Tails wag at Spring Hill bark park

With all the rain this past week, Nick Abramsne and his four-legged friend Anna Banana haven't enjoyed the dog park at Rotary Centennial Park.

Friday was the first sunny day all week and they were taking advantage of it.

"As long as the sun is shining we come, she'll wake me up in the morning so she can come to the park," Abramsne said.

He refers to Anna Banana as the park's dentist because when ever she gets the chance she'll lick clean any dog's teeth that will let her.

Paul Revere and his dog Rex were also at the park enjoying the good weather.

Like Abramsne and Anna Banana, Revere said he visits the park, which opened on Jan. 31, most weekdays with his dog.

Rex and Anna Banana have become friends and run around together for hours until they get tired and go home. Revere said people will come in shifts. The morning shift usually consists of about eight people and 12 dogs.

Abramsne said he also enjoys playing chess with other dog owners who regularly visit the park.

Abramsne and Revere both said the dog owners are responsible and regularly pick up after their pets, adding it's the main reason the park remains clean.

Parks director Pat Fagan said in the months that followed the park's opening, there were a few concerns about some dogs and their owners not picking up after them, but since then there have been no concerns.

The dog owners are taking responsibility of the dogs and cleaning up after them, he said.

The park at 10375 Sandlor St. has also given birth to a new park program.

Hernando County Parks and Recreation teamed up with Dog Gone Solutions to offer dog training classes at the park. The classes begin Saturday, July 18, and run for six weeks.

For more information about the classes, call 877-789-PAWS.