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Round up the canines; Riverhead dog park opens Saturday

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | The big dog play area at the RIverhead dog park in Calverton.
BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | The big dog play area at the RIverhead dog park in Calverton.

Riverhead Town officials are holding a “leash-cutting ceremony” Saturday at the town’s first-ever dog park.

The fenced-in space for dogs to run and play is separated into two areas, one for small dogs and another for large dogs. The park, located off Route 25 in Calverton, near the town’s new ball fields, also features picnic benches and a smaller fenced-in area for dogs and their owners to get prepped to let the dogs go in the larger area.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon.

Councilman James Wooten, liaison to the town animal advisory committee, spearheaded efforts to get the park built. There was a town code change needed, which held up the process for a couple of months.

Volunteers with the Move the Animal Shelter nonprofit also raised funds for the park.

In a press released, Mr. Wooten credited Move the Animal Shelter chairperson and founder, Denise Lucas, as well as the work of Riverhead highway superintendent George “Gio” Woodson, the town’s engineering and buildings and grounds supervisor Guy Cawley and their staffs, as well as town recreation director Ray Coyne and his staff.

He said those who pushed for the park felt the location would “encourage residents to visit the adjacent ball field site, provide a unique opportunity for residents to let their pets run free safely and legally without a leash, and provide a place for social interaction for dogs and their owners.”

While the town dedicated the land and the time of many staff members, the Move the Animal Shelter group “funded many of the improvements necessary to create the park,” the release reads. “Some of the features of the dog park include a six foot chain link fence, gates, area for small dogs and an area for large dogs, benches, picnic tables,  pet clean up areas, walkways and paved entrances.”

Called “Isaac Dog Park,” Mr. Wooten said the name recognizes “the generous gift from a private citizen who contributed to the park. I believe it is after a loved pet.”

All members of the public are invited to join the event.

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BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | The Move the Animal Shelter group raised funds to pay for the park's infrastructure and amenities. It was no immediately clear who 'Isaac' is, the park's namesake.
BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | The Move the Animal Shelter group raised funds to pay for the park’s infrastructure and amenities.