Every now and again someone comes up with an idea that just makes you think, "Why haven't we had this already?"

I got that sense hearing about the Friends for a Hays Dog Park organization this week.

I'm dog people. I've owned a dog since I got my first place 15 years ago. Then I lived in Columbia, Mo., which had multiple dog parks. It was great taking my dog out, meeting other dog owners, enjoying the sun and letting my dog run around with other dogs that were just as excited as he was. Meeting other dog owners, who are just about always good people, was a great side benefit, too. I loved those days at the dog park, and they were part of the reason Columbia was regularly named one of the best cities in which to live in the U.S.

Hays is a great family town, and family towns ought to be dog-friendly ones, too. I'd love to take my yellow lab out to a dog park right here in town. The Friends for a Hays Dog Park agree, and they're willing to put forth the effort to make it happen. On July 26, the group is hosting an informational meeting at the Hays Public Library. They've put a blog together at friendsofthehaysdogpark.wordpress.com.

The group does need some help, which is where we all come in. The city would have to donate land, which should not be a significant issue, especially if dog owners express how much we'd like to have a dog park in Hays. The park also needs to be funded, but we don't have to rely on the city for that. Building the park would take about only $33,000 based on Friends for a Hays Dog Park's estimates. Private donations are needed, and I hope you'll join my family in donating to the cause.

A number of other Kansas communities have dog parks: Emporia, Hutchinson, Salina and Great Bend, just to name a few. I think it's about time we add Hays to that list.

Chapman Rackaway is an associate professor of political science at Fort Hays State University.