The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department will hold an official Grand Opening for the Buck Creek Dog Park, later this week. It’s a project that’s been three-years in the making. The all-day event will be held Friday morning at the park, located on the northwest side of the Schildberg Recreation Area, in Atlantic. Atlantic Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring says a ribbon cutting ceremony set to take place at 10-a.m., with doggie treats available for man’s best friend, and veterinary services available  twice during the day.

Small dog exercise area

Local veterinarians will be offering discounts on dog vaccination clinics from Noon until 1pm and again from 4-until 6-p.m. Dogs must be vaccinated and have current tags in order for them to use the park. A table will also be set up for people to license their dogs. Herring says if you live outside of Atlantic and want to license your dog, you can do so at no charge, because it’s not a requirement for those living outside the City limits. Licensing your pet will give some peace mind, he says, because if your animal is lost, it can be returned to you faster when it is found.

Large dog exercise area

The dog park is surrounded by fencing and is divided into sections for big and small dogs, with plenty of space for them to run, and, agility/exercise equipment created as part of an Eagle Scout project. The pet must be on a leash until it enters the proper exercise area. Dog owners must also supervise their animals while they are in the exercise area. And, no one under the age of 12 can be with their animal in the park, without adult supervision. Other rules for the dog park are posted on signs located at the entrance to the area.

The exercise equipment includes a tunnel on both sides (of the small and large dog areas) with scrap plastic by Plastics Professionals in Atlantic, and mulch, to prevent the growth of weeds. There’s weaving poles, an A-ramp for dogs to climb, hurdles for small and large dogs, among other things. Herring says within the next couple of months, there will be a parking area installed between the fence and Buck Creek Road. Until then, vehicles may park alongside the grassy shoulder of the road or on a portion of the road itself, if the conditions are too wet or muddy on the shoulder.

Herring reminds dog owners that their animals’ feces must be picked up by owners, even if the droppings are on the grass. The exception would be in tall grass areas. Bag stations are provided around the area for that purpose.