ATLANTA — Kirkwood dog owners can now enjoy their community’s first dog park.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning, Atlanta city officials and community members joined to celebrate the grand opening of the Kirkwood Dog Park.
Friday morning’s rain showers and cold weather did not stop Emily Wimbush, vice president of the Kirkwood Business Association, from celebrating this momentous occasion with her neighbors with her dog in tow.
“This is the sixth dog park in the city and we are thrilled to have one in Kirkwood,” Wimbush told 11Alive.
“Having a dog park is a great place to meet up to share your stories with your neighbors and let your dogs get some exercise,” she added.
The half-acre of land sits in Gilliam Park and provides two fenced-in yards for both small and large dog sizes.
In July, members of the Kirkwood Neighborhood Organization and the Kirkwood Business association volunteered to revitalize the present location of the dog park.
Neighbors spent the morning and the afternoon shoveling dirt and pulling weeds to bring this dog park to life.
“The effort here was neighborhood driven and that is one of the things that I love about Atlanta and DeKalb,” Atlanta City Council Member Natalyn Archibong said.
Archibong represents district 5 and serves much of east Atlanta.
“That’s what I like about Atlanta and DeKalb, the desire to improve quality of life,” Archibong added.
The work at the Kirkwood Dog Park isn’t done.
Organizers said they have plans to build a stone retaining wall, add additional seating, and include a public art piece and agility equipment.
The dog park is located at 1694 Wade Ave. NE Atlanta, Georgia 30317.
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