A group of young professionals has formally kicked off its fundraising attempt to provide a fenced, off-leash dog park in Roanoke.

NewVa Connects announced its intention in October to raise $30,000 to fence in an acre at Fishburn Park in Southwest Roanoke.

The city opened a parcel in March 2007 where dogs could run off-leash. No fence, however, separates the park from Brambleton Avenue, which adjoins it.

If NewVa Connects can raise the $30,000, it would pay not only for "the creme de la creme of dog park fences," said spokeswoman Lauren Ellerman, but also for other amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, watering stations and mitts for waste disposal.

Fishburn Park's 18-hole disc-golf course would be unaffected by the dog park, Ellerman said.

Donations would be tax-exempt, and NewVa Connects is offering a variety of sponsorship levels, from Big Lick ($5 to $299) up to Top Dog (the full $30,000).

The group is working on the project with the city, which maintains Fishburn Park.

"If we can come up with the funds, the city will continue to maintain the area: grass, mulch, police it for cleanliness, and they'll use city crews to install the fence," said Vickie McCormick, who is on the dog park steering committee.

NewVa Connects aims to raise the money by June 1.

The deadline was set, Ellerman said, with the intent to "get the fence up by summer so it would start getting used immediately."

For more information, go to NewVa Connect's dog park Web site at www.roanokedogpark.com.

-- Mason Adams