Roseanne Conrad walks her Keeshond, J’Hett, through the agility area at Blair County Dog Park in Martinsburg in October 2023. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

The Blair County Dog Park Association is launching a campaign to raise $30,000 to replace the fencing at their 10-acre site off Agway Road in Martinsburg.

The dog park, which was built and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2012, primarily serves the Blair County area. Members from surrounding counties have benefited from use of the park as well, organizers said, noting the land, which had been rented from a family for more than 10 years, was purchased by the park about three years ago through donations and special gifts.

“Last year, we had a stall in operation to accommodate the replacement of a major gas line by Texas Eastern,” said Roseanne Conrad, dog park president. The excavation, replacement and clean up compromised the operation of the park for most of 2025.

“During that time, the board had the chance to evaluate and discuss the need for replacement of the fencing that had deteriorated through the years, including freeze-thaw issues with the 370 posts that support the fencing,” Conrad said.

According to Conrad, major gaps at the bottom of the fencing are a serious safety issue.

The board received three quotes from fence installation companies and has voted to go with the low bid from a Martinsburg-based company.

“Fifteen years ago, when we were building the dog park, we relied on volunteers to build the park and install the fencing, so we had minimal labor costs. Building something new is much more exciting to people than maintaining or renovating something existing,” Conrad said. “As a result, the park board has found it necessary to obtain bids from professional fence installers.”

The board is applying for grants through various agencies to help fund the project but is also seeking donations that are tax-deductible. Donations may be sent to The Blair County Dog Park Association, c/o Treasurer, P.O. Box 191, Martinsburg, PA 16662.

In addition to primary donations, the park is offering a fence section sponsorship of $100 per fence section, or $500 per gate sponsorship. These sponsorships will be acknowledged with a metal sign on the sponsored fence or gate and will remain for 5 years.

The deteriorating bluebird and field swallow houses will be replaced with new ones, Conrad said, adding that the dog park grounds offer an excellent environment for many bird species. The park is also looking into adding purple martin houses on the property.

The Blair County Dog Park serves a need in the area for owners of dogs of all sizes. The park is sectioned off into a small dog area, a large dog area, a half-acre run and a confidence course. The park receives no funding from the local or county government. As a result, an annual membership fee is required for those who use the park. This fee helps to pay for insurance, taxes, gas for the mower, road maintenance and other costs. Volunteers maintain the grounds and storage sheds located on the property.

“The dog park is very safe, and we certainly have not had issues that free or municipal dog parks may have due to our membership-based structure,” said Bill Lewis, vice president of the board.