It's an almost 25-mile drive each way from her North Andover home to the Derry Dog Park, and traffic can get nasty along the way.
But Schwalm would feel guilty is she didn't bring Jpeg, her always hyper Border Collie mix, to the park.
"I thought, 'Why isn't there a place closer?' We have 2,000 dogs in town," she said. "My dog has a lot of energy. Without being able to run around, she goes stir crazy."
Schwalm proposed placing a 90-foot-by-120-foot fenced-in dog park off Dale Street, in an unused corner of the Gallagher Field, to selectmen last month.
Selectmen agreed for the need for a dog park, gave Schwalm their blessing, but said the location probably wouldn't work. It's a memorial park dedicated to Marine Cpl. Sean R. Gallagher, who was killed 26 years ago during an attack in Beirut, Lebanon.
"I want to get in touch with his mother to see if Sean had a dog," Schwalm said. "I feel strongly it's a good spot."
Selectmen suggested Schwalm find another piece of town-owned land for the park. Oh, and she would have to raise any money to build it.
Most dog park proposals die at this stage.
But Schwalm is not letting one setback end her fight. She's been riding around town, looking for other locations, like the town farm, Osgood Landing and Sharpners Pond Road.
She created a Web site, www.northandoverdogpark.org.
"I've just been driving around North Andover looking at empty parcels of land, making a list," she said. "One by one, they're getting shot down, but that's fine. I only need one."
Location, location, location — that has been the main obstacle to dog park proponents over the years.
Proposals have popped up and just as quickly fizzled out. But lately they have gained some steam.
In Haverhill, a dog park committee has worked for almost a year to find a compatible spot for dogs to run free. They are proposing a trail area near Plug Pond, after neighbors protested putting a park by Winnekenni Castle.
In the past, plans have fizzled quickly.
A North Andover resident pushed for a dog park in 2007 and got selectmen's blessing, but with no luck pinpointing a site people could agree on, the proposal died. Similar things happened in Methuen and Andover. There was no money in town budgets and not enough push from the public to make it happen.
Vicki Kung, co-founder of dog park tracking site www.dogpark.com, said she has seen hundreds of parks open in the last few years.
There are at least 700 such parks across the country and more being built every day.
"The velocity of which new dog parks are opening is just amazing," Kung said. "There are more dog parks opening more frequently."
Kung credits better organization and more understanding of the issue.
"Early on, dog park advocates were treated as the lunatic fringe of recreational movement," Kung said. "It was dogs versus kids, but neither pay taxes. It's the adults who care for them."
With more and more parks appearing, it is also easier for dog park proponents to point to success stories. Knowing budgets are tight, people are ready to raise whatever money is needed to build a park, usually enough money for fencing and parking, anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000.
The canine community in Derry raised just $2,500 to convert an unused area next to the city's dog kennel years ago. The town maintains the popular spot through donations people put in a box outside the entrance.
People are ready to fundraise. All they need is land.
North Andover Selectmen Chairman Tracy Watson said finding the right place is the hardest part.
"We're helping in any way we can," she said. "They know we have no funds for this, and they say they can fundraise. Now, it's finding some possibly suitable parcels. That's the most difficult. ... I think there's a good chance this will happen, but certainly not overnight."
Lots of open space parcels have caveats attached.
Tracey Zysk, owner of Wiggles and Jiggles Pet Care, said a dog park would be a welcome change. She has already volunteered to help with fundraising and look for spots.
"My clients all want a dog park and have been mentioning this for years, so I am thrilled this is starting to take place," Zysk said. "It's going to be a process but it will be worth it."
She said it is important to incorporate socialization into a dog's routine.
"It's really important that they get to get off leash and socialize with other dogs," she said. "So from a dog owner perspective, this is awesome."
Dog park proposals fail when there's no communication, Kung said.
Neighbors have opposed parks, saying they would be too noisy, people wouldn't pick up dog excrement, and that dogs would fight.
"Some people think it's going to be nothing but one dogfight after another, one raucous mess after another," she said. "But it's all about responsible adult behavior."
For now, Schwalm makes the trek to Derry, or takes Jpeg to Weir Hill or the Stevens Estate for walks.
She's even travelled to Sommervile's dog park.
"It's been a little frustrating," Schwalm said. "I've never done anything like this. I feel a little over my head. ... I have no idea what I'm doing, but I have a four-legged reminder everyday that pushes me along."
Is it your pet's first time at a dog park?
Introduce your dog off-leash: If your dog is on the leash and unleashed dogs approach it, your dog might become nervous.
Find like-sized dogs: Find the right sized buddy, and your dog will be less likely intimidated or confused.
Pay attention to your dog: Some dogs get separation anxiety when they suddenly don't see their owners. Until the pup is comfortable playing on his own, stay close by.
Start small: If your dog is not used to social situations, try taking him to a park during off-peak hours the first couple times. Your pet is less likely to get nervous with only a few pooches around.
Closest dog park
Derry Dog Park, Fordway, off Route 102 (next to animal control), Derry, N.H.
