The newest dog park is also ‘a place where we can continue to bond as a community,’ County Administrator Vince Long said.
Leon County unleashed the hounds as they welcomed pups and ‘paw’rents alike to the grand opening of its new dog park at Apalachee Regional Park.
Local residents and county commissioners both brought their four-legged friends with them the morning of May 6 to be a part of the ribbon cutting and get the chance to experience the park. Guests were treated to cupcakes or ‘pupcakes,’ and dog owners walked away with several freebees for their animals.
“If I had a tail, I’d be wagging it right now,” County Administrator Vince Long said. “It’s another place where we can connect with our pets, with our dogs, but it’s a place where we can continue to bond as a community.”
District 5 County Commissioner David O’Keefe said he brought his dogs the week before to break in the park and test out the agility course.
His pups gave it two paws up, he said.
The dog park is two acres and split into two sections, one for small dogs and the other for large breeds. Both have a red fake fire hydrant in the center, as well as dog toys for park use only. There are covered pavilions with benches, water fountains for all guests, trash cans and dog waste bags, and a wash station.
After some barks of excitement, the ribbon was cut and the dogs were free to run wild; there were dog prints in the concrete leading the way.
The bigger dogs made use of their space, racing around each other. The smaller dogs were more calm but some made, well, quick use of the fire hydrant.
A Tallahassee Democrat reporter spoke to some pet families, and even dogs themselves, to see how they felt about the park.
Karen Ball and Emily Ball brought family dog Chipper: “It’s a nice place, it’s close by, it’ll be easy to bring him here and the agility course will be great for him to run off some of that (labrador) energy,” Emily said.
Chipper gave excited pants, as if to say he can’t wait to visit again and again.
Sid Campos brought Lola with him, who was running around with Chipper throughout the event. “I love it … any type of community thing in Tallahassee, I get excited,” Campos said while Lola panted. “This is great for the both of us.”
Arianna Otero is the trending and breaking news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero.
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