Pups make friends at Hillsborough’s new dog off-leash area in Ann Van Middlesworth Park.
Owners can play with their dogs in the open air and green grass.
Dogs can run free — if they play nice — at their own fenced-in yard within one of Hillsborough Township’s park.
Township officials officially opened the dog park area at the back corner of Ann Van Middlesworth Park last Thursday night, July 9.
It’s a place for dogs to run off-leash, provided they aren’t aggressive.
Not only can dogs run and play with other dogs, but owners can socialize with other owners, too.
On Friday night, the acre or two of newly fenced-in grass, with an island of heavily mulched cedar trees, sat waiting for business.
Then one couple came with their little Yorkie, with the place to themselves. Then came a man hesitant to take his larger dog off leash, and then a couple with a Frisbee for the boarder collie to leap and grab in his mouth.
As dogs ran circles around each other, the owners chatted. They each had rescue dogs. They discussed their dogs’ personal history, and their foibles. Their dogs lapped at each other’s water dishes.
Owners remark how no one seems to know about the new dog park, and how it is convenient not to go to a dog park in Colonial Park in Franklin Township.
The doggie area sits in the back corner of the park, behind softball field number 2 and shrouded by trees from the view of most of the park. The parking area is a quiet, yet respectable, distance away. The area is double gated, and open from dawn to dusk. The area is for dogs at least six months old that are neutered or spayed. Owners must pick up after their pets’ poop.
“We are fortunate to have this area for our four-legged friends,” said Mayor Doug Tomson. Be sure to stop by with your dog and check out the newest addition to Hillsborough parks.”
