City unleashes new Dewey dog park in Midtown

OMAHA, Neb. (FOX42KPTM) — The last time a dog park was built around Omaha was about 5 years ago in Hanscom Park.

Monday afternoon, the new Dewey dog park facility opened its gates for the first time.

City officials say it aims to keep dogs safe by keeping large and small dogs separated in two separate pens.

For Tanesha Gorsek and her dog Diego, coming to the dog park is all about getting outside at any time they can.

Gorsek says her biggest concern is making sure her dog stays safe during freezing temperatures.

"They get cold just like people do," says Gorsek. "Especially when it gets snowy, he doesn't want to walk outside so we have booties for him too."

This new dog facility at Dewey Park is working to change that with new turf on the ground, a double locking system to get in and out of the park and other features.

The city parks department says the $400,000 park was expected to break ground back in July of 2018.

Brook Bench with the Omaha Parks & Recreation department says it took longer than expected for underground construction to drain out the liquid.

"It's all about being able to come to a dog park and not leaving full of mud," says Bench. "Just having all the things where you can come in and have a place with shade, benches is nice."

The city says it plans to keep the park open 365 days a year for pets and their animals.

Bench says in summer the park will also include water areas for dogs to play in and stay cool.