West End Regional Dog Park set to open soon

Work on the West End Regional Dog Park is almost finished, and the park may open as soon as this fall, depending on how fast the grass grows.

While some things still remain to be done, including hooking up the power, the major holdup is the grass, because it must grow enough that it can handle traffic, said park Executive Director Bernie Kozen.

“It’s really dependent on Mother Nature,” Kozen said.

The dog park, which has been under construction since this spring, is a 2.5-acre fenced-in park that will allow dogs to run free without leashes. It will be divided into three sections: one for small dogs, one for large dogs, and one that will be held in reserve for when one of the other sections is under maintenance.

The dog park is located at the western side of the park where the ground is level so that pet owners will be able to see their dogs at all times, Kozen said.

It will be equipped with park benches, picnic tables, water and amenities for the dogs, Kozen said.

Residents currently walk their dogs in the West End Regional Park and in the Chestnuthill Township and Ross Township parks, but they have to keep their pets leashed, Kozen said. The dog park will be big enough to accommodate them, with space for hundreds of dogs.

The dog park, which cost $230,000, is already totally funded, Kozen said. This money is going toward more than just the dog park, including stormwater controls, a parking lot, access to the area, water hookups and electric work. The money was provided through multiple grants and fundraising events.