On the Lake Realty business owner Karen Millikan, an established real estate agent and also a Rarity Bay resident, regularly shows the dog park to prospective buyers as the community’s latest and most attractive amenity for dog owners. Karen told us, “As a realtor in the community, I feel the Dog Park of Rarity Bay is a true asset for the community and is a key element in the decision making process of today's buyers. A HUGE percentage of prospective buyers have ‘furry family members’ and are impressed with the private, community dog park … it makes a positive impression to influence their decision to buy in Rarity Bay … it’s more than a dog park with community park-like features, it also adds value to the community and provides its residents informal gatherings.”
Another independent real estate agent, Luke Noe, owner of Rarity Bay Real Estate Company Inc., has also found prospects expressing similar enthusiasm about the dog park. Luke says, “The Dog Park of Rarity Bay is an instrumental amenity in selling Rarity Bay. A lot of the clientele considering Rarity Bay are empty nesters who now have dogs to help fill that emptiness in their family home. The family “friend” being comfortable and enjoying life at Rarity Bay is a significant part of the decision for several Rarity Bay prospective buyers. Recently, we had a nice couple from Fredericksburg, VA and the Dog Park of Rarity Bay played a major emphasis for them purchasing in Rarity Bay, and they intend on building very soon.”
Dog owners in the Rarity Bay Community anticipated the need for a dog park back in 2008. Soon residents with dogs created a plan to build one for the purposes of safety, convenience, and a neighborhood park-like setting for social use. Volunteers not only constructed this private park, but also raised over $40,000 to build what is now a premier dog park tailored to match American Kennel Club design standards for dog socialization and safety. Members subsequently wanted more than a simple dog park so added features such as covered patios, handicap access, in-ground irrigation, golf cart parking, and landscaping that aligned with the design requirements of the residential community. It’s become a convenient, inviting location for residents to gather for events and comfortable seating for neighbor conversations. The dog park’s common name is “Rusty’s Place” in memory of a benefactor’s beloved late Rottweiler.
Today the finances and operations of Rusty’s Place are managed by its own Board of Directors with many resident volunteers providing leadership, fundraising, and overall management. The Rarity Bay Community Association Inc., Board of Directors supports the amenity with the lease of property and general guidance for this new and popular amenity which has become another gem to this unique community. The 2013 Dog Park of Rarity Bay President, Marlene Eeg, says “the community has really rallied to support the development of this dog park. Some residents who are non-dog owners even stop by just to visit and enjoy the park. While other residents have visiting family members with dogs who can also use the dog park with basic registration and proof of rabies for health and safety purposes.”
About Rarity Bay Community Association, Inc.:
Rarity Bay CAI is the legal governing entity for the Rarity Bay community. Rarity Bay is a premier residential lifestyle and lake front community located in Vonore, Tennessee on Lake Tellico with views of the Smoky Mountains. Rarity Bay opened for business in 1994 and offers spectacular views, a wide variety of housing options plus an active lifestyle of golf, boating, equestrian, walking trails, tennis, cards, pool, shuffleboard, along with a vast number of other fun activities and volunteer opportunities.
Rarity Bay
Vonore, Tennessee
