Idea for North Side dog park draws interest

January 7, 2015 at 12:07a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The late Frankie Halfacre was known more for being a local broadcasting legend than for rescuing dogs, but the latter may lead to a formation of a dog park in his name.

“My father was all about doing a little good in the neighborhood,” said his daughter, Madelyn Half-acre, who came up with the idea to build such a park in Crandall Park on the North Side and name it after her father, who also was known as “Mr. Lucky.”

Halfacre, who lives on nearby Tod Lane, was among about 20 attendees at Tuesday’s informational meeting on the topic at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane, on the North Side.

The Youngstown Park & Recreation Department hosted the one-hour session.

Providing guidance for the proposed project was Boardman Township Administrator Jason Loree, who explained what went into establishing the 3.25-acre Marge Hartman Paws Town dog park in Boardman Park, which was conceptualized in October 2009.

Loree noted that the $110,000 park’s features include a double gate to prevent dogs from escaping, small receptacles for dog waste, separate areas for small and large dogs, water sources and a small attachment to hose mud off the animals. Also, users pay $40 per year, he said.

The facility required a lot of planning, such as forming fundraising committees and taking into account the best location.

In addition, the site had to be graded to prevent standing water, Loree explained, adding that continual upkeep and maintenance are essential for any dog park.

“It’s not just build it and walk away,” he said. “It takes a lot of attention.”

Mayor John A. McNally encouraged attendees to form a committee to get the project off the ground, saying that the idea is worthy of further discussions.

Concurring was Councilman Nate Pinkard, D-3rd, who asked those in favor of the dog park to take into account certain recurring costs.