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Woman Works to Keep Bark in Park

Calling Harriet Plavoukos the godmother of Spencer's Run wouldn't be far off the mark. The popular dog recreation area, considered perhaps the best in the county, is a fenced 1.5 acres of land on a gently sloping hillside on the western border of New Canaan's Waveny Park.

Dotted with large trees that keep it cool on the hottest days, it has such amenities as a double-gated entrance and exit, benches and chairs for dog owners to rest while watching their charges, and a drinking fountain with a special canine-level bowl and spigot.

A dedicated dog park was a dream of Plavoukos's husband Spencer, who was a driving force in getting approval and initial funding for it. When he and his yellow Labrador, Bo, were killed by a motor vehicle in 2005, members of the dog park committee decided the best way to honor his memory was to name the facility after him.

Although a dog park is a fairly low-maintenance, passive-activity area — if you consider dozens of running dogs passive — there are some costs to in keeping it going. The first annual Walk for the Run will be held at noon Sunday to raise funds for the park's endowment as well as for improvements and special projects there.

The walk through the trails of Waveny is just less than a mile. Family members of all ages, as well as their dogs, are invited to attend for a single $35 registration fee. "We hope everyone who uses the run will participate," said Plavoukos. "It's just a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. ... Afterward, we'll have cider and bones for people and dogs."

For further information check out the Spencer's Run website.

Hoyt Livery nominated Plavoukos as a Local Hero. For each nominee from an annual visibility package partner, Main Street Connect makes a donation to a local charity fund.

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