Farmville dog park opens
Published 5:45 pm Tuesday, December 1, 2015
- Mason and Harley enjoy a sunny day at the Erica Geary Memorial Dog Park in Farmville. Their owners, Maureen Walls-McKay and Bill McKay of Prospect, were among the first patrons to utilize the new dog park.
The Erica Geary Memorial Dog Park opened recently, and local pups and their owners have been loving Farmville’s newest addition.
“The Farmville Dog Park exceeded my expectations,” said Prospect resident Maureen Walls-McKay. “The Town of Farmville has created a top-notch park where dogs, both big and small, can socialize and play in a safe environment.”
Walls-McKay is one of many citizens who have utilized the dog park since its Nov. 21 opening.
“My husband, Bill McKay, and I take our two labs (Mason and Harley) to Ridge
Animal Hospital and we are so pleased to see them give back to the community in this way,” Walls-McKay said. “The Farmville Dog Park is the perfect way to honor the memory of Dr. Geary.”
Dr. Erica Dawn Geary, a veterinarian at Ridge Animal Hospital, died from injuries she sustained in an automobile accident on April 3. The 26-year-old was en route to Maryland at the time of the accident to see family for the Easter holiday.
The dog park was established in memory of Geary’s dedication to the animals she cared for.
“I think the dog park has turned out great,” said Gerald Spates, Farmville town manager. He said that Dr. Mark French of Ridge Animal Hospital was a major donor and without his help the park would not be possible.
The dog park has been a long time coming, and now residents have the opportunity to let their pups run free in a safe space.
Spates said the park is a work in progress. He said features will be added to the park, and patrons will be able to donate benches, trees or other artifacts as the space continues to grow.
According to the Farmville Town Council, all dogs should be ready to socialize with other dogs and their owners before utilizing the dog park.
“It is the dog handler’s responsibility to evaluate their own dog’s social skills and assume full liability while visiting this park,” guidelines state.
Dogs must be at least 4 months old to use, and handlers must be age 16 or older.
The Erica Geary Memorial Dog Park is open from dawn to dusk.
Spates said an official grand opening is planned for January.
