News

May 2, 2008

A ‘ruff’ start, but park now reality

Leadership Wilkes-Barre group develops Luzerne County’s first dog park.

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WEST PITTSTON – Now every dog will have his day. In the park, that is.

A group of 11 Leadership Wilkes-Barre program participants had a dream to construct Luzerne County’s first dog park. Up until a few months ago, the location still wasn’t secured.

The group worked with the West Pittston Borough Council to convert a small parcel behind the municipal building into the canine gathering spot.

“We put up a 6-foot-high fence around the park, and now we’re installing a gravel walkway and we’ve painted two hydrants to put in the park too,” group member Amy Hetro said.

They planted a shade tree and hope to install play equipment for the pooches, as well as tables and benches for owners.

“It was hard to find land, but we prepared a presentation to council, with the pros and cons of a dog park, and the following week the council voted unanimously,” Hetro said.

When the work is completed, an opening-day celebration will be held May 10, complete with a ribbon-cutting, dog parade and costume contest, and an Adopt-a-Pet event sponsored by the Luzerne County SPCA.

“We hope the SPCA continues to hold those events in the future,” Hetro said. “We’ve even had people tell us they’re going to have their dog’s birthday at the park.”

Hetro said the park would not have become a reality if not for dog.com, a Hazleton-based, Internet pet-supply business that donated half of the fencing.

“And Action Fence gave us a good price (on installation, labor). We wouldn’t have been able to complete this park without either of them,” she said.

Leadership Wilkes-Barre participants are required to complete projects with in-kind and monetary donations. Other projects include a bus trip for World War II veterans, a blood drive, a downtown mural and assisting the Osterhout Free Library with its Parsons branch.

Hetro said she and other group members – Ann Marie Healey, Dawn Begley, Eric McCabe, Eric Hetsko, Jill VonLumm, Bridget Giunta, Mark Paczewski, Russ Mehnert, Ed Raver and Nicole Krushnowski – have spent many hours working at the park. They’re glad to see it come together.

“When we started, we didn’t realize the task ahead of us,” Hetro said. “The dog park has been in the works for a long time, and a lot of money was needed to get here. But now, dog owners have a place where they can take their dogs. And the dogs can run off the leash legally.”

In recent weeks, the group, which dubbed itself the “Woof! Pack,” held a Concert 4 Paw, which raised $3,000. The event featured raffles and bands playing at a local restaurant.

“I’m thrilled that’s it’s finally coming together,” Hetro said.

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