By William Smith
A small indoor dog park and pup emporium opened with little fanfare or promotion last week but is already attracting a lot of attention.
Burlington resident Jennifer Arnold has been working on the opening for The P-A-R-K for dogs at 2807 Summer St. for the past year. The newly opened business features over 1,000 square feet of specialty-themed play areas designed for both small and large dogs.
A small store inside the building, dubbed the Pup Emporium, sells dog-related items sourced through small businesses.
It will be climate-controlled luxury for dogs and their owners all year round.
“It’s not a doggie daycare or boarding,” Arnold said. “You stay with your pet, and it’s a one-hour visit.”
A one-hour visit costs $10, and walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are preferred; customers can buy a six-visit package for $50.
“So you’re basically getting one visit for free,” Arnold said.
Arnold came up with the idea after adopting a dog from the Des Moines County Humane Society animal shelter. She’s seen similar operations in bigger cities and is fully aware of how strong the pup-loving community is in Burlington.
“It’s a new concept for the area. It’s a themed space, so everything is decorated,” Arnold said.
It’s not just a big, open space, as some of her first customers originally envisioned. It’s a play space designed to entice a pooch’s playful side. The building used to consist of real estate offices, which made it easy to renovate and innovate.
“They can even go through the walls in some spots,” Arnold said.
Apart from running the dog park, Arnold works part-time and eased into the public space with a soft opening. Now that the word is getting out, she’s excited to see even more customers. She’s planning a future partnership with the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Arnold said those curious about seeing the dog park just have to stop out. There’s no charge for looking. The park is open Thursday through Sunday and will only allow six dogs at a time.
“We wanted to keep the number small to cut down on the chances of any fights (between the dogs) breaking out,” Arnold said.
Arnold said she has no interest in boarding dogs. But she enjoys meeting fellow dog owners and wants to provide another alternative for active canines.
“I love dogs. And people with dogs, they don’t just take them to one place. They take them to all the places. The outdoor park, the indoor park,” Arnold said.