The Salem Rotary Dog Park has exceeded all expectations in its first six months of operation, but the city is always looking for ways to improve the park for both dogs and their owners. Next week, the city is planning to make some improvements to the facility that should not only create some new grassy areas, but also eliminate some of the standing water issues that exist at a few places in the park.

In order to complete this work, it will be necessary to temporarily close some portions of the park on the following days:
-Monday, April 23: The LARGE dog side of the park will be CLOSED most of the day to install drains and temporary fencing to divide the mulched and grass areas. The mulched area will reopen later that afternoon.
-Wednesday, April 25: The SMALL dog side will be CLOSED all day to install temporary fencing and reseed. In addition – the fenced-off areas for grass on BOTH LARGE AND SMALL dog sides will be reseeded on this day. These newly seeded areas on BOTH sides will remain CLOSED through Monday, June 4, 2012. In addition, the gate closest to the Salem Animal Shelter will remain locked during this time. The main entrance will be the only available entrance to the dog park until June 4.

Thank you for your continued support of the park and please take note of these improvement dates and temporary operational changes. Your patience and understanding while this work is being performed is appreciated.

Submitted by Mike Stevens, city of Salem spokesman