Wait a Dog-Gone Minute! Dog Park Groundbreaking Delayed
The dog days of summer aren't even here yet, but the dogs of New Bedford are going to have to wait a little while longer to have their big day.
The official groundbreaking on the Captain Jack Peterson Dog Park was scheduled for Tuesday, but has been postponed. The City of New Bedford says the groundbreaking will now take place on Thursday, June 15, at 3:30 p.m.
The park, named for longtime WBSM personality Jack Peterson, will be located just off Hathaway Boulevard, between Greenwood Street and Ruggles Street. Peterson, who passed away in 2014, was well-known for his love of dogs and his work with animal rescues.
"We just think it will be a nice addition," his wife, Lynne Peterson, told WBSM's Phil Paleologos. "It was a long time coming. There are people who have been fighting for this for years, so this is kind of a dream come true for everybody."
Peterson said that at the recent Pet Fest at Buttonwood Park, people were handing her money to put toward the dog park.
"One lady came up to me and handed me money and said, 'It's only a dollar,' but every dollar counts," she said. "As the Friends of the Dog Park, we will have to maintain the park."
The park is being constructed on property acquired by the city as part of the Parker Street Waste Site remediation. Peterson said the Boston-based Stanton Foundation is funding the construction through a grant, and is also helping with the design of the park. They have funded and designed similar dog parks in other cities and towns.
"The idea is, to have two sections, one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs," she said. "Dogs will be able to run free without a leash, and you as the dog owner will be responsible for your own dog...they can do their thing and play while you relax. It will be completely fenced in and have benches."
"We're still working out the details, but I'm just thrilled that we can officially break ground," she said. "They have been doing some preliminary work already, and good lord willing and the cricks don't rise, it'll be open to the public in late fall."
"It will be a nice addition to that corner down there, we're hoping," she said.
Peterson also said naming the dog park for her late husband was the best way anyone could honor Captain Jack.
"I don't think if you changed Fenway Park to Peterson Park, he would have been happier," she said with a laugh.
You can follow along with the dog park's progress on its official Facebook page.