Lynn opens Barkland Dog Park

LYNN – Parkland Avenue has gone to, well, the dogs.A gathering of shepherds, a French bulldog and a Belgian Malinois, along with a dozen other dogs of all sizes, their owners and a handful of city officials officially opened the Barkland Avenue Dog Park Monday.”Now we Lynners have something else to wag about,” said Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy as she officially cut the ribbon along with Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce President David Solimine and Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi. Rep. Steven Walsh was also on hand for the event.”This is heaven,” said Kathleen Strangie, watching her dog Jax race up and down the fenced-in park. “He is exhausted every time we come here and run, and my cats are very thankful.”Click for a photo galleryMayoral aide Mary Fountain said the park had a soft opening about 10 days ago to work out any kinks, but the “social club for social dogs” has gone smoothly. Becky Abbott said she has not seen the park empty since it opened.Tasha, Abbott’s 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, played hostess Monday, greeting everyone on two feet and four who came into the park.Abbott said in the past she would head to Lynn Woods or the beach with Tasha but now she goes directly to the park first to see if there are other dogs for Tasha to play with.”It’s how she gets the most exercise,” she said.According to Fountain dog owners need a pass to use the park, which costs $25 “but it all comes back into the park for maintenance and more features.” Dogs also must be registered to Lynn residents. Fountain said there will be a registration drive Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the dog park, which is just across the street from Pine Grove Cemetery.The park also has two areas, one for smaller dogs and another for larger canines.Jack, a 6-year-old Dachshund, raced among the smaller dogs, a red rubber ball clenched tight in his teeth.”I can’t wait to bring my lawn chair down,” said Jack’s owner Diane Tiro.Diane’s husband Dennis scooped up Jack, nuzzling his neck.”This was a good idea,” he said. “Before this we’d just walk up and down Winnepurket or go to the beach when we could get there.”Adrian Cronin strolled into the park with Ruby, a black lab, and Otis, a puggle, both of which immediately fell into step with the other dogs racing around the park.”I love it,” Cronin said, referring to the park. “I’m just happy to have a place where they can run. Yesterday there were a whole bunch of dogs and they all got along.””It’s what I like to see,” Kennedy said. “Look at them all running together showing their pack mentality. I love it.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].