Kelly Lock Memorial Dog Park opens in Tuscola
TUSCOLA MAYOR DANIEL KLEISS reveals the plaque for the Kelly Lock Memorial Dog Park Oct. 21, to mother Linda Lock. Photo by Dominik Stallings.
MAYOR DANIEL KLEISS cuts the ribbon to the Kelly Lock Memorial Dog Park Oct. 21. Accompanied by (left to right) 2022 Miss Tuscola Reggan Smith, Junior Miss Emma Spillman, 2022 Miss Moultrie-Douglas Julia Kirkhoff, Linda Lock’s sister, Linda Lock, and members of the Cabot Corporation. Photo by Dominik Stallings.
ZENOBIA NEAL throws the ball for black labrador Kimber during the Oct. 21 ribbon cutting ceremony for the Kelly Lock Memorial Park. Photo by Dominik Stallings.
The plaque for the Kelly Lock Memorial Dog Park. Photo by Dominik Stallings.
By Dominik Stallings
A longtime dream project came to fruition On Friday, Oct 20, when Mayor Daniel Kleiss cut the ribbon to Tuscola’s new Kelly Lock Memorial Dog Park in Ervin Park.
During the event, Mayor Kleiss revealed a new plaque on the eastern side of the park to Kelly Lock’s mother, Linda. The plaque depicts a photograph of Kelly with her beloved dog, Maggie Ann.
Construction for the dog park finished earlier this year and gave dogs a safe place to play and exercise. The park was funded by Kelly’s estate after she passed away from cancer in 2019. Lisa Sappenfield Boyer, financial advisor, helped Linda and her husband fund the project through Kelly’s estate.
“I’m sure Kelly is looking down on this beautiful day and is astonished,” said Linda. “She wanted a dog park for a long time. It’s her dream come true.”
Linda said she was left speechless by the event and was overcome by emotions.
Kelly’s sister, Donna Lock-Renfro said, “It is amazing. I just wish Kelly could run through with Maggie.”
The event was emotional for everyone involved. The Lock family and mayor Kleiss all had tears in their eyes as they told stories of Linda.
“She was a very dedicated and passionate person,” said Kleiss.
Kleiss remembered her love and dedication to animals and spoke about her life-long dream of a dog park in Tuscola. He remembered her coming into his office almost every week, asking if the city could build a dog park. Regretfully, Kleiss admitted that the city simply didn’t have the funds to build a dog park, but he would add it to the list.
“She was a great gal, tremendous person,” said Kleiss.
Linda said her daughter grew up loving all sorts of animals. She remembered speaking with the mother of a child Kelly played with. The mother admitted that they had to search Kelly every time she came into the house. Kelly snuck a toad into the house through her pocket.
“She was always bringing in bugs, worms, insects and snakes,” said Linda. “That was Kelly.”
Kelly’s former employer, Cabot Corporation, joined the event as well. Kelly regarded her workplace as her “Cabot family.” She was the safety, health and environmental administrative assistant for the chemical production company.
