MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio — The concrete pad for the Tri-City Bark Park pavilion has been poured, and the park’s advisory board has begun planning a dedication event for sometime in October.
Dog lovers will also have an opportunity to buy engraved bricks to support the park.
Board members, as well as animal control officers from Brook Park and Middleburg Heights, met Wednesday (Aug. 16) to discuss progress on the pavilion, which will be named for longtime animal rights and dog park advocate Carl Burgio of Brook Park, who succumbed to cancer in November 2022.
He served on the board from its inception until his death.
Preliminary planning for the yet-to-be-scheduled pavilion dedication ceremony includes the possibility of vendor booths, food trucks, pet adoptions, animal rescue organizations, 50/50 and basket raffles, and more.
A lengthy discussion also took place about the best way to offer the public the opportunity to buy personalized pavers to raise money for Friends of the Tri-City Bark Park. Money received will be used for future park amenities, while beautifying the walkway from the parking lot to the entry gates.
In addition, it was announced that Greg Harmon of Brook Park will coordinate and oversee the park’s volunteers.
“He’s really excited about it,” board member Lauren Perko said. “The idea for the volunteers is to just frequent the park, wear their T-shirts and make sure people are cleaning up after their dogs.
“Volunteers also check that there are no holes in the fencing and that all the toys are picked up. They should be a good point of information for everybody.”
Those interested in becoming a dog park volunteer may contact Harmon via email at 53tele@ameritech.net.
The “Friends of the Tri-City Bark Park” Facebook page contains additional information about the park and any planned activities.
To support the dog park, donation checks should be made payable to “City of Middleburg Heights,” with “Tri-City Dog Park” noted on the memo line. They can be dropped off or sent to Middleburg Heights City Hall, Attn: Dog Park, 15700 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130.
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