Named after Nicole Flanders’ late dog, Beau, who passed away from canine kidney disease, the park offers local dogs a place to play and socialize while spreading awareness about kidney disease in dogs, Flanders said.

“This park belongs to us, but most of all, it belongs to the dogs,” she said to the crowd. “The ones we have now, the ones we have loved and lost, and those that are still to come.”

After Beau’s death, Flanders partnered with Duncansville Borough last year to start a 5K run and 2K walk titled “[Un]leash the fun” to raise awareness about canine kidney disease and raise money for a future dog park.

“If Beau’s story can do anything, I hope it encourages one person to have more questions, to schedule a check-up or to notice small changes in their dog,” she said.

Bennett, a 4-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi owned by Susan Koronowski of Duncansville, runs free at the new Duncavsville dog park located at 601 Park Drive. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“Awareness can save lives,” Flanders said, and a dog in the crowd responded with a bark of approval.

With last summer’s turnout, she said they raised enough money to build a fenced-in dog park beside the borough’s Memorial Park on 601 Park Drive. They’re continuing the race on June 6 at Duncansville Memorial Park, and the proceeds will go toward funding dog water fountains.

She said creating the county’s first free dog park was an incredible journey, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the community’s help.

“Every donation, every shared post, every helping hand has brought this vision to life,” she said.

Beau’s dog park will continue celebrations until the grand opening from 2 to 5 p.m. on May 17, where dogs and owners can join a dog parade and a costume contest.

Teddy, a 11-week-old Golden Retriever, sits with his owner, Ron Grados of Duncansville, at the new Duncavsville dog park located at 601 Park Drive. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Making furry friends

Hollidaysburg Area High School student, Aran Corey, 16, helped the borough design the dog park using Onshape, a product development platform.

He grew up with dogs, which is why he wanted to do something special for his Eagle Scout project, he said. And the park is more than a project for him, as it will unite community members and their pets.

“This is for dogs to meet other dogs and for people to meet other people,” he said.

Linda Stotler, vice president of communications and marketing for the Blair County Chamber of Commerce, also said the park adds value to the growing community.

“It’s the chamber’s primary goal to make (Duncansville) more of a place where people want to move to come here,” she said, “and you need these resources to make that happen.”

Plus, she said local dogs without easy access to a backyard will have enough space to play freely inside a fenced space at Beau’s dog park.

“I think the pet owners themselves are going to enjoy the aspect that they can easily come here, let the dogs loose and enjoy themselves,” she said.

From what Flanders hears, she said the park has been busy since it opened to the public in November.

“Even with the colder days, I’ve seen people in here, and that’s fantastic,” said Jerrica Long, borough administrative executive and treasurer.

Duncansville resident Ron Grados brought his 11-week-old golden retriever, Teddy, to the dog park on Monday afternoon to support the county’s new pet-friendly space. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Teddy enjoyed running around with other dogs inside the fence.

Grados said he’s exposing Teddy to social situations so he doesn’t develop issues with other dogs later in life.

“Having the dog park is a cool thing to have,” he said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.