RONCEVERTE (WVDN) – After months of waiting, the Ronceverte Island Dog Park is being installed on the Ronceverte Island Park.
The dog park is slated for an official opening on July 1 and fencing for the park is going up with plans for improvements and embellishments to come before the park opens.
“Y’all. We did it! Thank you for your continued support and excitement in bring the first dog park of Southern West Virginia to Ronceverte,” Chris Rodriguez-Stanley, resident of Ronceverte and volunteer who raised funds for the park, says. “Watching as community members and business leaders stepped up to raise $30,000 to build the park is such a wonderful example of
West Virginia and Appalachia.”
Rodriguez-Stanley first approached the city of Ronceverte about constructing a dog park on the Ronceverte Island Park in late 2020. As a native of Ronceverte, he wanted to find ways to help the town revitalize, redevelop, and attract more people to call the River City home.
“I am in awe of the many people, both Ronceverte citizens and people of surrounding communities, that have worked together to raise over $30,000 to make the area’s first dog park a reality,” Deena Pack, mayor of Ronceverte, says. “It has been so moving to see our community come together and gift a dog park to the city.
“Ronceverte is a great place for outdoor recreation, and this community-funded dog park is another example of what is possible when people come together and work towards a vision of bettering their town and the lives of citizens who live there. We can’t wait to see our neighbors and friends gathering on the park while their pups get the exercise and play area they deserve.”
Local nonprofit group Friends of Ronceverte played an integral part in facilitating the fundraising. The organization worked with Rodriguez-Stanley and the city of Ronceverte to make the dog park a reality for the Greenbrier Valley.
In late-2021, Rodriguez-Stanley put out a call to the local community and businesses to help raise a portion of funds needed to give Ronceverte a dog park, and residents answered. Greenbrier Home Inspections and Harmony Ridge joined several other local businesses and private community members to get the project over the financial finish line.
“Thank you to every person who has donated to and championed the construction of this dog park,” Rodriguez-Stanley says. “You are all amazing people, and I can’t wait to see you down on the Ronceverte Island Dog Park July 1.”
The newest addition to the Ronceverte Island Park is bringing a new activity and gather place for residents of the Greenbrier Valley where dogs can safely run around off-leash with their friends who their owners connect with neighbors and fellow residents.
“Many people do not have the advantage of letting their pets play outdoors. Here they can be taken off the leash and allowed to run and play. Many dogs love to play and interact with other dogs,” Pamela Mentz, the city administrator for Ronceverte, says. “Come down and bring your canine friend to see what Ronceverte has to offer at our brand new dog park. Help us make it a
success and be a part of the growth that is happening in Ronceverte.”
The site of the Ronceverte dog park. |
New fencing for the park |
Construction at the future dog park |
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