“It’s a multi-use park,” Howard said. “We want more than just dog owners to come down and enjoy the views and take advantage of that trail system once we get connected to Marsh (Park Lake).”
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The yet-to-be-named dog park will be open at 6611 River Road, between Lake Circle Drive and Gray Road. The park has been a residential request for about 20 years, and something city officials said they've wanted to accomplish for the past 15 years.
Fairfield officials broke ground in October for the $1.14 million, 6.5-acre dog park along the Great Miami River, which is part of the property commonly referenced as Black Bottom. It will also serve as a trailhead for the planned Great Miami River Trail extension, and there will be restrooms constructed.
Dog park amenities include an 800-square-foot pond with a dock and zero-entry edge, multiple fields with a separate small dog play area and shaded gathering spaces.
The city ran into a wet winter and early spring, but Howard said “they’ve been moving since it’s been nice out.” And though they’re behind schedule because of the weather, city officials still say it will be complete by late summer.
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“I think it’s exciting when you drive by there of how dramatic it looks,” said city spokeswoman Jenny Dexter.
Howard said since the weather’s been cooperative, the contractor has been moving a lot of dirt and clearing out trees, “which is the first step in the project. You can really see the park shape.”
“We’re taking a blank canvas of land and developing it. When you go from a blank slate like that and adding these components, you’re talking about building Rome and it wasn’t built in a day.”
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