Aspinwall Riverfront Park has launched a trial period for people to enjoy the 10-acre site with their four-legged friends.
The park earned a Healthy Place Award of Excellence last week from the Urban Land Institute, and the board wants to add to its list of amenities, said Susan Crookston, whose company manages the site.
Park-goers can walk their dogs on-leash through January.
There is a maximum of two dogs per person and the pets must be kept under control and out of the gardens, building and playgrounds.
“We believe that this will be an asset to Aspinwall and the surrounding communities and are confident that it will have a positive response,” park board member Rich DeFelice said. “Expanding the locally available dog-friendly space will no doubt be beneficial to residents seeking to walk their dogs beyond their yard or sidewalk.”
Many residents have requested for a long time that dogs be allowed in the park, DeFelice said. The move was delayed until newly planted grasses and plants took root.
“The park and the community invested a lot of time and money into the plants and getting these to take hold,” he said. “We had to ensure that this investment was protected.”
Several of the volunteers who maintain the gardens were involved in the decision to begin the trial period for dogs.
The three-month period is meant to allow the board to assess the response from the community and weigh the effect on the park. Board members will review the issue in February.
Signs, trash bins and waste bag dispensers have been installed at the park. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs, which must be up to date on vaccinations and have an Allegheny County license.
Aspinwall Riverfront Park is situated beyond the Norfolk Southern rail lines, next to the Allegheny River. The park has a quarter-mile walking trail, several native plant gardens, sledding and ice skating in the winter and kayaking in the summer through a partnership with Venture Outdoors.
DeFelice said the park will have volunteers helping to enforce the dog rules, but asks everyone who visits to be responsible and report any violations they might see.
“We are all very excited to add another amenity to the park,” he said.
Tawnya Panizzi is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. Reach her at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, tpanizzi@tribweb.com or @tawnyatrib.
