UM Dog Park: ‘Another Jewel in the Parks System’

Every dog has its day – May 19 just so happened to belong to the dogs of Upper Moreland.

In recognition of the grand opening of the township’s , several commissioners, township officials, owners and their very excited pets gathered at the park’s entrance for an 8 a.m. grand opening.

The first dog owner to arrive was Stacey Efkowitz, and her spritely bull mastiff Trix.

“It is simply another jewel in the parks system and for the department,” Efkowitz said. “And, I am quite pleased and surprised at the way it came out.”

Efkowtiz said she recalled the excitement surrounding the project as it was proposed to the board of commissioners, when she was president of that board in 2003.

“It’s great that it finally came to fruition,” Efkowitz said.

In previous reports, the Upper Moreland-based civic group (Dog Owners Group) informed the board of commissioners of the need for a dog park within the township.

Prior to that time, and up until Saturday’s grand opening, dogs were not allowed in any township park. While the related township ordinance has made room for the potential creation of other dog parks, the same no-dogs rule still applies everywhere outside of the township’s dog park, which is located inside .

From Swamp to Doggie Oasis

Former commissioner James Hotchkiss, as well as three sitting commissioners was also in attendance. Among the sitting commissioners, Donna Parsell recalled what the dog park used to look like.

“I remember this area didn’t have grass, it was muddy and overgrown,” Parsell said. “I think they did a wonderful job, and it’s so beautiful.”

Fellow sitting commissioner, Kip McFatridge also recalled that this area of Mill Creek park was underutilized, as prior to the dog park, no bridge existed for visitors to cross the creek.

The dog park is split into two adjacent parts: a larger area for bigger dogs over 25 pounds, and a smaller area for dogs under that weight.

Together, the township’s dog park is a little less than an acre. Its landscaping consists of lush, fresh-cut grass; several trees that will increase shade; a wetland-preserve (educational signage expected for this soon); and a lime-grit material to decrease turf fatigue.

Nick Helman of Hatboro Boy Scout Troop 81 also attended the morning event. Along with fellow troop members like Grag Disario,  who accompanied him, Nick helped plant several of the trees, as well as varnished the dog park bridge and provide landscaping to the K-9 Police Dog monument, as part of his Eagle Scout project.

“I think it’s fantastic. I love this opportunity for the community,” Nick said. “I loved this project, because it allows dog walkers to have a safe environment.”

Other amenities include benches, pet-waste stations and a fenced-in staging area for owners to remove leashes off their dogs.

According to Pat Stasio, the township’s Parks and Recreation director, despite the many impediments that slowed down the construction process, the department was able to keep the costs under the originally proposed budget of $60,000.

He said that there are many thanks and praise to go around, including the board of commissioners for seeing the project though, the Parks and Recreation and Public Works staff for the park’s construction, and to the Paw Prints DOG group for the initial monetary support and continued project support.

“It really was a township effort,” Stasio said.

Free-range Dogs

Stasio said that it’s wonderful to see all the dogs playing and making new friends.

“But, to me, it’s not just about the dogs getting to socialize,” Stasio said. “We built this dog park for both owners and their dogs to socialize.”

Within the hour, dog owners started coming in with their visibly excited companions. Although they never set paw in the park before, as soon as leashes came off, the dogs knew exactly what to do, as they raced full speed with each other around the park. Everyone in attendance gazed appreciatively at the dogs at play.

“Dogs that socialize are better neighbors, better citizens,” Kevin Spearing said with a grin.

Spearing, who is the a commissioner and chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Committee, said that the dog park will be a big hit with residents. he said that he also expects them to take responsibility in both caring for their new park, as well as regulating the conduct of their dogs.

“You have to be very attentive to your own dog, and watch how they play,” Jill Lockton, a Hatboro resident, said.

Lockton, who lives across Mill Road from the dog park, was with her husband Tom and their 15-month-old vizsla Daisy.

She said that she appreciates the convenience of only having to walk across the road to get to the park, as opposed to having to drive to Horsham, the location of the next closest dog park. In addition, she said that the Upper Moreland dog park has certain amenities that the Horsham dog park does not have, yet.

“It’s nice that it’s grass,” Lockton said.

“It’s much bigger than the Horsham one,” Annette Messner, Willow Grove resident said. “And, it’s great that the dogs can just lay down on the grass.”

Messner, whose husband, Donald, helped construct the dog park through the Parks and Recreation department, said that agreed with the park’s convenient location for residents that may have to work later in the day.

“So far, so good,” she said.

Paw Prints DOG

As township officials expressed their approval of the dog park, again and again, each one credited the Paw Prints DOG civic group in getting the project off the ground.

“When you actually see it, it’s much bigger than you think it would be,” Judy Lamb, co-founder of Paw Prints DOG, said.

According to Lamb, the DOG group was informally founded with friend and fellow dog advocate Rose Bunn. After Bunn’s passing in the early 2000s, her family’s donations helped provide initial funding that would start the project.

Lamb said she was pleased at the spacious beauty that the new dog park will provide visitors.

“We’re thrilled to see that it’s open,” Lamb said. “And, Blitz is happy, too.”

The one concern that Lamb has for the area would be that it is located in a flood plain. She said she hopes that the park can withstand another “100-year flood,” one that the township experienced in recent years. Otherwise, she said, it’s up to the visitors to keep the new dog parking looking new.

“If you see and orphaned pile of poo,” Lamb said. “don’t be afraid to pick it up.”

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According to Stasio, the next major project the township’s Parks and Recreation Department will be a new “spray pole” for youth water recreation at Masons Mill Park. Along with feedback on the new dog park, the department is also looking for individuals interested in partnering with the township for the new project.

For more information, visit www.uppermoreland.org.