News Headlines

Eagle Scout's Dog Park Opens in Clarke County

Posted: 11:15 AM Jul 28, 2012
Reporter: Brian Kaufman

Eagle Scout's Dog Park Opens in Clarke County

“We've had a lot of calls,” says Clarke County Parks and Rec Director Lisa Cooke. “People just really excited that they're going to have some place to come. I’m glad the day finally has come to say it's open now. I think it's gonna get a lot of use.”

Cooke is a dog owner who is excited about using the new off-leash dog park at Chet Hobert Park.

It just so happens she's also the county's Parks and Rec Director, who was approached by Daniel Judge with his Eagle Scout proposal: a dog park.

“To finally open it means a lot,” says Judge. “It's been 6 months of hard work. To be able to see the dogs out here kind of puts it all in reality and is just a great feeling overall.”

A great feeling for the Eagle Scout who thought of the dog park, and a great feeling for the local residents who can't wait to put it to use.

“Our dogs are home just the two of them,” says Joyce Cooke of Berryville. “Cody can play with dogs his own size here, where at home he just has a larger one.”

Daniel is headed off to UVA for school in the fall. He says he'll check in on the park each time he's home, but the feedback he's already gotten goes a long way.

“What really was a tell-tale sign for me, was before the park even opened we had a lot of people calling and emailing about when they could use it,” says Judge. “Some people were even out here before they were technically supposed to, but their devotion to the park says a lot and will go a long way for the dog park in the future.”

The park has different areas for small dogs and large dogs and asks you to please pick up after your dog in the park.