PADDOCK LAKE — Canines, kids and Santa Claus cavorted Saturday at a temporary off-leash dog park here as a fundraiser to establish permanent ones.

Dozens of dog owners and their pets visited Old Settlers Park for photos with St. Nick, played by event organizer John Rudie, who is general manger of Kenosha County park operations.

The canines also romped freely — and happily — around the provisionally fenced 2-acre site, creating a staccato chorus of barks and yelps.

The recommended donation for the dog-and-Santa pictures was $5 (use of the park is free). Proceeds will benefit efforts to build permanent dog parks at Petrifying Springs Park in Somers and a new park under development along Highway KD in Randall and Wheatland.

A second temporary dog park has opened at Area 3 of Petrifying Springs Park, 761 Green Bay Road, Somers, where another fundraiser — also with Santa — is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 12.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm about the dog parks,” Rudie said during a break from the multiple mini-portrait sessions. “The dogs are interacting out there, and they’re doing really well. This is wonderful.”

Enthusiasm ran high for the photos, too.

“Everybody wants to get their dog in a picture with Santa,” the jolly Rudie said.

Mike Adam, of Wheatland, came with his 9-year-old twin sons, Austin and Tyler, and the family’s golden retriever, Bentley.

The boys and Bentley posed for a picture with Santa after Bentley raced around the open field with several instantly made pooch pals.

“We support having dog parks in Kenosha County,” Mike Adam said. “It’s good exercise for the dogs, and it’s a great idea. The dogs are off-leash and can run around in a secure area.”

Fred Anderson brought his three basset hounds — Queenie, Dutchess and Deuce — to the festivities.

“A basset hound by itself is not really happy,” Anderson said. “You have to have at least two.”

He’s hoping the permanent parks soon become a reality.

“These guys have a fenced yard, but the socialization with other dogs out here is great,” he said. “Basset hounds are social animals. The more dogs the merrier. This is a real treat for them.”

Elizabeth and George Sage, of Bristol, watched as their golden retriever, Lincoln, sped around the premises, playfully chasing other dogs.

The couple was unaware of this facility until they drove by — on their way to a dog park in Burlington.

“It would be great to have a dog park here permanently,” Elizabeth said. “This is so much closer than the one we frequent in Burlington. A dog park is a wonderful asset to the community.”

George Sage agreed.

“The dogs get a lot of activity,” he said. “They interact with other dogs and learn how to get along. It really is good for them.”