Long-awaited Harrison Hills dog park scheduled to open Thursday

Harrison resident Cindy Fantuzzo has a date Thursday with her goldendoodle puppy, Willow.

The pair will celebrate the opening of the long-awaited dog park at Harrison Hills, the 500-acre Allegheny County-owned park off Freeport Road in Harrison.

“So many people have been anxiously waiting for it to open,” said Fantuzzo, who was instrumental in lobbying for the off-leash space.

She spearheaded a petition and organized an online campaign to let county officials know it was in demand.

“I know Willow and I will be there a lot,” Fantuzzo said. “She needs to have new friends to run and play with, and I’m sure I’ll make new friends, too. I can hardly wait.”

The county will host a party from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to celebrate the opening, spokeswoman Amie Downs said. The Special Events Department will have prizes, giveaways and music to mark the event.

The county’s social media post declared it a “paw-some time.”

Built along Woodchuck Drive in the upper section of the park, the site will accommodate large and small dogs in a 1.3-acre space with 6-foot fences. One acre will be dedicated to golden retrievers, huskies and other large dogs; the smaller portion will be for more diminutive breeds such as shih tzus and Yorkshire terriers.

The space will have amenities such as running water, benches and picnic tables, as well as ample parking.

Rules for dog owners are plenty. Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated, leashed when entering and leaving the space, and owners must be in control at all times.

Aggressive dogs are not allowed, nor are dogs in heat. Pet owners must refill any holes dug by their dog.

One of nine county parks, Harrison Hills sits at the northeastern tip of the county and overlooks the Allegheny River.

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

Brackenridge resident Carmie Lynch said she and her dog, Pete, have been keeping regular tabs on the Harrison Hills site, especially since construction appeared to wrap up last fall.

They have been waiting patiently while the grass fills in at the space.

“People in the area are very excited about it,” she said.