A Pawsitive Legacy: Chestermere Honors Steve King with Memorial Dog Park

The community celebrates the opening of the Steve King Memorial Dog Park, commemorating a beloved community volunteer and philanthropist’s enduring impact on Chestermere and beyond.

By Stephen Jeffrey

On a day marked by clear skies and warm smiles, Chestermere residents and the family of the late Steve King gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Steve King Memorial Dog Park. King’s wife, children, grandchildren, and their loyal dog Finn were present for the heartfelt ribbon-cutting ceremony, commemorating a man whose legacy in Chestermere endures through his profound impact on both human and animal lives.

Steve King, remembered for his extensive volunteer work with the Calgary and Chestermere food banks, Lions Club, and Lions Foundation for Dog Guides set a benchmark for community involvement. However, it was the founding of the Community Therapy Dogs Society in 2013 that underscored his deep understanding of the canine-human bond. “Helping people, one dog at a time,” King’s motto, reflects his lifelong mission that garnered him accolades, including a nomination for the 2018 Western Legacy Awards and the Chestermere Rotary Club 2020 Community Leadership & Volunteer Award.

The event wasn’t just a ceremonial inauguration but a community fête, with complimentary coffee from Tim Hortons and free dog swag from Pet Planet Chestermere Station. “This park embodies Steve’s spirit,” remarked a Community Therapy Dogs Society spokesperson. “It’s a space of joy, just as Steve would have wished. We’re immensely grateful to the Chestermere Lions Club, the City of Chestermere, and everyone whose generosity made this tribute possible.”

King’s influence radiated beyond Chestermere, illustrated by the innovative programs he initiated. “Listening Tails” began at the Chestermere Public Library in 2014, helping children bolster reading skills alongside attentive therapy dogs. The success was so resounding that “Visiting Tails” and “Caring Tails” were soon introduced, providing solace to seniors and stress relief in schools and workplaces, respectively.

From its humble beginnings, the reach of King’s vision has expanded astonishingly. Initiatives that started locally, like the inaugural “Listening Tails” at East Lake School, have since proliferated. By mid-2021, the society’s programs had marked their presence in forty-three schools, thirteen nursing homes, five hospitals, two libraries, and a hospice, courtesy of over 100 selfless volunteers and their therapy dogs.

The Steve King Memorial Dog Park is more than a recreational spot; it’s a manifestation of King’s enduring devotion to community welfare and his belief in the healing power of our four-legged friends. As dogs frolic and residents mingle, they’re not only sharing in communal joy but also honoring a man’s legacy etched in the very heart of Chestermere.