Dog Park Groundbreaking Thursday

Duluth city officials will break ground for Chattapoochie Dog Park, the city's first dog park, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, although work on the park has already begun.

The Duluth City Council awarded the contract Sept. 12 for construction of Chattapoochie Dog Park at Rogers Bridge Park near the Chattahoochee River to Georgia Development Partners. The park will cost $510,193 to build based on the bid submitted by GDP.

Construction on the park started immediately, and the project is scheduled for completion Jan. 1, 2012, according to Duluth Parks and Recreation Department Director Kathy Marelle. The park has been a much-requested amenity by citizens on behalf of their pets.

The cost of designing the park, already completed in a separate $26,800 contract by Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh & Associates, and building it are being covered by SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds. 

The three-acre dog park will consist of one acre for small dogs weighing less than 20 pounds and two acres to accommodate large dogs weighing more than 20 pounds. It was named in a contest sponsored by the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department.

The dog park is included in a revised master plan for Rogers Bridge Park that was adopted by the city council in 2010 after an additional 10 acres was added to the now 23-acre park.

The map accompanying this article depicts the layout of the dog park as well as amenities including a nature trail, an interactive dog fountain, and dog agility equipment.