Ribbon Cutting — Hancock Town Supervisor Jerry Vernold cuts the ribbon for the Hancock Hounds Dog Park (HHDP) expansion. The facility now offers a separate large dog area. Attending the ceremony were representatives from Jim Serio Real Estate, a major sponsor of the dog park, The Hancock Partners, and the Town of Hancock. Pictured (l-r): Jim Serio, Rosie Hubbs, Amanda Paduch, Richard Lowe, Jerry Vernold, Geraldine Walsh, and Jill Keller.

New Large Dog Run Triples Space and Opens for the Holidays in Hancock

by Kristin Barron at HancockHerald.com

The Hancock Hounds Dog Park (HHDP) held an official opening and ribbon cutting for the new, large dog run at the park located at 661 West Main Street, Hancock, NY on Thursday December 22. The new run, designed for larger dogs, adjoins the smaller dog run which opened last December. The park is a total of 1.5 acres.

“The new dog park expanded to triple it’s size in less than one year after opening,” said Richard Lowe, park secretary and design director, during the opening ceremony on Thursday which featured remarks by park and local government officials. Attendees were invited for coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies to celebrate the opening of the dog run for larger dogs.

This new dog park expansion (phase two) was made possible with a grant from the George A. & Margaret Mee Charitable Foundation awarded in November 2022.

This spring, the park will be further developed to feature a unique collapsible training corner that can also be used as a “holding pen” when a dog needs to adjust to the new environment for proper training and for educational sessions, said Lowe.

“Jerry Vernold, Town Supervisor and the Town Board listened to the community’s need for a dog park. I am grateful to the amazing people who have brought this project to life. Special mention to my fellow officers Richard Lowe, Geraldine Walsh, and Michael Fruchtman. I’m excited about Hancock’s future and all who will benefit from the park, The park means healthier animals, social activities, increased business locally and job opportunities,” said Executive Director Jill Keller.

The Hancock Hounds Dog Park is located behind the Town Office Building at 661 W. Main Street.

Phase 3: A Community Garden

The Hancock Hounds Dog Park Committee also announced more plans for its upcoming Phase 3 project which will include a community garden named after Alice Furfaro the Delaware Valley Garden Club (DVGC)

President from 2012-2021. The DVGC will assist in the design of the gardens with HHDP and the Delaware County Planning Office.

The park is conveniently located behind Hancock Town Hall and next to the recently opened Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations.

The final, fully realized dog park will be completed in Fall/Winter of 2023.

Currently HHDP has more than 58 members supporting the project.

“The Hancock Hounds Dog Park is a testament to Hancock’s growth in recent years and how we value new ideas, and listen to our neighbors,” said Jerry Vernold – Town Supervisor. “We are blown away by the public support and everyday use of the dog park. We had no idea how many people would use it every day.”

For more information about Hancock Hounds Dog Park, Inc, visit hancockhounds.com or email info@hancockhounds.com. Stay tuned for more information on the continued fundraising efforts on GoFundMe and follow HHDP on social media using the handle @HancockHoundsDogPark.

“Perhaps most importantly, the new dog park will also serve as a regional gateway for more canine awareness for causes specific to animal welfare, adoption services, public safety, as well as general physical and mental health,” said Geraldine Walsh HHPD President. “As more people and their animals have been cut off from safely socializing, it remains important to create a safe space for dog owners to train and build trust with their dogs and other dogs in general. This will help establish trust and reduce territorial behavior of dogs here in Hancock.”

Meet Lucy — Lucy is a frequent visitor to the Dog Park. She is the loyal companion to Geraldine Walsh, HHDP president.

HANCOCK HERALD – AUGUST 3RD, 2022

The Hancock Hounds Dog Park has been selected for a chance to win grant funds through the PetSafe® brand “Bark for Your Park” contest which will run August 1 through 31, 2022. This year, PetSafe® announced 30 finalists for its popular “Bark for Your Park” grant contest which will award prizes
totaling $125,000 to nine communities. Since introducing the program in 2011, PetSafe® has donated more than $1.65 million to support more than 80 off-leash dog parks in the United States. Now through August 31, 2022, anyone over the age of 18 that lives within the U.S. can vote once per day, every day
for their favorite community at barkforyourpark.com.

“We need our entire community to help us on this amazing opportunity to win grant monies to make Hancock Hounds Dog Park a reality by voting all month long. Hancock Hounds wants to ensure that we
can be here for years to come and provide dog owners with a safe, comfortable, and secure place to get outside and play with other dogs. The new Hancock Hounds Dog Park is looking to add ADA accessibility, water features, and both a large and small dog run to ensure all dogs and owners feel welcome and safe,” said Jill Keller, Executive Director of the Hancock Hounds Dog Park.

