In a move sure to get tails wagging all across Bonney Lake, the city os moving closer to making the dog park at Viking Park an official and permanent part of the city’s landscape.

The park, a project created primarily through the volunteer efforts of citizens and businesses, was originally designated a temporary location with a one-year trial run.

The park opened in September 2010 and has been very popular with residents and their canine pals.

Because of its popularity, the city council is primed to make the park official and permanent. During a workshop meeting Jan. 17, the council began discussions of the process necessary.

Originally, the administration proposed sending the issue to the park board for a recommendation.

The council, however, was unsure of the necessity of the move, since the park board was originally against the creation of the park and the council seemed set on making the dog park official anyway.

City Administrator Don Morrison said this was the reason the city had a park board, but even Mayor Neil Johnson said he was unsure of the need to take it back before the board since the “public has spoken” on the dog park  and response has been mostly positive, save a few residents of the neighborhood whose peace has been disturbed by barking dogs and their owner’s vehicles.

“We’re finishing action, we’re not starting action,” Johnson said, explaining why he did not think it was necessary to send the issue to the park board.

Other members felt the park board should weigh in because there are several new members on the board and because this was the process set up.

Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman, who was a major proponent of the park, said he felt the dog park had already been through the process and that it would be important for the park board to focus on ways to improve the park or if improvements are necessary.

Swatman also said he did not think there was much chance the council would close the park, so it was unnecessary to send it back to the park board.

The council tabled the issue for further discussion.