Dog park construction breaks ground in Ebensburg
Project to include fencing, walking paths
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EBENSBURG -- It was all paws on deck Monday morning as local leaders and community members gathered for the official groundbreaking ceremony at the future Ebensburg Rotary Club Dog Park.
After years of planning, the highly anticipated dog park at Lake Rowena is coming to life with construction beginning this week.
The park will be located near the roller hockey rink at 952 Rowena Drive, Ebensburg, and will encompass about 1.5 acres -- with an enclosed section for larger dogs and another for smaller pets.
In addition, the enclosures are designed with no right angles to prevent dogs from being cornered by other dogs, officials said.
The park has been in the planning stages for about four years, said Phil Sutton, chairman of the Rotary dog park committee. The committee picked the Lake Rowena area for the dog park's location after learning Ebensburg would maintain it if it was built on borough property.
When work on the park is complete, it will be turned over the borough, Sutton said.
The idea came about when the Rotary club was looking to complete a major project for the community.
"There had been a growing interest over a 10-year period for a dog park," Sutton said, noting the borough was on board for the project.
A dog park is one recreational amenity that was lacking in the area, said Danea Koss, community development director.
"It is something our residents and community have embraced and are really looking forward to," she said.
"It puts us on the map," said Mayor Randy Datsko, "it will pull people in from nearby towns and hopefully have some economic benefits."
The dog park's location is pretty much ideal, Borough Manager Kelly Cook said, pointing out the lake setting and natural green space, as well as nearby picnic pavilions, a walking trail and baseball field. The Ebensburg Tennis Center is nearby, and the area offers fishing, kayaking and canoeing opportunities, too.
Club raises funds
Building a dog park isn't as simple as putting up some fences, organizers said, noting the Rotary club has been spearheading for several years the design and fundraising efforts.
In February, bids were opened, and Straw Construction was awarded the $268,000 project. The park is to be open by Oct. 31, but that date could be moved up if construction goes well.
"When I asked a representative from Straw Construction how long it will take to complete, he said maybe a month, so it could be finished as soon as Memorial Day," Datsko said.
The dog park will include 1,700 feet of fence, and 1,560 feet of walking paths, along with three water stations, a dog shower, waste stations, obstacles, benches and perimeter fencing.
Construction will involve installation of drainage lines, a new storm inlet, asphalt paving, concrete paving, installation of water appliances and associated utilities and yard work.
Nine new parking spaces, including one handicapped accessible, will also be included in the project.
In addition to fundraising and donations, the project received some grant money, including $112,000 in state funding to support the dog park.
"What is not in the contract is the park signs -- we are in the process of designing them and have to come up with another $1,000 for those," Sutton said.
It's hoped that once the park is complete, not only local residents will take advantage of the space, but visitors as well.
"This is really going to draw people from all over the area," said Ronnie Wilson, who joined the Rotary just to be involved in the planning of the dog park.
There are no membership fees and anyone can use the park, as long as they abide by a few rules, Wilson said.
Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations and they can't be aggressive. No food is allowed inside the dog park, which will be open daily from dawn to dusk.
Wilson said local residents have been waiting a long time for the park.
"This has been such a long time coming," Wilson said. "I have people who will stop me while I'm walking my dog and ask about the park."
Dog park committee member Jan Kuncelman said a place for dogs to exercise and play off their leashes was needed and she hopes the park will bring the community together.
"I hope they can enjoy another beautiful area for our town," she said.
Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith can be reached at 814-946-7535.