COASTAL OBSERVER

Georgetown County’s first dog park at Stables Park is a social event in itself for four-legged hounds and humans, too.

“That’s the interesting thing, is there’s so many people here from different areas, some natives, some transplants,” said Dan Heinz of Litchfield. “You get to meet a lot of different people, a lot of different dogs.”

Kathy Kavanagh of Murrells Inlet said she had been waiting for the gates to open. It’s a way for her foxhound, Sadie, and herself to socialize with others.

“She needs the exercise, and I like to chitchat,” Kavanagh said.

The park is much bigger than her yard, she added.

“If she can have somebody chase her, she’s good. If she can dig, she’s good,” Kavanagh said.

That’s certainly what the two hounds did on Tuesday afternoon, running up and down the section of the park intended for large dogs. Sadie and Heinz’ shepherd hound, Girly, played with one another as if they had known each other for years.

“These two seem like they’re old souls,” Heinz said.

The 25,000-square-foot area has another section for small dogs. Parking is located adjacent to the area and a well-used walking trail.

It also has a water bottle filler station along with a doggy fountain. Having water for the dogs is “crucial,” Heinz said, as it saves him from bringing his own.

“It’s very, very well done,” he said.

Heinz said it’s convenient to live within walking distance from Stables Park. He and his wife, Linda, volunteer at All4Paws Animal Rescue, where they adopted Girly two years ago.

Although they have a yard at home, Girly prefers the off-leash dog park, Dan said.

“Once they get used to that, that’s kind of a big deal for them. When we let her out in the yard, she immediately just sits by the gate waiting to come here,” he said. “Some people say the beach is their happy place. This is her happy place.”

“People are already really using it and appreciating it,” said Beth Goodale, the county’s director of Parks and Recreation. “We just needed a place for people to be able to turn their dogs loose to play.”

Dogs must be kept off of the athletic fields and on a leash everywhere else in Stables Park, Goodale said.

She said dog owners are expected to clean up after themselves and their pets.

Linda Heinz said practicing etiquette at the park is important to prevent dog fights. Good etiquette includes allowing the dogs to meet each other through the fence and ensuring the dogs are friendly with one another before removing their leash.

“You have to be careful,” she said.

“That’s also a responsibility of a dog owner,” Dan added.

The conceptual master plan included a dog park, she added. She said not much could have been done with the area otherwise.

Goodale said she prefers to call the space an “off-leash dog run” rather than a “dog park.”

“It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, obstacles and all that stuff,” she said. “That is what we had the most demand for, was a place that you put your dog off the leash and let it run.”

It was added using funds included in the county budget by Council Member Stella Mercado. The Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors paid for upgrades such as benches and shaded picnic tables.

The total cost is estimated to be about $45,000, Goodale said.

“We had a very small budget and we were able to do, I think, something that people really appreciate,” she said.

County officials will cut the ribbon and host an opening ceremony on Friday at 10 a.m. when the park will officially open its gates. Members of CCAR will post signage and rules earlier that morning.

The county is working to start its master plan for upgrades to Wachesaw Park on Old Kings Highway in Murrells Inlet. Once renovations are completed, a dog area will be added to Wachesaw Park.

“People can’t wait,” Goodale said.