Dogs' Day Has Arrived

The moment the bow wow crowd has been waiting for has finally arrived.

The county's first dog park opens Saturday more than four years after Rotary Central Club of Spring Hill decided to make it happen.

A grand opening will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. at the park, 3075 Sandlor St.

County and Rotary officials will be on hand to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the eight-acre park, which includes fenced areas for large and small dogs to roam, picnic pavilions, restrooms and a lighted, paved parking area.

The Hernando County SPCA, the Humane Society of the Nature Coast and local veterinarians will offer information for pet owners.

The roughly $200,000 project was a joint effort between the parks and recreation department, the Rotary Club and a host of donors and volunteers. The club, one of the smallest in the region with about two dozen members, took up the effort to celebrate Rotary International's centennial.

Fundraising was slowgoing, causing the opening date to be pushed back several times, but the effort was eventually fruitful.

Among the major contributors to the park are Blackrock Construction of Spring Hill, Cemex/Rinker, which has pledged a total of $100,000, and The Home Depot, which gave $10,000 recently to help push the opening date up. The county chipped in $50,000 and some manpower.

A second phase will include two basketball courts, two sand volleyball courts and a large picnic pavilion.

If you go:

WHAT: Grand opening of Rotary Centennial Park.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 31. Park is open dawn to dusk.

WHERE: 10375 Sandlor St., Spring Hill (park is at corner of Sandlor and Landover Boulevard).

ADMISSION: Free

CONTACT. Hernando County Parks and Recreation, 754-4027.