Whiteland’s first public park is going to the dogs.
Today’s opening of the Whiteland Bark Park marks the first of several public parks to come to the otherwise park-less town. In the coming years, 15-acre and 40-acre parks will also be built by D.R. Horton in the Saddlebrook Farms subdivision just east of downtown.
The dog park, located near the Whiteland Road and Centerline Road intersection, was built on a property Arbor Homes donated to the town in 2017, according to property records.
The developer initially planned a commercial property on the one-acre lot next to its Millstone neighborhood, Gabehart said.
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This year, the town invested about $6,000 to add a fence, build challenge equipment and complete drainage work. The park’s gazebo was also donated by a developer, he said.
The town kept costs low by repurposing leftover parts from utility projects as challenge equipment, and using extra stone from paving projects for the parking lot, Gabehart said.
Town employees built the equipment, completed the drainage work and laid the parking lot. Employees are also working on a bench made from leftover utility parts that will be added to the park later, he said.
The dog park, at about 10,000 square feet, is small, but the town hopes to grow it over time, Gabehart said.
“We plan to put some other amenities on a small scale there, but we don’t have the resources yet,” he said. “It is not huge but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the opportunity with your dog.”
Adding parks has been in the town’s comprehensive plan for years. But establishing a new service and going into potentially millions of dollars of debt to build the parks wasn’t feasible. Instead, town leaders chose to slowly build up to a park over the years, Gabehart said.
Now, after investing in public safety and repairing roads, the town is ready to tackle more quality of life initiatives. The hope is to build up public amenities with support from developers and incremental investments from the town, he said.
The town’s new focus on amenities is possible because its cash balance has grown and its debts have shrunk to a level that the town can add services, Gabehart said.
“You had to take care of that stuff and make the town more financially stable before we could do some of these things,” he said.
The town is starting small, with hopes to build better amenities over time.
“It is not big; it is a beginning,” Gabehart said. “We can’t have a Craig Park overnight.”
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Where do I sign up?
To join Whiteland Bark Park, download the application from townofwhiteland.com/whiteland-bark-park-opening-soon/ or pick up an application at Whiteland Town Hall.
How much does it cost?
Members can join for $20 a year, with memberships in effect for 365 days following the purchase. The fee covers the cost of membership tags and waste bags available at the site.
What are the requirements to join?
Dogs must be vaccinated for Rabies, Distemper, Parvo and Bordetella and a copy of shot records must be presented with the application.
What are the rules?
Dogs must be at least four months old. A maximum of eight dogs are allowed in the park at one time, with a limit of three dogs per handler per trip. Vicious or nuisance dogs, as well as dogs in heat, should not use the park. Dogs are only permitted to be off the leash while inside the fence.
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