By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- St. Lawrence County’s first ever dog park, the Potsdam Community Dog Park, 17 Madrid Ave., behind the Potsdam Humane Society will hold its grand opening Sunday, Oct. 1 at noon.

Local community members, along with their well socialized, healthy, and non-aggressive dogs (www.potsdamdogpark.org), are all invited to attend this grand opening event which will consist of a leash-cutting ceremony and a tour.

There will be appearances by the Potsdam Batman and North Country Wonder Woman. Cake, donuts, and apple cider will be provided for all attendees.

Place to Play, Socialize

“This is a dream come true for me, as well as many in the community,” Deborah Massell, Potsdam Community Dog Park’s co-founder and president said.

Massell presented the idea to the Potsdam Humane Society about five years ago after she adopted a dog from the shelter and the new pet was in need of space to run and socialization opportunities.

The PHS was a good fit because it had unused land behind its facility and it would give the humane society a chance to have shelter dogs get exercise, socialize and train for possible adoption.

Massell said her dog was “needing so much activity and pals to play around with – she was a little out of control and would run away,” she said.

Massell began taking her canine friend to dog parks in the northeast and quickly saw the benefits.

“It’s wonderful to be out in nature with our dogs running, sniffing, and making friends in a safe environment,” she said.

The space is already being used by the animal shelter for dogs housed there. “It’s especially gratifying to give the shelter dogs somewhere to be free for a while until they find a real home,” Massell said.

The animal shelter dogs roam around in a separate area from what is open to the public. “They are loving it,” she said, adding that “part of the mission was to give shelter dogs this freedom from being caged up 24-7.”

Not For All Dogs

The Potsdam Community Dog Park says its mission statement is "To offer a safe, off-leash, enriching environment for community dogs and their people, as well as education and resources to benefit shelter dogs and promote responsible dog ownership” will finally be realized.

Massell warns that “not every dog is meant for a dog park.” Noting that there are many rules for the park to ensure safety for all, including humans.

She said dogs must be off-leash, able to be around other dogs safely, be spayed or neutered and cannot show any aggressive behavior.

There will be no formal staff enforcing the rules. Massell said it will be “self-policing” and that “everyone has to be responsible and know if your dog needs to be taken out of the park.”

Dogs also need to be under voice control. “You need to be able to call to your dog and it comes to you,” she said.

Massell said there are many ways to see if your dog is suitable for the dog park. “Take them for a walk downtown to meet other dogs and see if they are aggressive, or take them to a fenced in backyard and have them interact with another dog.”

Massell also said training classes could help too.

Volunteers and Donations

Massell was active behind the scene getting work done, while her husband Jackson Francisco was the “physical leader.”

Francisco suffered a stroke in July and has been unable to continue his work, but thankfully members of the community stepped up in his absence and the project has continued forward. “The community rallied and people threw themselves into the project to help out,” she said.

The project was completed with the help of around 150 to 200 volunteers ranging from fraternities, local athletes and community members.

“We’re grateful for all the support these last four years -- we have a great core group of committee members and friends, and it’s been a real labor of love,” Massell said. “We’re so grateful to everyone who has contributed their labor, materials, or funds in some way.”

The three-acre wooded park includes a fenced-in area for large dogs and one for small dogs, as well as space for shelter dogs to exercise and meet future owners.

Also available are several walking trails, waste receptacles, bag dispensers, and benches. After the grand opening ceremony, the dog park will be open every day from dawn until dusk, unless closed for maintenance.

There is no fee to use the park, however donations (via the website) are accepted and directly benefit park improvements and maintenance. A physical donation receptacle is expected to be installed at some point in the future for immediate donations.

The park will need to pay for insurance, snow plowing, repairs to fencing, mowing and there are still plans to get water access to the park as well.

The park has been funded through $90,000 in donations, mostly in labor and materials and from Massell and Francisco as well. “We’ve put a lot of our money into it.” Donations of time, goods and services also helped the project come to be.

This dog park, soon to earn non-profit status, has been supported by monetary and material donations/labor from multiple local businessesand organizations including but not limited to Agway, Lowe’s, JE Sheehan Corp., West Parishville Sand & Gravel, Walmart, Martin’s Maple Street Station, Bicknell’s, the Boy Scouts, North Country Community Foundation, and hundreds of area residents.

“Additionally, the Potsdam Humane Society has been an invaluable partner with their continued support and use of their land,” Massell said. “Thanks also goes out to the Potsdam Village for their belief in this project.”

Questions, comments, or volunteer inquiries can be sent to contact@potsdamdogpark.org. See complete rules for the park at www.potsdamdogpark.org. or ‘like’ their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/communitydogpark/ or visit us at www.potsdamdogpark.org.