Dog owners are closer than ever to having their own space for their pets in the city. Tibbetts Valley Park has been chosen as the location of the city of Issaquah’s first official dog park.

In the works since 2015, the effort to develop a dedicated dog park has been formed through several public meetings taking feedback, staff research and planning.

Park planner Jennifer Kirk said the Parks Board recommended Tibbetts Valley Park as the final site for a two-acre dog park on Jan. 28. The decision was made after the most recent public meeting and workshop where feedback was collected to determine the location between the final eight locations.

Citizens provided comments on their preferred locations and gave input as to the types of amenities needed at a dog park. Some of the elements cited by residents include a double gated access area, an area specifically for smaller or shy dogs, waste stations, drinking fountains, a washing station, lighting during the evening and night, and information on pet licensing.

The city also held public gatherings at some of the proposed park locations on Jan. 16 and 25. People could bring their dogs to see the parks and ask questions of the staff.

Kirk said the response to Tibbetts Valley Park has been positive. People have been excited about the site, because it is near the center of the city, making it easily accessible.

It will be the city’s first dedicated dog park, answering a community need they have heard for years, she said.

With a location selected, the city is now working through an administrative site development permit process through the Development Services Department. As they work through the permitting, Kirk said, progress is continuing on design work.

Once permitting and design is done, work can begin on preparing the segment of the park for use. Kirk said the biggest jobs on the property are to clear invasive plant species, removal of hazardous trees, and some minor grading work.

The city is also working on bringing together residents to form a “Friends” group to work with the city on stewardship needs in the future of the park. More information on the park itself, including documents from phase one and phase two of the project, can be found online at www.issaquahwa.gov/dogpark.