The dog days of summer may be over, but Chattanooga dogs and their parents can still find relief from the lingering summer heat at the new Barks and Trails dog park that opened Friday at Enterprise South Nature Park.
The 1.2-acre wooded area is shaded with plenty of benches for pet parents to use as they watch their unleashed pooches enjoy the park's dog-friendly sandbox, agility features and splash pad. Other amenities include a dog water fountain, waste station with free bags and a dog wash facility.
"One of the favorite parts of my job is just seeing all the dogs that come into the park," Allison Harr, park superintendent at Enterprise South Nature Park, said in a phone interview. "We have just as many dogs as we do people that come and enjoy the park."
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Tennessee law requires dogs to be leashed, but many people who bring their dogs to Enterprise South want to let their dogs run and play unleashed, she said.
"We figured we would build them a spot where they could come in and let their dogs enjoy playing in the woods in a safe environment," Harr said.
Harr designed the dog park, which was built entirely by park maintenance staff. Silverdale Academy students also volunteered to help clear the area, she said.
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The $22,000 cost was included in the budget for the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, Harr said.
No dog park additions are planned for any of the other county parks at this time, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Karen Shoshak said in an email.
"Right now, we are focused on ramping up and supporting the Enterprise South Nature Park's well-appointed dog park," she said. "We're looking forward to our guest feedback and hope to hear about their fun experiences at Barks and Trails."
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Ginny Bumpus, who attended the grand opening of the park with her two dogs, said she visits Enterprise South often but doesn't typically take her dogs.
"But I will now," Bumpus said at the event. "It's nice and shaded, which is awesome on this super hot day. And the dogs seem to like it, which is always a blast."
This winter, park staff will begin to work on an expansion to Barks and Trails, increasing the size to about 4 acres and incorporating a trail into the space, Harr said.
Contact Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6508.