Council's OK Moves Middletown Dog Park Plans Along

On Monday, the common council approved the allocation of a $70,000 state capital improvement grant for dog park fencing at Veterans Memorial Park, according to the Hartford Courant.

Plans have been in the works since 2008, the Courant reports, when more than 300 residents signed a petition in favor of the dog park. Councilman Todd Berch has been an ardent supporter of the idea which, the Courant says, was nixed by former Mayor Sebastian Giuliano.

Early talks proposed the dog run be located at John J. Tynan Park on land donated to the city as open space by former Connecticut Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and lifetime resident. His family opposed using a portion of the 32-acre parcel located off Higby Road for a dog park, saying it was counter to Tynan's intention when he gave the land to the city of Middletown.

Construction for Veteran's Park includes renovated pool with clearer areas for swim team practice and recreational swim, a new playscape, splash pads, the long-awaited veteran's museum and Trees of Honor Memorial. 

The memorial will be composed of two sculptures and a ring of 65 trees with sitting areas, with each tree dedicated a fallen Armed Services member with a granite plaque engraved with a photo. 

Brandon Riley from Weston & Sampson has been working with the city’s Veterans’ Memorial Park Renovation Committee to develop a vision and concept plan for the park.

In arriving at plans, the architect reviewed Peckham Park in Middlefield and Elm Ridge Park in Rocky Hill, both of which had desirable characteristics for the Veteran's Park project. Middletown's dog park will be located in a flat, shady area raised up off the road, away from cars along the former archery area, according to the architects. Trees there will provide shade for canines in the hot summer sun.

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