The long-awaited dog park in Yellow Springs will become a reality in September thanks to donations from Yellow Spring High School graduate, lifelong resident, entrepreneur and philanthropist David Butcher; philanthropist and dog enthusiast Richard Lapedes; contributions from villager Linda Rudawski and others; and guidance from Wagtown founder Beth Miller.
Based in Centerville, Wagtown is a nonprofit that works to establish dog-friendly neighborhoods and parks. Groundbreaking for the Yellow Springs Dog Park will be Tuesday, May 18 at 2 p.m.
Located at the southernmost point of Gaunt Park, the “Yellow Springs SMART Dog Park” sits 1.3 acres of previously unused land. When it opens, the dog park will be encased in chain link fencing that will separate it from the adjacent Gaunt Park and surrounding farmland. The park will offer canines and their companions a scenic view of the village’s southern stretch.
Wagtown’s plans show that the Yellow Springs Dog Park will be a “S.M.A.R.T. Dog Park,” which is designed to establish behavioral standards for humans and dogs alike. The acronym stands for safety, manners, awareness, responsibility and training.
“At the end of the day, this is going to be so much more than just a dog park,” Miller said. “It’s being designed to reflect the values of Yellow Springs. We want the Yellow Springs Dog Park to share in the cultural, environmental and social priorities of the community.”
You can learn more about the Yellow Springs Dog Park and discover how to get involved by visiting the Yellow Springs Dog Park project page.
