Mayor Linda Gorton, Councilmember Kathy Plomin and members of the Greer family, donors to the park, were among those who cut a ribbon today to officially open a new dog park at Veterans Park.
“Load up your pups … we’re unleashing a new dog park in Lexington,” Gorton said. “Dog parks have been a passion of mine for many years. I know dog owners and their pets are excited to get their paws on this exciting new park, a highly anticipated addition to Veterans Park.”
Gorton, an active member of the Friends of the Dog Park, helped establish the first dog park in Lexington, and has been instrumental in the development of dog parks across the city.
The new dog park at Veterans Park is made possible through a generous private donation from the Greer family.
“Dog parks are one of the most requested and valued amenities that our city provides,” said Councilmember Kathy Plomin, whose district includes part of Veterans Park. “This dog park is unique as it is the result of a private-public partnership. The city had the land available in Veterans Park and a private donor had the resources to fund it. There is no other dog park like it in the city! I am so glad that it is nearby to be used by the surrounding neighborhoods that both Councilmember Susan Lamb and I represent.”
Lamb was unable to attend today’s news conference. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Greer Family for the generosity that made this facility possible,” Lamb said. “I would also like to thank Councilmember Kathy Plomin for her involvement, and thank our Parks & Recreation team for their leadership and for seeing this project to completion. This dog park is a perfect example of the success our community benefits from when a private-public partnership is formed. The addition of this facility provides an incredible opportunity for our community to gather in nature and to bond over something they love – their dogs. I am eager to see dog ears flopping and people smiling as result of these efforts. Thank you, to everyone involved.”
The dog park in Veterans Park is the seventh city dog park in Lexington. Other dog parks are located in Coldstream, Jacobson, Masterson, Phoenix, Pleasant Ridge, and Wellington parks. The new park boasts 4 acres in a single paddock, with an accessible water fountain including pet bowls. The park will have over 90 additional trees planted this fall as part of Plant the Planet initiative.
“Each dog park has its own unique characteristics, and the one at Veterans Park is no different,” Parks & Recreation Director, Monica Conrad said. “Beautiful, stained fences and a variety of artistic silhouettes really make this dog park stand out from the rest. Parks & Recreation loves our dog parks, and we’re working hard to expand and meet the needs of owners. This is just another example of that fruit coming to bear, or rather… to bark.”
Parks & Recreation, a Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government division, oversees the programming, maintenance, and development of over 100 city parks and natural areas, six pools, five golf courses, community centers, recreational programs, and three arts venues. To find out more, follow @LexKYParks on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or sign up for the email newsletter.
