ADAMS, Mass. — Pups have been enjoying the new dog park for months now but it finally got the red-ribbon treatment on Saturday morning. 

 

Officials cut the ribbon the park with the help of the Northern Berkshire Events Committee, which organized the event, and with complimentary Pup Cups from Roxie's Barkery.

 

"As we all know, things in government move kind of slow," said Selectman Jay Mezycwor. "The Hoosac Valley Coal & Grain Park Project, as it was called, was developed over a number of years. ... 

 

"The thought here was to transform a vacant former industrial and commercial site here at 1 Cook Street, which formerly housed the coal and grain elevator and feed store."

 

Mezycwor described the dog park as a "critical piece in the transformation of this property," which includes event and picnic space, accessible walkways and public parking along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. 

 

Plans for the park back in 2021 had included the renovation of the coal and grain building but that had to be put on the backburner until more funding becomes available. About $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds was used to remediate the site, remove underground tanks, tear down some outbuildings and landscape the park. 

 

Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture of Hudson, N.Y., did the design and D.F. Lane Landscaping Inc of Lenox the construction, which was completed last fall. 

 

"Most people recognize the historic grain elevator building, which dates back to 1855," said Mezycwor. "It's iconic character created strong community desire to save the building, and then decided to do some restoration and remediation of the area here that we see in the park on the grounds, it seemed like a perfect landmark that all can enjoy, both human and canine."

 

The off-leash area is fenced in with a gated entry system, cleanup bags and disposal, picnic tables, rocks and logs for interest, and a young maple that will eventually offer shade. There is no separation for large and small dogs.

 

The park has picnic tables and young shade trees, grassy areas and hardscape, and concrete forms and foundations leftover from the site's past that now take on the appearance of modern art. 

 

There were more people than dogs at the park for the official opening on Saturday, but at about a half-dozen pooches ran around the new park and went home with Nylabones.

 

Selectwomen Ann Bartlett and Christine Hoyt and Selectman Joseph Nowak helped Mezycwor along with Police Sgt. Curtis Crane and K9 Adam. Also on hand were Town Clerk Haley Meczycwor and Kyomi Belanger of the Community Development Office. 

 

Mezycwor thanked the Community Development Office for its efforts to bring the park to fruition and the Northern Berkshire Events Committee, a volunteer group, for sponsoring the event and providing several raffle prizes.