Fort Smith will soon have an off-leash dog park. 

Anna Gervais, owner of Northern Hound Supplies, is spearheading the project. She has about an acre of land on the lot next to her store and has set up fencing and grass for dogs to play in a safe environment.

Gervais launched her store in the fall of 2019. The business sells pet food, toys and other supplies, and offers grooming services. Gervais is well attuned to the dogs of Fort Smith, and said there is "a huge need for the park.SA国际影视传媒� 

SA国际影视传媒淧eople are driving 20 minutes out of town just so their dog doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 find anything to chase,SA国际影视传媒� she said on why she decided to launch the park.

The dog park, set to open on Oct. 11, is free to use, though a $2 donation to the animal shelter is encouraged. 

As an arm of NHS, the park is ultimately a private facility. Insurance regulations therefore mandate proof of vaccination prior to park use, and that owners call ahead to reserve a 15 to 30 minute time slot on the day of their choice. No other dogs will be allowed in the park during a booked time slot, unless participants choose to invite other dogs to their reserved park time.

Within the parkSA国际影视传媒檚 fencing there will be picnic tables, poop scoops and running water. 

SA国际影视传媒淭his is an amazing outdoor space for recall training, throwing a ball, or just to walk around with your dog off leash and not to have to worry about running into other dogs, people, or vehicles,SA国际影视传媒� Gervais said in an NHS Facebook post announcing the parkSA国际影视传媒檚 opening. SA国际影视传媒淲e hope people use this space responsibly and joyfully, hopefully getting more of the Fort Smith doggos out to play.SA国际影视传媒�

Alexa Crawford says her and her Dutch shepherd Hazel look forward to making use of the park. 

SA国际影视传媒淧eople have been asking for this for a long time and no one really took it on,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

On why it has taken so long for a dog park to come to Fort Smith, Crawford suspects residents assume there wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be a need since they already SA国际影视传媒渓ive in the bush.SA国际影视传媒� She said, however, that the trails are populated with ATVs and lots of other dogs. That may create challenges for dogs with trauma or who have trouble around other canines, she said.

Crawford calls NHSSA国际影视传媒檚 new dog park SA国际影视传媒渇abulous.SA国际影视传媒� 

SA国际影视传媒淎nna finds a hole in our community and she just fills them,SA国际影视传媒� said Crawford of Gervais. 

SA国际影视传媒淪he's doing everything she can to streamline it and make it accessible and this isnSA国际影视传媒檛 even a paid service,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e all just taking pride in her entrepreneurial journey.SA国际影视传媒� 

Once open, the park will operate seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Of the pets that have tested the space, SA国际影视传媒渢he dogs hit the grass and immediately get the zoomies,SA国际影视传媒� Gervais said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 really cute and hilarious.SA国际影视传媒