Lower Heidelberg dog park set to open Sept. 10

by Steve Reinbrecht

Dogs from Lower Heidelberg who want to run but need a fence to be safe are looking forward to the township’s dog park opening Saturday, Sept. 10.

All township dogs are invited to the opening celebration that day from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Soon, though, dogs will need to prove they have licenses and rabies shots to use the new park, at the township building at 720 Brownsville Road.

Their people will need to prove they live in Lower Heidelberg. Then they [the people] will get key-fobs -- little plastic strips with a code – to get through the dog-park gate.

Dogs will have almost an acre for romping. Small dogs get their own, smaller, section.

Christopher Leisey, a Boy Scout, is installing obstacles so dogs can practice agility skills.

Part of the park is designed to be an ice-skating rink in the winter, for people.

Township workers and volunteers did much of the work getting the park ready. The township paid a contractor to install the fence.

Owners must clean up after their dogs. Those who don’t risk having a surveillance camera observe the violation and having their key-fobs deactivated.

Dog parks are good for dogs, who get to run safely and play with other dogs. It’s good for people, too, who get to go outside and socialize.