NORWICH – The City of Norwich joint committees passed a motion to further consider the idea of a dog park at its meeting Tuesday at the request of guest speaker and Norwich High School senior Hannah Baker.

Baker has been actively working to create a dog park in the City of Norwich since September. So far she has raised $3,500 towards the efforts, and on Tuesday, she presented the joint committees with proposed rules for the dog park aligned with the City of Norwich Animal Control Rules, as well as preliminary drawings for the park from engineers at Chobani, and evidence that the park would be safe from flood zones.

"The main reason is because I think dogs need a plot where they can run free and also [a place] to help bring the community together," said Baker, who has proposed the location of Greenway Park by Chenango River off of River Street.

Baker said she raised the funds through Saturdays in the Park with Chobani, two Nina's Give Back Nights, a GoFundMe page, and bottle drives. She said she has spoken with NBT Bank CEO John Watt, Jr., who has pledged to match funds for the dog park.