Heavy rain stalls construction of Castlen Dog Park

June 20, 2019 | 3:35 am

Updated June 20, 2019 | 1:59 am

While caution tape and wooden marking posts currently outline the area where the dog park will be constructed on the park’s premises, fencing has yet to be constructed due to recent episodes of rain. | Photo by Owensboro Times

Initial plans to open the Castlen Dog Park in mid-June have been temporarily delayed due, in large part, to weather-related circumstances. Heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms have occurred throughout the months of May and June, causing the grounds at Legion Park to become saturated.

While caution tape and wooden marking posts currently outline the area where the dog park will be constructed on the park’s premises, the area is still without a fence, concrete has yet to be poured and benches have yet to be placed.

Recreation Superintendent Kerry Bodenheimer said a ribbon-cutting was scheduled for Castlen Dog Park in mid-June, but that the event was pushed back due to rain.

“At some point, I think we were looking at trying to have a ribbon-cutting on June 18, but I know Mother Nature has put us behind that schedule,” Bodenheimer said.

Owensboro has received over 3 inches of rain since June 1 and is expected to receive even more in the coming week.

While it appears holes have been dug around the dog park for the fence’s installation, several of those holes have since been covered by mud and rain.

Photo by Owensboro Times

“It is wet in that park,” said Castlen Dog Park volunteer Pattie Martin. “I realize the grounds need to be dry so we don’t risk tearing up the rest of the park, which we don’t want to do. The equipment for the concrete would tear things up a bit.”

Martin said she hasn’t been told whether the Parks Department has selected a new date for the park’s ribbon cutting, but said she and Parks Director Amanda Rogers are both ready to move forward with construction.

“Amanda and I met over a month ago with some certainty that we could look at this week to do a ribbon-cutting, so I know we are all anxious for the dog park to be complete,” Martin said. “Heavy equipment can do extensive damage to other parts of the park if it’s too wet, so being cautious is appreciated.”

Owensboro Times reached out to Rogers for comment but was unable to make contact.

June 20, 2019 | 3:35 am

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