NEW BEDFORD - After many years and many visions for the project, the City of New Bedford can now say that it officially has a dog park of it's own.

Officials and organizers held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Captain Jack Peterson Memorial Dog Park Friday on Hathaway Boulevard between Ruggles and Greenwood Streets.

The park is named after longtime WBSM news anchor and animal lover, Jack Peterson. Jack passed away in 2014. His widow, Lynne peterson, was on hand for the ceremony and said the ribbon cutting was the perfect way to close out her week.

"This is a very emotional time for me," said Lynne. "Monday was Jack's 74th birthday. So I started out there, and I'm ending up here. This is a lovely, lovely way to end the week."

The fenced-in dog park sits on about an acre of land, and is separated into two parts: one for smaller dogs and one for medium-sized and larger dogs. It features some trees, benches, a dog-friendly water fountain, and even non-working fire hydrants.

Only New Bedford residents can access the park, and must pay a $25 annual membership fee, along with a one-time payment of $10 for an access card to gain entry to the park.

The park is managed by the Friends of the Dog Park, along with the City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches.

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