A great love for dogs — particularly one energetic, obedient and affectionate Black Lab mix named Jade — led a Butler County couple to propose a dog park at Alameda Park.

The best way the couple knew to cherish all dogs and to honor the memory of Jade, who died at age 12 in 2012, was to help the county create an off-leash play area at the 403-acre park in Butler Township.

A dog park, the couple felt, would enable like-minded dog-lovers to be together, enjoying their pets and making friends. It would give dogs a chance to live healthier, happier lives because they’d have a place to exercise and play.

The couple hoped they could help create “Jade’s Park” by kicking in money, ideas and enthusiasm.

The idea appealed to Gary Pinkerton, county parks director, who felt a dog park could be “a new draw and a great fit for the county.”

Mr. Pinkerton expects construction to begin this summer with a grand opening in spring 2017 after the grass has grown in.

After the couple, a husband and wife who want to remain anonymous, got the idea for a dog park, they began to study what makes a great off-leash area. They did hours of research and read books to learn about best management practices, designs and features.

The couple had a clear vision about what they wanted the dog park to include. They asked Pashek Associates, a Pittsburgh landscape architecture firm, to include these features in the design:

• Separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, and two-stage entrances and exits to the fenced areas

• A pavilion/shelter split between the two areas to encourage friendliness and socializing by dog owners

• Water fountains for both people and dogs

• Plenty of benches

• An entry terrace with a dog statue and plants

• Accessibility and parking.

The nearest off-leash park is in Cranberry Township, so this dog park could draw dog lovers from 20 miles around, giving like-minded people a great opportunity to enjoy each other’s company.

The couple’s overall dream for the park is that it will spark a chain reaction of dog and human interaction that will eventually result in fewer dogs being sent to shelters.

Another of the couple’s favorite elements planned for the park is a bronze statue of a dog offering a paw in a “high four.” Situated at the entrance, it will welcome visitors with its friendly posture and a chance to “gimme four” or five if you’re a human.

All these features cost money, and the couple is donating more than $200,000.

There likely will be donor or sponsor opportunities in the future such as for the proposed shelter/pavilion and dog waste stations.

This article was submitted by the Butler County Parks Department.