Jackson residents and their four-legged furry friends are celebrating the official opening of the City’s first dog park! A ribbon cutting event for Betty’s Dog Park held on Thursday, July 1 welcomed this pooch paradise into the community.
The new park is named after Betty Dahlem Desbiens, a long-time Jackson resident who donated funds to make the park possible. Betty’s Dog Park is fully fenced, with separate areas for big and small dogs to roam free, including sidewalks, benches and picnic tables. A secure fence system will help ensure pets do not escape. The dog park makes use of space in Beech Tree Park, a public park that’s been without a use since its award-winning beech tree was removed due to a lightning strike.
Downtown Jackson has seen a housing boom in recent years, with hundreds of new apartment units added to the area. Located within a short walk from downtown, Betty’s Dog Park will be useful for downtown apartment dwellers and their pets to have ample space for play time.
Desbiens helped cut the ribbon at Thursday’s event alongside City officials. She was inspired to help with a dog park project when she drove past Beech Tree Park and saw an elderly man walking his dog. Desbiens realized the park would be a great place for a dog park, and contacted Mayor Derek Dobies to get the project started.
Mayor Dobies attended the event with his dog, a pug named Sir Woof. “We’re excited to have a new amenity downtown for the residents that are already here and those we’re looking to attract,” Mayor Dobies said. “This has been a long time coming. I thank Betty for making this dream a reality.”
The dog-friendly digs is free to use and open to the public. Rules for using the park are posted at the front gate.