Long-awaited dog park opens this weekend

“We’re just so excited that we’re opening the dog park,” Dog Park Committee member Viki Davis said. “Oh my gosh, this has been a long, hard road and I am so excited to finally get it open.”

The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony. 

There will be dogs up for adoption, door prizes and other activities throughout the day. 

The dog park, initiated by Davis, is intended to give dogs in the area a safe place to play and exercise. 

“I have two Great Danes, and I had no place that was safe for me to take them and run them,“ she said. “When I say safe, you know, a fenced area where I don’t have to worry about them running in the street or running down some passer that’s walking by so that was my inspiration for the dog park.” 

The Daleville Chamber of Commerce organized a dog park committee in August 2011, and the committee has been working hard ever since to get it done. The last work day on the park was Nov. 3.

Volunteers from Fort Rucker warrant officer flight classes, the 1st Battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment and Daleville High School JROTC have helped along the way with clearing the land, laying mulch, planting trees and bushes and installing waste stations and signs.

Daleville High School JROTC cadet Delia White said volunteering was a lot of fun.

“We had a lot of fun getting our hands dirty,” she said. “It was pretty cool. We did a lot of stuff there.”

White said it feels great to be part of something in the community everyone and their dogs can finally enjoy. 

“It’s like going back (and thinking), ‘Hey I was apart of that.’”  

Davis said everyone who has helped has been amazing and really instrumental toward completing the project.

“It’s just been a wonderful process seeing the community come together to support it and make it happen,” she said.

The dog park, located at 351 Old Highway 134 in Daleville, is 245 feet by 75 feet and includes a small-dog fence, a large-dog fence and an off-the-leash area.

Funds for the dog park came from private donations, sponsors and fundraisers. 

“I am just very excited,” Davis said. “We’re ready to open. I think it’s going to be a great amenity to the community of Daleville and to the Wiregrass.”

During the grand opening, the dog park committee will also have brick pavers for sale for anyone who is interested. The brick pavers are in memory of or to honor a beloved pet. Orders can be placed at the Daleville Chamber of Commerce or by calling 334-598-6331.