Wantage Township is excited to announce the establishment of the WANTAGE DOG PARK. This will be an eight-acre fenced area where dog owners can take their dogs for off-leash exercise and recreation.

The Dog Park will be located on Route 628 near Woodbourne Park (just east of Berry Road). The park will have separate “Large Dog” and “Small Dog” areas, a shelter for protection from the elements, benches, and dog waste disposal facilities. The fence and gates will be designed for safe, escape-proof entry and exit for the dogs. There will also be a 20-space parking area for the private use of the dog owners. Future improvements will include features such as agility training equipment.

The current goal is to have the Wantage Dog Park in operation by Early Summer of 2006. The park will be funded entirely by PRIVATE DONATIONS. The Wantage Dog Park is being organized by the Wantage Dog Park Planning Committee, a group of community volunteers. The members are Stu Baker of Baker’s Pharmacy; Dr. Karen Bullock, DVM - Wantage Veterinary Hospital; Diane Bauman, Author, ”Beyond Basic Dog Training” Bauman’s DogDome; and Dr Bob Potter, DVM - Vernon Veterinary Clinic.

If you would like to help with this volunteer project, there are several ways to do so.
One way would involve a contribution to help pay for the costs involved. The Wantage Dog Park Planning Committee will soon be sending letters to all dog owners in Wantage Township, asking for a donation in support of this project. If you are interested in helping out, there will be many ways to “give”, including a direct cash donation; purchasing an Engraved Paver for a walkway leading from the parking lot to the park; and business signs along the perimeter of the park. More options and further details will be provided in the letter when it is mailed.

The second way to help out would be to volunteer as a member of the Wantage Dog Park Users Group. This will be a 60-member group that will monitor the Park to assure that the rules of the park are followed. Current plans call for volunteer members to be assigned a four-hour shift once a month. The volunteer would stay at the park during their shift to answer questions, hand out information about the park and its rules, and solicit funds for future improvements. Please help us to make this the best dog park in the area!

Residents interested in helping –either by donation or volunteering – please call Stu Baker at 973-875-4141.