For the second year in a row, Jade’s Dog Park in Butler Township’s Alameda Park has reopened following some off-season upgrades.

Jade’s Dog Park opened on the grounds of Alameda Park in 2019 and was billed as the very first dog park in Butler County. It was named for a black Labrador retriever named Jade that belonged to a family that anonymously donated money toward the park’s creation.

Last year, the park was reopened in May after about six weeks of renovations that included fence repairs and landscaping. The layout remained the same — the park is divided into two areas, one for larger dogs and one for smaller dogs.

The renovations removed some of the landscaping that dog owners weren’t fond of and took out a dog jump that wasn’t used often. A fire hydrant was installed, which some dog owners pointed to as a nice addition when it reopened.

This year the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended a closure that started in April to work on some areas that weren’t in great shape due to normal wear and tear.

Work was done to improve and repair fencing, lawn areas and specifically the smaller dog area around the gates. The area was more worn than normal because the park stayed open throughout the winter and just needed to be fixed up a little.

Residents who live close enough to enjoy Jade’s Dog Park are lucky to not only have such a special place to take their pups, but to have a recreation authority so dedicated to its care and upkeep. It’s not easy to maintain lawns where many animals run in all sorts of weather and, in some communities, it might not be a priority.

Dog parks are more than spaces for pups to run, jump and play. They’re also places where community members can interact and get to know each other. They’re places where a sense of community thrives.

— KL