Dog Park Gets Treat

The Friends of the Doylestown Dog Park on Wednesday announced two donations totalling $60,000.

The gifts put the group about halfway to its goal of raising $150,000 to build the dog park in Doylestown Township.

The largest gift - $50,000 - came from an anonymous donor, the group said.

"We are thrilled to have the confidence and support of a very generous, fellow dog-lover who made this major gift," Kelcey Meadows Lucas, the group's fundraising chair, said in a statement.

The "big dog" section of the dog park will be named in memory of the donor's four dogs, the group said.

The second donation - $10,000 - came from the Doylestown Animal Medical Clinic. Owners Dale Mantell and Drew Sporer have been longtime supporters of the drive to build the dog park.

Their donation earns them naming rights for the "lobby" area at the entrance to the proposed dog park, which Mantell and Sporer called a "great community asset."

"Dog parks are also people parks and a great place for people to connect with each other and their dogs," Mantell said. "The animal community here is large and vital, yet underserved, and this will be a wonderful place for pets and their people."

Naming rights still are available at various donation levels, from $1,500 up to $50,000, for various parts of the park, including the "small dog" area, agility section and features such as benches, water fountains, trees and more.

Engraved bricks and pavers also are available for donations of $100 and $500, respectively.

Dog park supporters also are hoping for donations of materials and services, such as concrete, macadam, water lines, landscaping, electrical work and more. For information on donation and volunteering opportunities, visit www.doylestowndogpark.com or contact doylestowndogpark@gmail.com or 215 345-4140.

Those interested in learning more about the dog park can visit with representatives of the group at the following events.

• A-Day at , Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1
• Bark for Life at George M. Bush Park in Buckingham, Saturday, April 30
• Puppy Fair, Saturday, June 11
• Bucks County SPCA Dog Walk at Tinicum Park Polo Club, Saturday, June 25

The public also is invited to attend upcoming dog park planning meetings on May 4 and June 1. They start at 7 pm at .

The fenced-in, off-leash dog park is planned for part of Turk III park on Almshouse Road in Doylestown Township.

The 3-acre park will consist of a half-acre section for small dogs, a 1.5-acre section for large dogs, and a 1 acre area that will rotate use with the other two to preserve the turf. It also will be used for educational events, training, and agility.

Plans also include a parking lot, handicap accessibility features and a hardscape walkway and lobby area.

In March, the Doylestown Township supervisors . Supporters hope to open the park by this fall.