Thanks to all the neighbors who helped bring the park to life. Visit our Facebook Page or the Omaha Dog Park Advocates to see more photos.
Here is the story that ran in the Omaha World Herald yesterday. They also included many photos.
An ark’s worth of pooches, from under 10-pounders to a pair of Newfoundlands, sniffed, ran and played Saturday at the official opening of the city’s newest off-leash dog digs, the Hanscom Bark Park at Hanscom Park near 32nd Street and Woolworth Ave.
The dog park project came together over about the past 15 months. The roughly $70,000 park was funded by the city, grants and private donations, said Mike Battershell of the Hanscom Park Neighborhood Association.
The city will provide minimal maintenance, he said. The Omaha Dog Park Advocates, a non-profit group formed to help support dog parks on city property, will help raise funds for additional development. The group Saturday served chili, hot chocolate and other refreshments .
Battershell said the park had a soft opening about a week ago. “It’s been nonstop since,” he said. “It really brings neighbors together.”
Mayor Jim Suttle led the ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, accompanied by Nougat. Suttle said Nougat belongs to his wife, Deb.
Then the dogs were loosed in the fenced area in the park’s northwest quadrant. The area is divided into three sections, one for smaller dogs and two for all dogs. Use of the all-dogs areas will alternate to allow for reseeding, Battershell said. The park sits down in a bowl, which is expected to minimize noise in the surrounding area.
Dawn and Andy Campbell, who live in north-central Omaha, said they’re more likely to take their black lab mix, Kirby, to Hanscom Park than to Hefflinger Park, the city’s other off-leash park. Hanscom has trees and hills. “It looks nicer,” Dawn Cambell said.
The park is equipped with dog watering stations, which will be turned on in warmer months, waste collection kits. Holes in the fence allow dog owners to reach through and drop waste into trash cans.
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DOG PARK DO’S AND DON’TS
To make sure your pup stays safe at dog parks and plays nicely with others, here are some tips from the Nebraska Humane Society and Omaha Dog Park Advocates, a nonprofit group:
First-timers
If your dog has never visited a dog park, make sure your pooch first gets a chance to socialize with other dogs. This will help get your dog ready for the park visit. At peak times, Hefflinger can attract dozens of dogs. Such a big group can overwhelm and intimidate a first-timer. When you visit the park initially, aim for times when it’s less busy, such as weekdays before 3 p.m. or weekend afternoons. Weekend mornings can be crowded.
Pay attention
Dog parks are a great place for owners to socialize, but don’t forget about your dog. Owners sometimes get so caught up in conversation they might not notice that their dog is being a bully or getting bullied by other dogs.
Voice commands
It’s essential for dogs to obey voice commands. Owners should at least be able to command their dog to come and to stop a behavior.
Warning signs
Dogs get along best when the play is reciprocal. If dogs are chasing each other, for example, they should be taking turns being the chaser. This should happen naturally. But if you see that it’s not, it could mean that a dog is becoming overly aggressive. Other signs of aggression include a dog becoming rigid and staring directly at another dog. Break the behavior with a voice command.
Dog parks aren’t for all pups
Some dogs just don’t have a disposition that’s suited to dog parks. Maybe a dog is just too aggressive or too timid. It’s not because of breed. You could get two dogs of the same breed and one is just right for a dog park and the other isn’t. Don’t worry if your pet isn’t meant for a dog park. You can still socialize your dog in smaller groups.
