City and County Celebrate Opening of New Conestee Dog Park

GREENVILLE, SC – Elected officials and staff from Greenville County and the City of Greenville gathered last week at Conestee Park to celebrate the partnership that made the new Conestee Dog Park possible and to provide a sneak peek at the new park’s amenities before it officially opened to the public on Saturday, October 4 in conjunction with the Get Out! Greenville event.

In 2008, the City of Greenville leased the former Municipal Stadium site to Greenville County for a 30-year term. Greenville County redeveloped the site based on a master plan that was created for what is now Conestee Park. The Conestee Park Master Plan included a recommendation that a dog park be constructed at the park; however, funding was not available at the time the plan was implemented. In 2013, the City appropriated $75,000 in its FY 2014 capital budget for a new dog park, and collaborated with the former Greenville County Recreation District on a design for a new dog park at Conestee Park.

Once the design was complete, additional funds were needed in order to construct the dog park as designed, and Greenville County agreed to provide $25,000 toward the cost of construction. The City awarded the contract for construction, and managed the project throughout the course of construction. Greenville County, which also operates Conestee Park, will operate and maintain the dog park going forward.

“The opening of the new dog park highlights how the City and County work together to serve Greenville residents, and Conestee Park is a tremendous example of our inter-governmental partnership,” said Greenville Mayor Pro Tem David Sudduth. “With both the City and County contributing funds for a new dog park, Conestee Park has so much more to offer, and we are especially grateful to the County leadership for helping us make the Conestee Dog Park a safe and friendly place for all Greenville residents to enjoy their pets.”

At more than an acre in size, Conestee Dog Park exceeds best practices for dog parks, and features separate areas for large and small dogs; rounded corners to reduce conflicts between dogs; a dual gate entrance; benches; shaded areas; a water fountain; naturalized areas and abundant parking. The Conestee Dog Park is also ADA accessible. Hours for the new dog park will be “daylight to dark.”

“This a great example of what makes living in Greenville County so wonderful,” said Greenville County Council Chairman Bob Taylor. “We listened to the citizen requests, worked together, and have created a much desired dog park at a great central location that far exceeds best practices for such a facility. Bottom line: we did it right, and I’m proud of everyone involved for adding another great element to enhance the quality of life for all in Greenville County.”