Dog days of winter

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PENDLETON — Dozens of community members joined Pendleton Heights Class of 2018 students, Pendleton park staff and sponsors of Falls Bark Dog Park to celebrate the new canine amenity’s grand opening Saturday morning in Falls Park.

“Their motivation was inspirational,” park employee Denise McKee said, describing how the students raised about $15,000 during their senior year to install the 175-feet-by-175-feet dual-section play area for dogs.

Students Logan Marshall and Anna Bettner spoke, thanking the community and sponsors for their support in getting the project done. Mark Hall, assistant superintendent at South Madison Community School Corp., and two sponsors —Dick Creger of the Pendleton Lions Club and Heather Upton of The Real Estate Pros of Keller Williams — also spoke.

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“I’m super proud to be involved,” Upton said, explaining how her employees helped run a bake sale that raised money for something that is open to everyone to use.

She recalled that she used to drive to Fishers and pay to use a dog park there. Now, she’s a short walk from Falls Bark.

Michael McGuire and Sarah Byerly of Pendleton came out.

“I think it’s good for the community to have a communal place to bring their dogs,” said Byerly, who is a professional dog trainer.

Bryana deWitt, 14, of Pendleton, brought her beagle puppy Recko and Boston terrier Penny to let them get some energy out and meet other dogs, something she said she likely will do at least once a week.

It appears it’s not just local residents who plan to use the dog park regularly.

Ericka Bunnell of Lapel said she likely will visit five days per week with her two black Newfoundlands, ages 1 and 4.

“It’s nice for them to have a place to run with other dogs,” she said.

Stefan and Mary Chavez of Anderson brought their two dogs — Chloe, a shih tzu-Maltese mix, and Cookie, a chihuahua — to play.

“We’ve been looking for a dog park,” Mary Chavez said. “We needed to find one we could call home, and hopefully we’ve found one.”

“It looks like something we’ll enjoy,” Stefan Chavez said.

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