Hang in there, Pressley, Willie, Blue and other North Scottsdale dogs.
The long-awaited Thompson Peak Park Dog Park is underway … but still a long way from being ready to host four-legged players.
The city has begun “native tree salvage and relocation” work on the upscale, $6.1 million dog park.
But actual construction is not slated to begin until the fall, with a grand opening planned for the fall of 2025.
Voters approved the dog park at Thompson Peak Parkway and Hayden Road as part of the 2019 bond package. The new dog play area is modeled after the popular one at Chaparral Park.
The project will include:
• Three fenced cells or play areas for dogs;
• Shade canopies, benches, water fountains and pet waste disposal stations;
• A footbridge to connect the off-leash area to existing park amenities;
• Additional parking along Hayden Road;
• A new restroom building;
• Public art.
Artist Shachi Kale will create four art panels that will be placed on the shade structures in the center cell of the dog park.
Dogs probably will be more interested that plans call for a 1.5-acre section with a grass surface, another 1-acre section with a wood chip surface and one more 1-acre section with a grass surface.
Because dogs give parks a pounding, city officials note, the three areas will be “rotated so the surface can rest and be properly maintained. Without the right maintenance and allocation of space, off leash areas turn into areas of dirt and mud from continuous daily use.”
Inflation and other factors have pushed the park about 33% above its original $4.6 million price estimate.