A ribbon is cut by Adam Weitsman, center, and hosted by the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce to officiate the opening of the Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park located at Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y. on Sept. 4, 2015.
On the left, Steve Paul, ODOG vice president and flanked by other ODOG members, prepares guests for a tour, and then a “Paws In” at the Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park located at Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y. on Sept. 4, 2015.
Small dogs enter the park on opening day of the Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park located at Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y. on Sept. 4, 2015.
Larger dogs wander, sniff, and play on opening day of the Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park located at Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y. on Sept. 4, 2015.
Much activity on opening day of the Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park located at Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y. on Sept. 4, 2015.
Jill Teeter is pictured with her best friend on opening day at the Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park located at Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y. on Sept. 4, 2015.
On Sept. 4, 2015, and right before the long Labor Day weekend, guests were able to arrive at the long anticipated Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park in Owego, N.Y. with their canine friends for a ribbon cutting, moment of silence for Rebecca Weitsman, and then a “Paws In” to the nearly 3-acre park located at Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y.
The project, which has been about five years since the idea’s conception, was a collaborative effort between the Town of Owego, the Owego Dog Owner’s Group (ODOG), and then Delta Engineers and the major contractor – Homer C. Gow & Sons.
Adam Weitsman, owner of Upstate Shredding and Ben Weitsman and Son in Owego, N.Y., fully funded the project in memory of his sister, Rebecca (Becky), who was an avid dog lover. Becky passed away in 2001 after losing her battle with cancer.
At the official opening of the park on Friday, and prior to a ribbon cutting headed by Gwen Kania, president and CEO of the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce, Weitsman spoke for a few minutes about his sister.
“My sister was a huge dog lover,” said Weitsman to the large group of guests and their canine companions who gathered for the opening, adding, “we wanted to do something in her memory, and she would love this. It’s also a great place for people to come with their dogs. I think the park turned out beautiful.”
Weitsman also thanked everyone for making this dream a reality, a dream that was conceived prior to the flood of 2011. The park was initially looked at for a build at that time, but when the floodwaters hit the region from Tropical Storm Lee, Weitsman, as well as others, was affected and planning stalled.
But following the cleanup and rebuild from the flood, planning began once again with a group, ODOG, forming as a not-for-profit and taking charge of overseeing the build and working with the Town as they formed agreements and worked through the painstaking process of getting all the permits needed for work to begin.
In May of this year, Homer C. Gow & Sons was awarded the bid as the prime contractor for construction, and began working with the Town of Owego immediately, as well as Delta Engineers. Steve Paul, vice president of operations for ODOG and Nancy Eckstrom, board president of ODOG, were onsite almost daily, along with other ODOG members, to oversee the park’s build, and to fine-tune its maintenance during the process.
“We have a beautiful facility, with a large dog area, small dog area, and an agility gym,” said Paul. During opening remarks on Friday, he added, “People go by and are awestruck on the size and the beauty and the splendor, and it’s a great tribute to Adam’s sister.”
Jill Teeter arrived on opening day with her Yorkshire Terrier, and stated that she loves the park. “I plan on bringing my dog here for some socialization, and will be using it regularly,” said Teeter, who even assisted with some of the photos from the Ribbon Cutting for the park.
Joe Bloomer also arrived with his new rescue pup, Buddy. Watching Buddy get removed from his leash in the small dog area on Friday was evidence that the park’s opening was highly anticipated by area dogs as well.
During the opening ceremony, ODOG was on-hand to offer information about membership as well as representatives from Stray Haven in Waverly, N.Y. and Animal Care Sanctuary out of East Smithfield and Wellsboro in Pennsylvania. The groups offered information about their animal welfare efforts and the need for finding homes for adoptable dogs – and even brought a pup or two for a day out.
There were also raffles of three baskets to benefit ODOG, generously donated by Tender Loving Care by Maureen’s on Lake Street in Owego, N.Y.; euPAWria located on Route 434 in Owego, N.Y. and inside the Johnson Pool Plaza; and Fuddy Duddy’s, also located on Lake Street in Owego, N.Y. Agway also offered treats and a variety of biscuits for dogs attending the opening event.
Adam Weitsman stands near a dog, awaiting the opening of the Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park located at Hickories Park in Owego on Sept. 4, 2015. Adam Weitsman funded the project in memory of his sister.
Sharon Wild was the winner of the euPAWria raffle basket; Diane Le won the basket prepared with a leash and dog bowl, and other items from Tender Loving Care by Maureen’s; and Laura Spencer Eberly was the winner of the basket prepared by Fuddy Duddy’s.
A huge thanks is extended to all who participated to make the opening day a great success.
The dog park is located over the bridge and past the main park pavilion and soccer fields, and will be open to the public when Hickories Park is open. And although the park is now built on municipal property, ODOG will ultimately be assisting with the park’s upkeep through fund raising efforts and membership. You can visit them at owegodogs.org to learn how to donate, or to become a member.
The Town will also be performing mowing and other tasks surrounding the dog park, and a set of rules are displayed on the “dog house” type building located by the pillars and arch that signify the “Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park”.
Throughout the park there are benches, areas of shade, watering stations, and dog waste stations with bags, an important aspect for dog owners utilizing the park to be aware of.
There is also an agility course, located in a separate area, to offer training, or just some fun for the dogs visiting the park.
Most of all, a huge thanks is extended to Adam Weitsman for fully funding the dog park, and to Rebecca Weitsman, posthumously, for being the inspiration.
Click here to view more photos from the opening.
