Hagood Park a Possibility for Dog Park

Recent efforts to revitalize Hagood Park in Easley could make it the home for the city's first dog park.

The city recently completed the first phase in revitalizing the park by installing a new playground structure and repairing the tennis courts. Other projects will include building a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits, repairing the basketball court, and possibly adding a dog park.

The city is considering both the J.B. "Red" Owens Sports Complex and Hagood Park to be the home for the new dog park. Each of the parks has its own potential drawbacks.

"One of the challenges with it here [Hagood Park] is there is no shade," City Administrator Jonathan "Fox" Simons said.

Meanwhile, the Owens complex has ample space and shade for the dogs.

"There's also a concern about putting the dogs so close to the tournaments," Simons said.

City Councilwoman Kim Valentin suggested planting fast-growing trees to provide shade at Hagood Park.

"I think this is a better idea having here [Hagood Park] rather than over there just because of everything that is going on at the Owens complex," Valentin said.

"I'd like to see this move forward because I think Hagood Park has long been neglected," City Councilman Chris Mann said.

No final decisions have been made on any future projects at Hagood Park as the Parks and Recreation Committee is an advisory board for City Council.