Dog owners will have to wait a few more months for Harrison Hills off-leash space

Carmie Lynch and her dog, Pete, regularly hit the trails in Harrison Hills Park.

When they do, they peek longingly at the newly built 1.3-acre off-leash dog space in the upper section of the Allegheny County-owned park off Freeport Road.

“We are out at there at least once a week checking on the progress,” said Lynch of Brackenridge. “While we’re there, numerous cars with dogs also pass by looking to see if it’s open. I think it’s going to be a well-used resource.”

The county announced plans for the dog park earlier this year, and dog owners have been watching construction of the space ever since.

County spokeswoman Amie Downs said an opening date likely will be in the spring.

That target allows a few months for grass to fill in, she said.

“We’ll need to get some signage up, too,” Downs said.

Contractors worked throughout the summer to prepare the land, which sits on Woodchuck Drive across from the Laurel Shelter.

County landscape architect Joel Perkovich said the large, open field would be the perfect space to transform for dogs to run and play.

The two separate fenced areas include 1 acre for larger dogs and an adjoining space for smaller pets. The space is hemmed in by 6-foot-tall fences. There are paved sidewalks and fountains for fresh water when the days get hot.

Harrison Hills encompasses 500 acres off Freeport Road in the Natrona Heights section of Harrison. It’s one of the few county parks without a leash-free dog space.

Lynch believes the pooch park will be extremely popular.

She joked that “the pups in the neighborhood are waiting impatiently.”

“The fences are up, the pads are in place and they planted grass. But the gates are locked,” Lynch said. “Our pups are eager to play!”