After two years of planning and $60,000 worth of construction, the Warrenton Dog Park (located at the intersection of the Warrenton Branch Greenway trail and the 5th Street parking lot) will open on Nov. 18. Mayor Powell Duggan and his dog, Buddy, will lead the ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.
The decision to move forward with this project resulted primarily from a recent requirement that dogs in Warrenton (and other Fauquier County towns) must remain leashed at all times, coupled with the fact that (according to a report from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation) 63 percent of Warrenton homes have such four-legged friends.
“We were out at the location last week doing some work and quite a few people came and asked questions,” Margaret Rice, Warrenton Parks and Recreation Director, said. “They were all looking forward to the opening.”
One of two local dog parks (Vint Hill Dog Park is a mere eight miles away) there were many town hall debates surrounding this new park’s location (suggestions made mention of Rady Park and the Warrenton Aquatics and Recreational Facility).
Gray and Blue Contracting finished construction of the area, which features trash cans, a drinking fountain for dogs and benches, in early October. Once the sod has taken root, canines are free to frolic.
