ASHLAND – Ashland’s new dog park was full of smiling faces and wagging tails Saturday as the city officially opened the facility.
Dozens of dog owners and their four-legged friends attended the grand opening of the park, which is located at Brookside West.
“It’s so great to see all of the different breeds and sizes and shapes and colors and personalities we have running around here,” mayor Matt Miller said. “So far it seems to be a peaceful environment.”
Miller said the idea to create a dog park in Ashland came from city residents. The park came to fruition under the leadership of the city’s parks and recreation director, Jason Counts.
The park was funded in part by a $5,000 contribution from PetValu, where Ashland store manager Jennifer Saltz worked with Counts and the store’s corporate office to facilitate a sponsorship of the park.
“We’re super, super excited about the opportunity,” Saltz said. “We hope to have a lot of events out here and do fun things in the future. We’ll partner up (with the city) to do great things for dogs and families.”
PetValu brought a mascot to the event and also provided a raffle basket and treat bags for the first 100 guests.
The dog park marks the fourth new facility in Ashland’s parks this summer as the city and its partners recently opened a new mountain bike trail, new tennis courts and a new golf course pavillion.
“There is a common theme in all these grand openings we’re having in the city of Ashland,” Miller said. “It’s not just the city government that’s making them happen, it is a combination of the city government working with those in the private sector to make it happen.”
Miller said he believes there are no longer limits for Ashland.
“Hopefully by now, your perspective is starting to change about the great city of Ashland,” he said. “We want you to wake up every day and think about the possibilities of what can be in your hometown.’
“If you can come up with a creative idea for how we can make this great city even more liveable, a better place to raise your family, someplace more enjoyable for you to grow old in, you let us know. Our eyes and ears are open to every idea you bring before us.”
