Skip to main content

Dreyer Sharpe Memorial Dog Park officially opens at shelter

Ron Sharpe (second from left) reaches out to Pat Merckx (seated), president of the Huntington County Humane Society, during a dedication ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 4, for the Susan Dreyer Sharpe Memorial Dog Park adjacent to the humane shelter.
Ron Sharpe (second from left) reaches out to Pat Merckx (seated), president of the Huntington County Humane Society, during a dedication ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 4, for the Susan Dreyer Sharpe Memorial Dog Park adjacent to the humane shelter. Photo by Cindy Klepper.

The Susan Dreyer Sharpe Memorial Dog Park at the Huntington County Humane Shelter was officially opened on Saturday, Oct. 4, with cake, punch, short speeches - and a bevy of dogs getting used to the idea that they could run free inside an expansive field of grass.

The park was donated by Ron Sharpe in memory of his late wife, who operated a dog training business and had been involved in the Huntington County Humane Society prior to her death in September of 2013.

The park features two large enclosures, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Both areas have shelters where the dogs' accompanying humans can rest.

The humane society is selling dog park memberships for 2015. The annual membership will entitle members to bring dogs to the park at any time.

Several "play days" will be held this month for dogs and their owners to try out the park. They are today, Oct. 9, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon; and Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon. Dogs attending on Oct. 18 may come in costume for a Halloween picture.

All dogs must have proof of vaccination and must be neutered or spayed.

Complete caption: Ron Sharpe (second from left) reaches out to Pat Merckx (seated), president of the Huntington County Humane Society, during a dedication ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 4, for the Susan Dreyer Sharpe Memorial Dog Park adjacent to the humane shelter. Sharpe donated the park in honor of his late wife.