STEWIACKE, N.S. — Dogs in Stewiacke will soon have a lot to bark about.
Plans are in the works for an off-leash dog park – to be called, appropriately enough, The Barking Lot. It will be developed next to the soccer field at the Stewiacke Recreation Grounds.
“We’re aiming to have it ready for early summer, but a lot depends on weather,” said Heather Hamilton, chair of the Stewiacke Barking Lot Association.
“I see someone walking a dog just about every time I go through Stewiacke, so I think this will get a lot of use.”
The association is working on an agreement with the Town of Stewiacke, which owns the land.
“The town will do things like mow grass, but we’ll be the managers of the park,” said Hamilton. “When the weather is suitable, we’ll start clearing brush. We’ll retain some trees and put in a couple of benches, bag dispensers and garbage cans. We’ll put up fencing and have a small dog section.”
The park will cover about two acres. The Stewiacke River can be seen from the back end but there will be no wet area inside the park.
Hamilton’s Manchester terriers – one standard and one toy – aren’t fond of cold weather but she hopes to get them to the park during the summer.
“I’ve taken them to the park in Truro, and some people are travelling to Truro with their dogs a lot,” she said. “It’ll be nice to get to a park without driving half an hour or more.
“There’s a trail from Mastodon Ridge to the park so it’s great for visitors and residents.”
She said it will be a place for both dogs and their people to walk, play and socialize.
The association has been fundraising to cover the costs associated with the park and welcomes anyone interested in helping with future events. For more information, email [email protected] or visit The Barking Lot on Facebook.
