Construction begins on Dayton Dog Park

After years of planning, the Dayton Dog Park will took the first step into becoming a reality with a groundbreaking at the site last week.

"It's great because a lot of people are thinking it's not really going to happen," said Barbe Seal, a member of the Dayton Dog Park Committee. "We're showing them that it is going to happen, and it's going to be wonderful."

The idea started in November 2008 with Dayton resident Sarah Fleming.

Being disabled, she couldn't walk her three rat terriers on a leash as is required in county parks. She wanted a park where dogs could run freely, similar to the setup at Fuji Park in Carson City.

By spring of 2009, 16,000 signatures of support had been collected and Lyon County Commissioners granted 2.6 acres of park land near Como Park and Dayton Elementary School for the development of the Dayton Valley Dog Park.

It is expected to be open to the public by late summer.