Owego residents will get their say in August about whether or not they want a dog park built in Hickories Park. While an exact date next month has not been set, the town board will be having a public comment session as one of the steps of the review process of the project. The Owego Dog Owners Group pitched the idea to town officials last year. The proposed park is expected to cover almost 3 acres. It would include fenced-in areas for large and small breeds, along with water access to fill pools for dogs to play in in the summer. There are some unsolved issues for the board to figure out, such as liability insurance and park maintenance. Some expect that local volunteers will take an active role in maintaining the park. Adam Weitsman, owner of Upstate Shredding in Owego, has pledged to fully fund the dog park’s estimated $150,000 cost. If the park were to be built, it would be named after Weitsman’s sister Rebecca, an dog lover who passed away in 2011.
