Town Moving Ahead with First-Ever Dog Park

TOWN MOVING AHEAD WITH PITTSFORD'S FIRST-EVER DOG PARK
East Street Location on Town Land Connects to Town Trails
Town Supervisor Bill Smith announced plans for the Town of Pittsford’s first-ever dog park to open later this year.  The park, at 34 East Street, will provide residents and their canine companions a safe and enjoyable area for recreation. The location takes advantage of existing Town land in a grassy area tucked between the Little League fields and the Town’s Parks Department building.

The Pittsford Town Dog Park will have two off-leash areas, one each for large and small dogs.  Dogs will have access to play structures and water fountains.  Dog owners will be able to relax on benches and use picnic tables under shade trees.  The facility will include a dog wash station to hose off muddy paws and coats.  The park is located on the Town’s trail system.

"In keeping with the Town’s commitment to walkability and bikeability, two Town trails will connect to our new dog park,” said Supervisor Bill Smith.  “We wanted an option for access that’s easy on residents and on the environment," he continued.  The Town will improve the existing parking surface at the location for those who need to drive to the site.

Seeing the need for a dog park, and in response to residents’ requests, Supervisor Smith asked Town staff to explore various options and partnerships.  Very few sites met the Town’s criteria: at least two (2) acres, potential for parking, potable water, access to electricity and reasonable distance from houses.   The selected location met all of these needs, with the added benefits of offering an existing grass field and trail access, as well as being Town-owned land.

Supervisor Smith said, “We remain interested in partnering with the Village of Pittsford for an additional dog park on Village-owned land by the Canal, should the Village decide to move forward with such a project.”

Work on the Pittsford Town Dog Park is expected to be completed by the end of this summer.  The Town’s Recreation and Land Fees Trust Fund will pay for the $160,000 project budget. This is an existing Town fund developers contribute to for the development of parks, playgrounds and recreational resources.  The Town has reached out to Monroe County to integrate the new facility into the Monroe County Dog Park system.

Click the link to see a rendering of the Pittsford Town Dog Park.