Seymour Dog Park Is Open, Formalities & Finishing Touches Scheduled For The Spring

SEYMOUR – Man’s best friend has a new place to frolic after the unofficial opening of the town’s dog park at Sochrin’s Pond on Moss Avenue.

The town won’t formally celebrate the grand opening until spring because there is still more work to be done. But the area has been fenced in, with separate areas for both small and big dogs.

On a recent chilly afternoon, resident Carol Crawford and her 3‑year old Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix Baby Girl paid the park a visit.

“We used to walk down here all the time before it was a dog park, and now that it’s fenced in, more people are really going to enjoy it,” Crawford said. ​“I think it’s wonderful, and it’s a very nice thing for people and their dogs.”

First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis said a new gazebo will be going in, as well as some benches, signage, and a walking path along the fence line. Water spigots will be installed to provide fresh water for the pooches, as well as doggy poop bag dispensers.

“We don’t have everything in there as of yet and are hoping to do a grand opening in the spring,” Drugonis said.

The First Selectwoman said people have been asking about a Seymour dog park since at least 2007, when she was first elected to the Board of Selectpersons. The desire is greater now because many people adopted dogs during the pandemic, she said.

Resident Taylor Westlund, who owns T.S.W. Landscape Design and Fence Builders in Oxford, donated his time and resources to building the dog park. Westlund said he saw people’s posts on Facebook about a need for a dog park, and decided to help.

The project would have otherwise cost an estimated $30,000 to $50,000.

Drugonis said the gazebo and signage are also being donated.

“This was all donated, the town has not put any money into the new dog park,” she said.

The town will continue to maintain the park, as it did previously.

Westlund installed some 1,400 linear feet of black chain link fence, and put up split rail fencing along the entrance of the park, with new gates. He also plans to do some landscaping, including planting some new trees.

Keep an eye on the First Selectwoman’s Facebook page for info about the formal opening planned for the spring.