West Plains, MO. – A new dog park for West Plains citizens is now under construction at Gene Jones Park, which is located off Aid Avenue near the Water Tower.
In addition to the dog park, Gene Jones Park will also receive an expanded and improved parking area. Future plans also call for the construction of a new water tower at the site.
Owners bringing their dogs to the park must have a current dog tag license, which they can receive at West Plains City Hall, W.P. Police Department, or at Animal Control with proof of a current rabies vaccine.
City Crews have been busy preparing the grounds for the new addition, with construction of the fencing beginning in late March. As planned, there will be separate areas for large and small dogs, and the Parks Department is hoping to have the dog park open and operational by the end of April.
Previous plans called for a dog park to be located at Lofton Park, but the city’s concerns about potential flooding, coupled with the desire to place the park at a more central location near sidewalks, prompted the relocation to Gene Jones Park.
