The Mantua recreation committee will host its first Pups in the Park event in Chestnut Branch Park on Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to noon to celebrate the park’s new status as dog friendly.
The event will feature a 10 a.m. dog parade that township residents can register for on the day of at 9 a.m. The celebration will conclude at noon.
All guests will have to put their pooches on leashes, show proof of their township registration and clean up after them. Designated disposal sites are scattered throughout the park. Pups in the Park will include special guests and local pet-oriented businesses.
“Special guests will include MTPD’s (Mantua Township Police Department) K-9 unit; Daminger’s Natural Pet Foods; Earthwise Pet Supply; and resident Emily Cooney, who holds the title of Miss Avalon,” said Mayor Robert Zimmerman. “There will be some food and snack vendors on hand, as well as some giveaways.”
The mayor and other members of the township committee will also be in attendance at the park event, the result of a recently passed township ordinance lobbied for by residents that allows residents to bring their dogs into Chestnut Branch Park as long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
“The township committee unanimously passed an ordinance at our March meeting to make the park dog friendly,” Zimmerman explained. “(It) officially took effect on March 18. “We’re excited that residents can now get some fresh air and exercise at Chestnut Branch, or even watch a youth sporting event with their dogs by their side.
“It’s an exciting and positive change for most, as many residents have wished for this for quite some time.”
Chestnut Branch dog owners are expected to police each other in order to ensure adherence to the new canine rule. Park visitors can report any unleashed dogs and their owners to the police with non-emergency contact at (856) 589-0911.
“Rules will be enforced, but there needs to be complete cooperation by everyone,” Zimmerman noted. “If dog owners don’t abide by the rules, the township committee may be forced to rescind the ordinance change and reign it back in. So, please follow the rules.”
