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City officials Monday held a blessing ceremony for Honolulu’s newest off-leash dog park, at Aala Park.
With excited barks, several small dogs entered the park, which was made possible through a public-private partnership between the city and a nonprofit called the Aala Dog Park Association.
Aala Park reopened in February after the city closed it for about two months for maintenance work. The improvements — part of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s Kakou for Parks initiative — include newly maintained grass areas, a renovated comfort station, a play court and a playground.
“Through initiatives like Kakou for Parks we have shown the public that we care about our parks, and we want them to care too,” said Caldwell in a news release. “Today it’s about more caring, like American Savings Bank moving in across the street, and what the Aala Dog Park Association has done. We want them and the community to be a part of our parks, and to come and celebrate life. I am truly grateful for all of their involvement.”
The dog park measures about 10,000 square feet and is in an area that was underutilized, according to Caldwell.
The Aala Dog Park Association paid for fencing and concrete pads that cost just over $40,000, while various city departments assisted in the design, landscaping and permitting. The park is divided into separate areas for small and large dogs.
In January the association launched a GoFundMe campaign and was able to raise $7,375 in just one month, surpassing its goal of $5,000. The campaign said it had already secured a $25,000 “Bark for Your Park” grant from PetSafe and a $5,000 grant from American Saving Bank, which had agreed to match the funds raised on GoFundMe.
Area residents Cathy Honda and Jen Hansen, who are with the association, were happy a nearby park is available for their dogs, Pono and Pixel.
Honda said it was exciting to have a dog park within walking distance and that it could be a positive place for both dogs and people.
“We’re super excited to just have a place that they can run, and not bother anyone and have anyone bother them,” said Hansen. “It’s really, really good socialization for the dogs, and for humans, as well.”
It is the fifth off-leash dog park on Oahu managed by the city Department of Parks and Recreation, in addition to others at Ala Wai, Hawaii Kai, Moanalua and Mililani. The state operates the Diamond Head Bark Park.
The Aala dog park hours will be the same as Aala Park’s, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS ON OAHU
>> Ala Wai Dog Park
>> Diamond Head Bark Park
>> Hawaii Kai Park & Ride
>> Aala Park
>> Moanalua Community Park
>> Mililani Park & Ride
Source: City Department of Parks and Recreation
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