Following two recent upgrades, the Shiloh Road Bark Park is ready to welcome pups and their owners to enjoy time outside this summer. The park, which is known for its notable hills perfect for a game of fetch, now features spigots for water access and new lighting to improve safety.

District 4 Alderman J. Spencer Gustafson says the community asked and the city answered after the requests for the additions were suggested at a Park and Recreation meeting last fall.

“It was a lot of work by a lot of the park goers and a lot of the volunteers of the park kind of banding together and sharing their wishes to the city,” said Gustafson, “the Park and Rec committee kind of took it to heart and had Municipal Services work on a plan to get water and lighting out there.”

The much-needed improvements were made possible since the Public Safety Training Facility used by the Fire Department is located next door which made running water lines easier. In addition to water access to hydrate furry visitors, lighting will extend the hours the park can be used.

Though the park is maintained by Municipal Services, Gustafson appreciates the many volunteers that dedicate their time to caring for the park as well. 

“That park has a wonderful group of volunteers,” he added, “a lot of the greenery and other things over there are well-kept by the volunteers so it’s kind of got its own community over there.”

The upgrades join the lineup of the park’s existing outdoor amenities which include two separate fenced areas with a connecting gate, benches, and plenty of space to run and play.