The fence and signs are up. The gates are working. The last few benches and drinking fountains are being installed, and the construction of a shelter house is under way.
Just about the only things missing at the new Glass City Dog Park are the happy canines romping freely, safely, and legally off-leash.
After years of campaigning and a few weeks of construction, the membership-based doggy playground in South Toledo is set to open at 10 a.m. Saturday with a leash-cutting ceremony.
“This is all about quality of life,” said Steve Serchuk, chairman of the board for the nonprofit Toledo Unleashed, which is building and will operate the park.
“For the first time, the vision is coming together,” he said.
The park uses 4.4 acres of city-owned property in Woodsdale Park off the Anthony Wayne Trail once occupied by the South Toledo YMCA. In December, Toledo Unleashed signed a five-year lease with the city, and construction started in August.
“It looks wonderful,” Tina Yoppolo, president of Toledo Unleashed, said. “It’s a really beautiful setting.”
Mr. Serchuk, an animal advocate and commercial real-estate agent with Signature Associates in Toledo, got involved after The Blade published an article in early May about the park’s slow progress. Since then, a number of businesses — including The Blade’s parent company, Block Communications Inc. — trade unions, and individuals stepped up to fund the park.
City councilman and Toledo Unleashed board member Matt Cherry has helped coordinate the unions, including the Cement Masons and Plasterers Local 886, Operators Local 18, Sheet Metal Workers Local 33, and Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 50.
“We haven’t paid much of anything for construction costs, except for fencing,” he said. “Everybody’s been chipping in here and there. ... Everything’s gone very smoothly. Really, the weather has been the only hiccup.”
Recent rains delayed some aspects of construction. But if everything continues to go as planned this week, the only pieces that won’t be completed by Saturday’s opening are the second shelter house and some turf work.
The dog park is divided into three areas. One is for dogs less than 25 pounds, and the two for larger dogs will be opened on a rotating basis to allow the grass to recover from the wear and tear.
Mr. Serchuk said donors are still approaching the group to help fund construction and maintenance. The group plans to offer donors a chance to purchase additional trees for the park.
“We hope to get at least 50 to 100 trees donated that we can plant next spring,” Mr. Serchuk said.
To use the park, dog owners must become members, pay a fee, and agree to certain rules such as cleaning up after their pets and removing any dogs that become problems while playing. Members must also sign a liability waiver, and can cancel their membership and get a refund within 30 days if they or their canines do not enjoy the park.
Ms. Yoppolo said the park already has about 200 registered members.
“When this is finally open, we expect it to skyrocket,” she said.
All people and dogs are welcome to the grand opening that includes vendors and food trucks, but only those dogs covered by a completed membership will be allowed inside the locked park.
Contact Alexandra Mester: amester@theblade.com, 419-724-6066, or on Twitter @AlexMesterBlade.
First Published September 24, 2014, 4:00 a.m.
