Dog Park Temporarily Closing April 9

SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo’s dog park will be closed from April 9 through May so Parks crews can install canine play obstacles and establish more turf. During that span, the Parks and Recreation Department will experiment with a leash-free area next to the park at 3215 Millbrook Drive.

When the dog park opened last fall, the parks department planned to close it this spring to make further improvements. The additions will be paid for with unused project funds, all but $12,000 of which were raised privately.

Since its opening, the dog park has become a popular destination for dog lovers and their canine companions. Unleashed dogs are allowed to romp and play with one another in separate fenced areas for small and large breeds.

Built by City crews, the park sits alongside the Red Arroyo Trail and near Unidad Park. It recently earned a statewide honor – the Park Development Innovations Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society.

“San Angelo had told us for years it desperately wanted a park where dogs could socialize,” Parks and Recreation Director Carl White said. “It’s wonderful to see how much enjoyment the dogs and their owners are getting from it. Now we’re aiming to make it even better.”

White said leash-free areas are becoming commonplace in parks across the country. If the leash-free area works well in the coming weeks, White said he will ask the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to consider recommending it as a permanent option for the City Council to consider.