Montville — A committee of local residents is moving forward with plans to establish a dog park on the property of Camp Oakdale, and is now exploring fundraising opportunities.

Dog Park Committee Chairman Chris Lawton, a resident of Oakdale, first approached the town with the idea of creating a dog park about eight years ago. Lawton had dogs at the time and the closest dog park was 20 minutes away, in Norwich.

“I just thought it would be nice if we had something in our town, something that would be closer,” Lawton said.

In 2013 he heard from his wife, Kerri, a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, that some members of the commission had expressed interest in Montville having a dog park.

“I immediately just jumped up, threw my hand in the air (and) said I would like to be a part of this,” said Lawton.

The Town Council approved plans for a dog park late last year.

Lawton and Parks and Recreation Director Peter Bushway say the planned dog park will solve a few issues for Montville. Lawton noted that there was nowhere appropriate for residents to bring their dogs and just let them run around. With no space set aside for dogs, Bushway said residents end up bringing their dogs to the sports fields at Camp Oakdale.

One issue is that dogs may sometimes chase people, Lawton said. Another problem is that the dogs leave behind waste where children are playing, Bushway said.

“It’s becoming a problem, obviously,” Bushway said of the waste issue. “It’s a maintenance thing. It’s a safety issue for the fields.”

Lawton said the committee has agreed to create the dog park without using town funds. He estimated that the committee would need to raise about $25,000 to build a fence around a half-acre plot near the Camp Oakdale tennis courts at Simpson Lane and Route 163, and to level the ground in that area.

Area businesses and local residents already have pledged to donate about $2,000, according to Lawton. He said the committee is exploring the idea of holding a dog wash fundraiser in late spring or early summer, where people can bring their dogs to get them bathed in exchange for a donation.

The timing of the opening of the dog park will depend upon the success of fundraising efforts. Lawton said the committee is hoping to attract new members and volunteers to help make the park a reality.

“I’m hoping that by this time next year, there will be a park,” Lawton said.

t.townsend@theday.com

Twitter: @ConnecticuTess