Nov 9, 2021 | Homepage Featured, Local News

By Kristin Barron

Community members gathered Thursday, Nov. 4 for an official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hancock Hounds Dog Park (HHDP) which will be located behind the Hancock Town Hall at 661 West Main Street. Pictured above are, from left to right, front row: Executive Director of the HHDP, Jill Keller, Yolande Zahler, and Judith Present with dog Koda. Back Row: Hancock Supervisor Jerry Vernold, Kelia Dufton, Hancock Partners President Mike Argiros, Hancock Area Chamber of Commerce President and HHDP President, Ashley Rossi, HHDP Secretary and Director of Design, Richard Lowe, Vallessa Monk, Steve Zahler, and Jen and David Karp with dog Clover.

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When Donna Torch approached the Hancock Town Board to ask for the creation of a community dog park this past May, little did she know that in just six months her dream would become a reality.

“There’s a bunch of people who want this to happen,” said Torch, who is the Town of Hancock’s Dog Officer, at that May 4th meeting. But she wondered just who would step up to the effort of organizing such a project. Where could such a park even be located? Torch asked.

Little did she know that waiting in the wings was a team of Town residents looking for a chance to offer their support to area citizens and their canine companions. They called themselves The Hancock Hounds Dog Park (HHDP) committee and they began a search for an ideal park spot.

When the Hancock Town Board offered to donate a vacant lot of town owned land positioned behind the Town Hall building at 661 West Main Street for use in the organization’s project, the committee jumped at the chance. And the new venture began to take shape.

Fast forward to this past Thursday when local business owners, town residents and Hancock Town Supervisor Jerry Vernold (along with several local dogs) all gathered at the site of the new Hancock Hounds Dog Park for the long-awaited groundbreaking ceremony.

Community members drilled holes for the first fence posts that will make up the five-foot fence which will surround the park’s perimeter. The Park is set to open at the end of November, said Richard Lowe, HHDP Secretary and Design Director.

“The outpouring of support for this venture has been incredible”, said Jill Keller, executive Director of the HHDP. “I’m excited about Hancock’s future and all those who will benefit from the park, residents, and four legged friends.”, she said. Keller, who has been driving every week to bring her dog to the closest dog park in Deposit, NY, noted the need for a local dog park for owners and visitors to gather. “Healthier animals, social activities, increased business locally, and job opportunities,” would be the outcome of the new park, she said. “Thank you all,” she said.

Ashley Rossi, President of the HHDP and The Hancock Chamber of Commerce, noted that animal products and services are one of the fastest growing industry sectors in the country. It is estimated that the U.S. will spend more than $900 billion on their pets in 2021, Rossi said. “We want our residents to be able to spend their pet dollars here in Hancock and keep dollars and economic activity at home. We have already seen an influx in dog product businesses emerging in this area to offer their services in the last month alone,” she said.

The HHDP hopes not only to attract new business to Hancock but also to offer classes on dog safety and welfare. Plans to hold seasonal festivals as fundraisers and possibly even build an ice rink in the park for local children are also under consideration.

The new park site is also uniquely situated next to what will become the Town’s new Electric Vehicle Charging Stations which will open in Fall 2022. They are also projected to bring more business to the town.

Now designated as a New York State Not-For-Profit Corporation, the Hancock Hounds organization is currently seeking 501c3 status by the end of 2021 to be classified as an S20 NTEE Community and neighborhood beautification charity.

When completed in 2022, the 1.5-acre dog park will be divided into separate sections for small and large dogs. The Park surface will be composed of natural grasses and bluestone and a variety of metal equipment will be installed. Two dog runs and the interior and exterior walkways will be edged with local lavender bluestone donated by the Zahler family of Hancock. The Park will also feature custom metal works by resident metal worker and artist Vallessa Monk. Help with the development of the park has also been received from the Delaware Valley Garden Club and Delaware County Landscape Architect Sean Leddy. The organization also operates a GoFundMe fund raising site.

Dog owners who utilize the park must always remain with their animals. All visitors to the park will enter at their own risk and must abide by the organization’s rules and requirements.

The Hancock Hounds Dog Park is a testament to Hancock’s growth in recent years and how we value new ideas and listen to our neighbors,” added Supervisor Vernold.

Link to article: https://hancockherald.com/hancock-hounds-break-ground/