POLONCARZ, BRUSO, PARTNERS JOIN TO ANNOUNCE NEW DOG PARK AT COMO LAKE PARK

Modified: June 27, 2019 2:07pm

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Date: 
6/27/19

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined today by Erie County Legislator John Bruso (8th District), Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Daniel J. Rizzo, and members of the Lancaster Unleashed organization to announce plans for a new dog park at Como Lake Park in Lancaster. This is the third dog park to be created in an Erie County Park since 2012, joining similar spaces at Black Rock Canal Park and Ellicott Creek Park, and will add another popular feature to the county’s third-oldest oldest park.

 

“Erie County Parks have seen significant investment throughout my administration, both in our buildings and grounds at the Parks themselves and also in the activities and programs that are offered in them. In just a few years, we have gone from having no dog parks at all to now having three located throughout the Parks system,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “This new area will be a great space for dog lovers and their four-legged friends to enjoy some time outdoors with others at Como Lake Park, and I thank Parks Commissioner Rizzo, Legislator Bruso and our partners at Lancaster Unleashed for their hard work and perseverance in guiding this process.”

 

Erie County Legislator John Bruso (8th District) added, “I have been working with the Lancaster Unleashed group since before taking office, and they have been well-organized and committed to this project from the start. I am glad this project is going to be moving forward and that the dream will become a reality.”

 

The new dog park will be a 1.4-acre space located behind the Park’s maintenance building, with nearby bathrooms and access to utilities. The Erie County Parks Department will install surplus fencing material to spur the project and is working with Lancaster Unleashed to finalize architectural plans for the site. Under an agreement with the county, the all-volunteer Lancaster Unleashed group will be responsible for maintenance and upkeep at the new dog park and is raising funds to support the project’s groundbreaking later this summer.

 

“Dog parks are very popular and provide an easy way for dog owners to bring their pets to the Park and enjoy time running around without worry of disturbing other park goers,” said Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Daniel J. Rizzo. “We welcome this new addition to Como Lake Park and look forward to working with Lancaster Unleashed to keep the dog park pleasant for everyone.”

 

 

Jaclyn McKewan, President of Lancaster Unleashed, said, “After almost 4 years of hard work by our dedicated Board Members and volunteers, plus financial support from both individuals and businesses, we are absolutely thrilled that construction of our community dog park will soon begin. We sincerely thank County Executive Poloncarz, Commissioner Rizzo and Legislator Bruso for their outstanding cooperation. Lancaster Unleashed is committed to making the dog park in Como Lake Park a jewel in the county park system and a travel destination for dog lovers visiting Erie County.”

 

 

In 1926 Erie County acquired Como Lake Park through a special village election. The 80 acres of land donated by the village of Lancaster formed the nucleus for further park expansions. Como Lake Park, named after the tourist resort in Italy, was Erie County's first multi-purpose park and is today the third largest park in the system, with family fun activities available in all seasons.

 

 

 

 

For more information:

 

On the Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, visit http://www2.erie.gov/parks/  

 

 On Lancaster Unleashed, visit http://lancasterdogpark.org/

 

 

 

 

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