Hedges-Boyer Park soon will play host to a new dog park after Seneca County Radio President Keith Hodkinson submitted designs to Tiffin Parks Director Steve Dryfuse.
"I want it to have an overhanging welcome sign that lights up, like in 'Jurassic Park'," Hodkinson said.
Hodkinson said he coined the term "Bark Park."
There are 11,251 registered dogs in Seneca County, Hodkinson said.
"I forsee there being a small dog area, a walking path and a pond with a beach," he said.
Additionally, the dog park will have a fetching fairway, agility equipment, benches, trees and entrance and exit gates.
Dryfuse gave an update on the area Friday, saying Hedges-Boyer is the best location for a dog park because it is where most of the traffic is in area parks.
Work will need to be done to the area before a dog park will be put in.
"We need to relocate Charles Dedrick ball field closer to Roger Young ball field by the YMCA," Dryfuse said.
The next step will be removing the rusted fencing from the flood plain and regrading the ground for better water run-off, he said.
Dryfuse said he would like to start improvements as early as fall, after the Little League football season.
"All amenities and groundwork will be paid for by private funding and grants," he said. "Total costs are $50,000."
Edenwood Veterinary Clinic brought close to $5,000 from a May fundraiser.
The idea seems to be popular among Tiffin business owners.
"Over 50 area businesses made donations," Dr. Jamie Pursell, of Edenwood, said.
Dryfuse said he is waiting to hear back from the Tiffin Charitable Foundation by the end of June on receiving a grant.
Dog park amenities will come from Dog-On-It-Parks, a company based in Everett, Wash.
Style of the equipment that will be used at the park can be found at www.dog-on-it-parks.com.
"We have equipment supplied to several dog parks in Ohio," store sales representative Nora Vandenberghe said. "You can find our equipment at parks in Cincinnati, Dayton, Kettering and Pickerington."
Hodkinson said he supports his rationality for having a local dog park.
"It will let dogs get out and exercise and people will talk and make new friends," Hodkinson said.
Hodkinson said although the regrading and adding of a dog park will not eliminate the potential for flooding, it will allow the opportunity to increase attendance at Hedges-Boyer.
"We would like to create a membership of $25 a year to maintain it," Hodkinson said. "Once we get going, we need to put money away for it."
He said he visualized it also will be good for the economy because people will be coming from out of state to visit and buy gas and food, Hodkinson said.
"It would be the largest dog park in three counties," he said.
