Plans for South Carroll Dog Park soft opening still on for Monday, organizer says

After some four years of planning and organizing, the South Carroll Dog Park in Eldersburg will hold a “soft opening” on Monday, March 16, weather permitting.

According to Kathy Martin, lead volunteer of the Friends of South Carroll Dog Park group, the soft opening will be for members, providing a chance for administrative offices to ramp up the processes in place before the grand opening on April 26.

“It’s just really going to be an opportunity for us to make sure our codes work, make sure the gate opens, let the dogs get acquainted," said Martin. “The space between the soft opening and the grand opening will include some down times because things are still being installed. For example, we’re in the middle of considering how we’re going to get a shed.”

Martin also said the time will also allow people to start using the park and registering, but there will be some days between March 16 and April 16 that the park will be closed for installations.

Martin confirmed Friday evening that the event is still happening, amid cancellations of many events due to the coronavirus commonly known as COVID-19. Martin said she doesn’t expect more than 25 attendees, and believes the space allows people to keep a distance of 6 feet away from one another.

A groundbreaking ceremony in October held by community organizers and Carroll County officials marked the beginning of the park. The Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks and the Friends of South Carroll Dog Park jointly held the fundraiser event at the site of the park, behind the South Carroll Senior Center at 5928 Mineral Hill Road.

Signage at the park still needs to be installed and a large welcome sign has been ordered in hopes that it will be in place just prior to the grand opening, according to Martin.

Dogs shouldn’t be in the park if they aren’t members.

“From my point of view, people can come but if they want their dogs to be in the park playing with other dogs, they really should be a member of the park,” said Martin. “Because then they have a dog license. The registered dogs will receive a tag that they are to display just as they do at the Bennett Cerf Dog Park [in Westminster].”

Each household can register two dogs for $30 for the year and each additional dog is another $5.

According to Martin, there isn’t a definite number of expected guests at the soft opening, but by last week about 50 families registered.

The Monday soft opening could be postponed if there are poor weather conditions. Updates can be found on the dog park’s Facebook page.

Further information, such as park rules, pricing and the membership form can be found at the Carroll County’s parks and recreation website.