By Andrea Cordle
Southwest Editor
The new city dog park located along Demorest Road has its official name.
It will be called Breck Community Park. At the March 17 meeting, Grove City Council signed off on the name.
According to Kim Conrad, the city’s parks and recreation director, the park board voted to name it Breck Community Park after William and Elizabeth Breck.
The resolution said the Breck family founded Grove City, organized the city and recruited people to live in the area.
“We wanted the name to have a historical significance,” said Conrad. “It’s our way of paying homage to the family.”
According to the Grove City Area Visitors and Convention Bureau, William Breck purchased land in Jackson Township in 1846 or 1847. He and Elizabeth were one of the early settlers to the area.
“This is a great honor for this family,” said councilwoman Maria Klemack-McGraw.
The Breck Community Park is a 22-acre parcel of land, located west of Demorest Road, south of Marsol Avenue and north of Anglebrook Drive. About seven acres would be dedicated to dogs. The park will feature a large dog off-leash area and a small dog off-leash area. The park will also feature a pet-themed playground, walking trails, a fishing pier and community gardens.
Conrad said she hopes for a spring opening.
According to Grove City Mayor Richard “Ike” Stage, the city has invested $1.4 million into the park so far.
Council has agreed to sponsor legislation to foot the bill for additional parking. Conrad said currently there are 19 parking spaces.
“The 19 parking spaces are grossly inadequate,” said councilman Steve Bennett.
Council president Ted Berry agreed.
“Dog parks are extremely popular,” said Berry. “We are going to have people parking on the grass, creating a mess.”
Conrad said an additional 52 parking spaces would cost approximately $198,000.
Bennett and Berry said they were in favor of moving forward with a plan to put that funding into additional parking. They also wanted to add restroom facilities.
Stage suggested putting the restrooms in when they put in the play area. That way, it would go into the 2015 budget.
Berry and Bennett agreed, but stressed the need for facilities at the park.
“It’s not just for dogs,” said Berry. “It’s for kids and people too.”
