Harrison Hills off-leash dog park on pace to open in fall

An off-leash dog space at Harrison Hills Park is on track to open this fall.

Joel Perkovich, Allegheny County landscape architect, is eyeing a summer start for construction of the 1.3-acre site along Woodchuck Drive, across from the Laurel Shelter.

“It’s a big open field right now,” Perkovich said. “It’s a great space.”

Harrison Hills is a county-owned park that encompasses 500 acres off Freeport Road in the Natrona Heights section of Harrison.

It is one of the few county parks without a leash-free space for furry friends — but not for long.

The county is in the process of accepting bids, and construction could begin by the end of the month.

Plans were designed in-house, Perkovich said, and include two separate fenced areas. There will be 1 acre for larger dogs and an adjoining space for smaller pets.

As proposed, the parks will be hemmed in by 6-foot-tall fences. Sidewalks and fountains will be installed.

Dog owner Sandy Millen frequently walks her four-legged friends on the streets and trails at Harrison Hills. She said a space for them to run around will be a bonus.

“They like to walk, but sometimes it would be nice for them just to run and play,” she said. “Plus, I can bring them on days when I don’t necessarily feel like walking, but they can still get exercise.”

The new space at Harrison Hills will be adjacent to the Rachel Carson shelter in the top section of the park.

Passersby might notice that some site work already has been done. There were several trees that had to come down to prep for the park. Perkovich said they were ones that were diseased or otherwise ready to fall on their own.

Other dog parks throughout the county are well-used, he said.

In the past five years, the county has opened two off-leash spaces at Boyce Park in Monroeville, one at Settlers Cabin and one at South Park.

There are existing dog parks at Hartwood Acres, North Park and White Oak Park in McKeesport.