Donation

Help us bring an amazing dog park/community space to Oakland.

Why this project matters so much not just for Paws & Pasture, but for the Riverside Community, and for Oakland, and for the future of our small town.

The truth is simple: small towns don’t stay strong by accident. They stay strong because people choose to invest in them—because neighbors decide that their community is worth fighting for, worth growing, worth believing in.

The Paws & Pasture Community Space is not just a project. It is a promise. A promise that Oakland and the Riverside Community will continue to be places where families feel welcome, where children can play safely, where local growers can thrive, and where community isn’t just a word—it’s a lived experience.

This space matters because our town deserves a heartbeat again.

🌾 Why This Space Is So Important for Oakland & the Riverside Community

1. Because our small towns need places that bring people together.

Right now, Oakland doesn’t have many central gathering spaces—places where families can spend an afternoon, where kids can run freely, where seniors can sit and enjoy the sunshine, where pets can play safely, and where neighbors can reconnect.

This space becomes that place. A place where community isn’t something we talk about—it’s something we feel.

2. Because younger families are looking for towns that feel alive.

Families today want walkable green spaces, dog parks, farmers markets, and community events. They want towns that feel vibrant, welcoming, and full of opportunity.

If we want Oakland to grow, if we want the Riverside Community to thrive, we must create the kind of amenities that make families say: “This is where I want to raise my kids.”

3. Because our local farmers, makers, and small businesses deserve a home.

A farmers and vendor market gives local growers, bakers, crafters, and youth entrepreneurs a place to shine. It keeps money in the community. It strengthens rural identity. It builds pride.

This market becomes a lifeline for small businesses—and a magnet for visitors.

4. Because pets are family, and families need pet‑friendly spaces.

The dog park isn’t just a fenced area. It’s a symbol of modern community living. It’s a place where people meet, where friendships form, where dogs play, and where families feel welcome.

It honors the bond between people and their pets. It honors the heart of what Paws & Pasture was built for, local community members who not only care about their pets & animals but more importantly giving back to the community that means so much to us.

5. Because this space gives Oakland something to be proud of.

A beautiful green space, a thriving market, a safe dog park—these are the kinds of amenities that make a town feel whole. They create tradition. They create memories. They create belonging.

This project tells the world: Oakland is growing. Oakland is investing in its future. Oakland is worth coming home to.

🧡 Why It Matters to Paws & Pasture

Paws & Pasture has always been more than just a store for us. It’s was meant as a way for us to give back just a little to the community that has meant so much to us.We wanted a place that our neighbors & friends could come in and have honest conversations about what is best for the animals that mean so much.Our goal is to be there for the next 40 years in the same ways that it has been for the 40 years before us.Hildebrand wanted a space to ensure that all our area farmers have access to quality feed locally.A place where everyone felt welcome and where you could get quality, reliable advice.

Now, as Paws & Pasture we thrive to show that same level of reliability and quality while also working to be a safe haven, for local animal lovers to come in and find quality feed & supplies and openly discuss issues to find the best path to support our area animals.

Our goal is to always be a valued community partner. A business built on heart, service, and connection.

This space allows Paws & Pasture to expand that mission—to serve families, pets, farmers, and neighbors in a deeper, more meaningful way. It allows the store to be a catalyst for community growth, not just a participant in it.

It honors the legacy of all of our past loved ones, even the furry ones. It celebrates the joy of animal love & support. It reflects the values that Paws & Pasture stands for: community, compassion, and connection.

🌟 Why It Matters to the Riverside Community

Riverside has always been a place defined by resilience, tradition, and pride. But like many rural areas, it needs spaces that bring people together—spaces that spark joy, encourage gathering, and strengthen relationships.

This project gives Riverside:

• A place for families to gather
• A place for pets to play
• A place for farmers to sell
• A place for children to grow
• A place for seniors to connect
• A place for memories to be made

It becomes a shared asset—something everyone can use, enjoy, and feel proud of.

🌱 Why It Matters to Oakland’s Future

Because small towns don’t grow by accident. They grow because someone decides to plant something worth tending.

This space is that seed. A seed of hope. A seed of growth. A seed of community.

It is a place that will outlive us. A place that will serve generations. A place that will remind people why small towns matter.

💬 A Final Plea

Oakland deserves this. The Riverside Community deserves this. Our families deserve this. Our future deserves this.

This space is not just a project—it is a gift. A gift to the people who live here now. A gift to the families who will move here tomorrow. A gift to the generations who will grow up calling Oakland home.

Your support—your land, your donation, your belief—makes this possible. Together, we can build something beautiful. Something lasting. Something that honors the past and inspires the future.

This is our chance to give Oakland a place where community truly lives.