A pavilion and animal agility equipment have landed in the future site of Kenai’s first dog park — a project the city and community members have long worked to make a reality.

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank told city council members last week that the park is “coming along nicely” and that patrons are being asked to give the grass time to grow.

Topsoil has been put on the park area, with seeding expected to take place this week or early next week. Fencing will be completed after. The pavilion near the park entrance, Eubank said, is “near complete.”

“Parks and (Recreation) is really pushing me to keep people off of it as long as we can to let that grass get established,” Eubank said of the topsoil.

At around 12 p.m. on Wednesday, a crew of workers could be seen working at the park site, which is located near the Kenai Walmart across the street from Beacon Occupational Health. Behind a wooden pavilion — still under construction — was a field surrounded by trees and dotted with benches and dog agility equipment.

The park, when completed, will be the city’s first dog park. Eubank said in April that the city has eyed July for a grand opening to celebrate the project, which has been years in the making. The land on which the dog park sits covers about 1.5 acres and was donated by the city, which also chipped in about $88,000. Park organizers have also raised more than $43,000 for the project.

More information about the Kenai Dog Park can be found on the Kenai Dog Park Friends Facebook page at facebook.com/KenaiDogPark/.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

A pavillion under construction marks the entrance to the future Kenai Dog Park on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)