With a ribbon-cutting, animal-themed vendors, and lots of happy barking dogs, plus their owners, the Fairfax City Dog Park officially opened, Saturday morning, June 15. Located on the former Westmore Elementary School site at 11000 Berry St., it actually opened May 1, but the recent ceremony was combined with the City’s annual FidoFest.

The park has a fenced exercise/run area (the fence is a gift from Affectionate Pet Care) and park benches. All dogs with current licenses are welcome, and waste bags and a receptacle are provided so dog owners may pick up after their pets. Hours are daily from dawn to dusk.

“For a lot of people, dogs are much more than simply a pet,” said Fairax Mayor David Meyer, just before the ribbon-cutting. “They’re an integral part of families, provide companionship to single people living alone and, in some cases, can even save a life.”

With more and more people living in townhouses and condos – and, therefore, not having yards of their own, said Meyer, “Safe and attractive places for dog owners to take their dogs are essential. The City of Fairfax is pleased to have this new facility to meet the needs of our citizens and their dogs.”

Although the grand opening was initially scheduled for several months ago, it kept getting delayed because of all the rain. So, said Meyer, “It’s been a long time coming and we’re excited to be here. However, we couldn’t open it with just money from taxes. This was a partnership with Affectionate Pet Care, and we thank them for their financial support to make this happen.”

He also thanked the Westmore Citizens Assn. for allowing the new dog part to be built within its community. And Maura Brooks, president of the Westmore Citizens Assn., said, “This is a wonderful park, and we look forward to enhancements to it in the future.”

ALSO PARTICIPATING in the ceremony was Tina Petersen, general manager of Affordable Pet Care. Said Petersen: “I’m happy to see a place where dogs can run free.”

And the community turned out in droves for the grand opening, plus FidoFest, which included filled wading pools in which the puppies and dogs happily splashed and played. One of them, a brown, rescue dachshund named Elsie, was particularly thrilled. “She’s originally from south Florida,” said her owner, Luly A. “She loves the water so much, we call her a mermaid.”

Ingrid Jimenez, brought dog Denver, a 3-year-old shepherd/Rottweiler mix. “It’s so cool,” she said of the dog park. “And he was so excited. As soon as we pulled up in the Jeep, he stuck his head out of the window, and his tail hasn’t stopped wagging since we got here.”

Renee Lygon was there with Chai, 3, a Maltese-yorkie mix. “I think this is a great addition to Fairfax City,” she said. “The dogs are really enjoying it, and I’m sure we’ll come back.”

Likewise, Christine Butler – who was at the park for the first time – also planned to return with her bichon frise, Miko, 12. “I love it,” she said. “It’s somewhere dogs can play [off-leash], and it’s fenced in.”

Also enjoying the new park was Howard Pierce, there with his son and dog Maxwell Smart “Max,” a 9-year-old, full-blooded poodle. “He’s also a therapy dog at the Fairfax Regional Library,” said Pierce. “Young kids, 2-6, read to him and other dogs there, weekly.”

AS FOR THE PARK, he said, “It’s wonderful. And I like the water shed where dogs can drink from two water bowls. At the other dog parks, you’ve got to lug in your own water.”