The dog park planned for Hickories Park in Owego is expected to go to a town board vote next month. But first, residents will be able to weigh in on a public hearing in less than two weeks, on September 3rd. Town Supervisor Don Castellucci remains confident that the dog park will pass the vote, which is scheduled for September 17th, but still wants to hear any possible concerns coming from the community. The Owego Dog Owners Group has been lobbying for the park since last year. The proposed park would cover a three-acre parcel of land at Hickories and include fenced in areas for large and small breeds, along with water access to fill pools for dogs on warmer days. The town still needs to create a formal plan for handling regular maintenance of the park, including who will cover maintenance costs. Several residents are working to plan fundraisers to help with the everyday maintenance. Adam Weitsman, owner of Upstate Shredding in Owego, has pledged to cover the cost of building the park, an estimated $150,000. The park would also be named after his sister, Rebecca, a dog lover who passed away in 2001 from colon cancer.
