A formerly polluted rail yard site has gone to the dogs.
Inver Grove Heights will open up its only off-leash dog park — a 10-acre pooch playground, with one acre set aside for small breed dogs — during a public event from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Supporters of the site say it is long overdue and goes a long way toward building up Heritage Village Park, a railroad site along the Mississippi River that is pegged for passive recreation but has been slow to be developed.
The city acquired the park’s land from the Rock Island Railroad after the property went into tax forfeiture about 20 years ago. In 2008, the process of top-filling the polluted land with clean soil began.
The idea of a dog park has been discussed for years, yet never gained enough traction. About two years ago dog park supporters organized and formed a group called “Friends of IGH Dog Park.”
The group has been instrumental in making it a reality, said Eric Carlson, parks and recreation director.
“I don’t think it would have happened without them,” he said. “For projects like this, it takes interest from the community to convince the city council that this is something the community really wants. Projects like this have to come from the community, not staff.”
The dog park cost just under $900,000, a total that includes a parking lot, lighting, fencing, benches, drinking fountains and stormwater treatment, Carlson said. The city paid two-thirds of the cost, with a state grant picking up the rest.
One unique feature Carlson expects to be popular with people looking to snap pictures with their pooch is a big limestone sculpture of a bone at the park entrance that was donated by Charlotte Svobodny, a member of “Friends of IGH Dog Park.”
Svobodny said the bone — just over 7 feet long and weighing 4,000 pounds — is made from the stone from part of the Rock Island Swing Bridge that was torn down many years ago. A remaining part of the bridge, which is just steps from the dog park, now serves as a public pier, stretching more than 650 feet into the river.
Annual passes are mandatory to enter the dog park, which is at 4321 65th St., just east of Concord Boulevard. Passes cost $20 for residents, $30 for non-residents, and will go toward general park maintenance.
Tuesday’s grand-opening event includes a demonstration by K9 officer Kato, free hot dogs by Hometown Meats, a rabies vaccination clinic and dog-friendly vendors. If there is rainy weather, the event will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Passes will also be sold Tuesday. They can also be bought through the city’s website or at the community center. Daily passes are not available. For more details, go to invergroveheights.org/dogpark.