GLASGOW, Del. – New Castle County Councilman David L. Tackett, County Executive Thomas P. Gordon and NCC Council President Christopher Bullock have teamed up to develop a bark park at Glasgow Regional Park near Newark.
Glasgow Regional Park has always welcomed leashed dogs. Now, there will be a new off-leash bark park for the owners of well-mannered canines who enjoy a good run or a friendly romp. A bark park is a place where people and their dogs can socialize with other canines and their owners in an area fenced off from the rest of the park so as to not interfere with the enjoyment of the park by other visitors.
The bark park concept falls in line with the County Executive’s goal of establishing county parks that welcome everyone.
County Executive Gordon said he and Councilman Tackett have had a shared vision for the Bark Park in Glasgow since about 2002, during Gordon’s last term in office.
“This is an example of the executive branch and County Council working together as a team,” Gordon said. “This is good government.”
Located on more than 200 acres at Del. Routes 896 & 40, Glasgow Regional Park currently provides a number of outdoor activities including walking trails, a sledding hill and a skate park. This new bark park will be a welcome addition to this outstanding park, Councilman Tackett said.
“It has been my goal from the beginning to provide the residents a place where they can bring the family to relax in the fresh air and enjoy outdoor activities,” he said. “When the bark park is completed, a part of that goal will be accomplished. Moving forward, I will be exploring other amenities that people could take pleasure in at Glasgow Park.”
Council President Bullock said this Bark Park would serve as a model for other neighborhoods and districts throughout New Castle County.
“Improving the quality of life for families and their pets is a priority for this Council,” he said.
The bark park will be planned and constructed by the NCC Department of Special Services and will feature benches, drinking fountains for both people and canines, disposal bags and trash cans.
Special Services Senior Manager Tracy Surles said NCC was essentially modifying the design used at Iron Hill Park as necessary for the new bark park at Glasgow Park.
Acting Special Services General Manager Wayne Merritt told Gordon on Thursday that the park’s fence had been ordered and would be installed soon.
The grand opening of the bark park is scheduled for July 1, 2013. Deputy Chief Administrative Officer James McDonald said the drinking fountains may not be in place by then due to pending engineering work. But he said the Executive Office had apprised Tackett of its goal to expedite construction as quickly as possible