Lebanon city breaks ground on county’s first dog park

Lebanon city broke ground on the county’s first dog park on Monday at Coleman Memorial Park.

It will be built at the former site of Gingrich Memorial Swimming Pool, and city officials say they hope it will be finished by the end of June.

Read More: Lebanon city solicits bids for dog park at Coleman Memorial Park; first in county

People and their dogs braved the rain to hear about the project and watch the groundbreaking.

Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello spoke before the dig. She said the idea for the park came from reaching out to the community to see what they would like to see in the city.

“A dog park offers numerous benefits,” she said to the crowd. “Specifically, they provide a safe and supervised environment for dogs to interact with other doggies, which is crucial for developing good social skills and also reducing aggression. Dogs can run, play, and explore freely, burning off energy and receiving stimulation, leading to better-behaved and happier pets.”

She said the city will check vaccination records before owners can gain access to the area. They are looking at implementing a “small administrative fee,” though they haven’t set a price yet.

Once someone has access to the park, there will be two gates before getting inside, according to Ann Yost, a landscape architect with YSM. Owners will go inside the first gate, close the door behind them and take their dogs off-leash, and then go through the next gate into the dog park.

She said there will be a small dog area and a large dog area.

For Yost, she said repurposing a community space is what makes the project exciting.

“One thing I really love about this project is you’re repurposing a beloved community space, so it’s going to get a new life,” she said. “Just looking around and seeing the flowering trees, this is a nice space to spend time outside.”

Capello also noted the impact the dog park will have on its human visitors.

“It’s also a great place for dog owners to meet and socialize themselves with other pet lovers, and it builds a sense of community,” Capello said. “Walking to and playing with their dogs at the park encourages owners to get outside and be active themselves. Spending time with their dogs and in nature can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being.”

There will be benches, trees for shade, lights, and water access for the dogs.

The city received a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for $102,000, used $175,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding, and used capital reserve money budgeted specifically for this site. However, those initial plans didn’t include the controlled access device costs, so they are asking for more local monetary support.

People can have dog bone signs hung on the fencing depending on the contribution amount.

“Top dog” contributors donate $25,000, “leader of the pack” contributors donate $10,000, “big bone” contributors donate $5,000, “paw partner” contributors donate $1,000, and “furry friend” contributors donate $250.