By GRETA SHUSTER
It was a hot August 1st, but for once there was shade in the dog park.
The occasion was the official opening of the renovated park, a project that cost $110,000.
City Councilwoman Donna Travis used more than half of the $200,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds that Mayor Frank Picozzi allocated to each City Council member for renovations, improvements and neighborhood revitalization.
The dog park redesign is Travis’ second ARPA-funded project at City Park, the other being new benches in the dugouts at the park’s softball fields.
Travis said the idea for a dog park in City Park first came to her when she attended a conference on dog parks in Newport during former Mayor Scott Avedisian’s administration.
“It was a very early Avedisian project,” she said. “It was widely used by the public.”
“Year after year it was battered,” she said. “It was a mess and overused. It needed maintenance.” In December, the application to redesign the park was approved and construction began in mid-March.
Travis was joined by City Council President Stephen McAllister and Mayor Frank Picozzi to cut the ribbon and officially open the dog park at 10 a.m.
“The fences used to be the other way around,” said Councilman McAllister. “But now the dogs can get some shade, especially when it’s as hot as it is today.”
“They used to be outside in the sun all the time,” Travis added.
The renovated and ADA compliant dog park features new fencing, a paved parking lot, separate areas for small and large dogs, and seating.
When the park was redesigned, special attention was paid to accessibility. There is now a paved parking lot right next to the dog park. According to Travis, it was previously difficult for older people to cross the sand area.
“Look, they’re having fun,” Travis said after the ribbon cutting, pointing to a group of dogs chasing each other in the park’s large dog area.
All Warwick districts still have varying amounts of ARPA funds available for community improvement projects. If there is a project that could benefit a district, there is a proposal form on the City of Warwick website or residents can contact their City Council member directly.
