Boyce Park suggested for off-leash dog area

After creating buzz on social media, a proposal to build a dog park in Plum has drawn support from borough officials.

The borough this week sent a letter to Allegheny County parks officials proposing that they consider making room for an off-leash recreational area on an old baseballfield in Boyce Park.

If all goes according to plan, the dog park could open as soon as nextspring.

Boyce Park stretches over about 1,100 acres and appears to be the “best option” for what would become the first off-leash park for dogs in Plum, borough manager Michael Thomas said. He noted that the borough has considered other areas, but none have proved suitable.

Details of the proposed dog park remain undetermined, including its design, size and cost as well as how it would be maintained. A formal plan would have to be approved by the borough and county, after which the two governments would draw up an agreement.

“It’s not just as simple as putting up a fence,” said Kevin Evanto, the county’s chief marketing officer. “How do we structure it in a way where it would be a quality experience?”

The county maintains more than a handful of dog parks, each with running water and shelter or tree cover for shade. North Park has two, which are used interchangeably to help preserve the grass.

In South Park, a second offleash area is expected to open in mid-August near the intersection of McCorkle and Ridge roads, Mr. Evanto said.

The idea for the dog park in Plum started attracting an audiencein March, when Allison Wade, a registered dietitian, created a Facebook group that drew more than 800 members over a single weekend. The group, Dog Park for Plum Borough, now has more than 1,100members.

A native of Plum who moved back to the borough in the winter, Ms. Wade realized that after returning home from work, “

sometimes a walk just doesn’t cut it” for her 1-yearold Rottweiler, Apollo.

“Being a dog lover,” she said, “it’s just nice to know you have somewhere to take your dog, and they can run and socialize and play.”

Although her proposal to build a dog park has drawn support — a GoFundMe campaign Ms. Wade started has raised nearly $3,000 so far — considerably more money would be needed.

A fence that would surround the park is estimated to costabout $30,000, she noted. It would be about 1,600 feet long, include a double-gated entrance and create separate areasfor small and large dogs.

Ms. Wade has arranged some fundraisers this summer. She and other park supporters plan to sell homemade dog treats at the two-day annual Plum Community Festival, which will begin at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Larry MillsPark.

They also plan to run what they are calling a dogkissing booth, where people would pay for a smooch from a canine. “If people want that,” Ms. Wade said.

On July 23, Somma Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar has agreed to donate 15 percent of its proceeds between 4 and 9 p.m. toward the park.

Borough council this month sanctioned a onemile dog walk, called Paws for Plum, on Aug. 19 along Old Mine Road.

The goal is to raise a total of $25,000, which would go toward the chain-link fence around the park, Ms. Wade said. The borough has informally agreed to cover the remainder of the cost.

For more information, go to Facebook and search for Dog Park for Plum Borough.