Dog park unofficially
open in county park
BY TARA PETERSEN
Staff Writer
TARA PETERSEN Dog owner David Seal rounds up his Great Danes after a day at the new dog park, located in Thompson Park near Perrineville Road.
JAMESBURG — Dog owners didn’t waste any time trying out a new dog park when they heard it would be open New Year’s Day.
David Seal, owner of a Harlequin Great Dane named Ruby, said the park, located within Thompson Park, was "the best."
"I’ve been going to dog parks in Manhattan for years and it’s just catching on here," he said.
Borough Councilwoman Barbara Carpenter said an official grand opening of the park will be held at noon Jan. 27, but that the park was opened early because of demand.
"So many people were calling [Middlesex County Director of Parks and Recreation] Ralph Albanir that he decided to let people in," Carpenter said Tuesday.
The park, which takes up about 2 acres near Thompson Park’s equestrian area on Perrineville Road, is divided into two parts, according to Carpenter.
"There is one area for large dogs and one for small dogs," she said. "It’s free, and all the dogs have to have their shots. There are even disposable bags so people can clean up after their dogs."
Carpenter said she came up with the idea for the park a few years ago.
"My son’s girlfriend at the time had a dog park in Florida," she said. "I love animals. Since I have two dogs of my own, I thought it was a great idea. It was one of the first things I wanted to do when I was first elected. It’s been over two years in the making."
The park includes benches because the park is just as much for the owners as for the dogs themselves, she said.
"It’s a great socialization opportunity for the animals as well as the owners," Carpenter said.
Carpenter said there are also dog parks in Plainsboro and in New Brunswick.
"It’s an up-and-coming thing. More towns are getting them," she said.
The county funded the park, and county park personnel will manage it, she said.
She said Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel and Freeholder Pete Dalina, as well as Albanir, are planning to attend the official opening.
"I think it will be very successful," Carpenter said.