Pressing Paws Bark Park gets official sign, holds first ‘meet and greet’

It wasn’t a traditional ribbon cutting but the Enterprise Bark Park marked its opening with a “Meet and Greet” Wednesday afternoon and the official posting of the park’s rule board three days later.

Located near the entrance to the Enterprise Recreational Complex on Highway 167, the dog park has been a work in progress since a group of interested citizens began to turn their dream into a reality nearly two years ago.

The fenced in area now has two separate areas – one for smaller dogs and one for bigger dogs. Plans include sun screening similar to that on the children’s playground part of the park, water fountains and benches.

“Since the park unofficially opened in December 2014, a lot of people are using it, especially on weekends,” said Bark Park Committee Member Brian Swensen. “We planned this meet and greet as a way to keep the public interest up while we continue to raise money for the other projects we need.

“Right now, temperatures are moderate,” Swensen said. “But the only shade in the large dog area is one tree. When summer comes, we are going to need shade so we’re trying to raise money to buy sun screens similar to what is on the children’s playground.”

The Bark Park Committee recently purchased four concrete trash cans, which weigh up to 300 pounds each, Swensen said. “Once we have everything in place, the city will maintain it so we are appreciative of that.”

Brian Gengler from Boy Scout Troop 53 was organizer of the volunteer workers braving the windy weather Saturday morning. Erecting the sign displaying the rules and regulations for park use, laying the concrete pads for the concrete trash cans and installing reflective markers for safety are all part of his Eagle Scout project, he said.

The 17-year-old son of Marcus and Dixie Gengler said that he learned about the Bark Park from a church member. “I thought it was amazing,” he said with a grin. “I love dogs and I think that having a dog park here in the City of Enterprise is great.”

Matthew Johns agreed. The 11-year-old Holly Hill sixth grader brought his green-eyed chocolate lab, Bella, to the meet and greet. “I think this dog park is great,” the son of Becky and Mike Johns said. Bella goes to obedience training and does have a back yard but “she gets pretty mischievous there.”

Gengler is planning a 5K Dog Run and Walk March 21 to be held at the park. It is open to runners, with or without their four legged friends, he said, adding that details will be forthcoming.

There will be a Bark Park Committee Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. at the M.N. “Jug” Brown Recreation Center on Lee Street in Enterprise. Everyone is invited and welcome, said Bark Park Committee Member Erin Seitzinger.

“This Bark Park is a great thing for families and for the socialization of dogs,” Seitzinger said. “If you look around Enterprise, it’s not just single family homes any more—there are a lot of townhouses and apartments.”

Tax deductible donations can be made to the Enterprise Chamber Foundation, Enterprise Dog Park, P.O. Box 310795, Enterprise, Ala., 36331,” Seitzinger said. “The fences are up, the sign is up but we need more donations—this is the first step.”