Hopatcong Celebrates Dog Park Opening

HOPATCONG, NJ - Canine community members will be able to bring their human counterparts out for a fun time in Hopatcong since the Jefferson Field Dog Park opened this past Saturday morning.

Hopatcong Borough Mayor Michael Francis and Hopatcong Councilman Bradley Hoferkamp helped to cut the ribbon, along with Aidan Poland of Hopatcong Boy Scout Troop 88, who worked on some portions of the dog park for his Eagle Scout project.

The park is located in a section of Jefferson Field, on 59 Coolidge Trail, with separate fenced-in areas for large and small dogs.

As part of his end of the project, Poland fundraised in excess of his $3,000 goal, to build obstacle courses and benches for both sections of the park. He also organized volunteers to help him with the project.

Members of Hopatcong Borough’s Police Department joined in on Saturday’s ribbon cutting, offering special congratulations to Poland for his accomplishment on its Facebook Page.

“This project wouldn't have been completed without your hard work and dedication,” the police department wrote about Poland. “The true definition of a scout.”

At the Hopatcong Borough Council meeting on July 21, members voted unanimously to earmark $15,000 from the borough’s Open Space Recreation Trust, for the park.

Among the rules for use of the dog park are:

• The dog park is open from sunrise to sunset
• The park is used at the dog owner’s risk and the borough isn’t responsible for any injuries that happen
• No person can come to the park with more than two dogs
• Dogs need to be supervised by a person who is 18 years or older
• Kids under the age of nine-years-old can’t be in the park and kids older than that can’t run in the park or chase dogs
• Small dogs under 22 pounds can only stay in the area for small dogs
• Large dogs cannot enter the small dog area at all
• Dogs in heat can’t come to the park
• Puppies four months and younger can’t come to the park
• Dogs need to have all their vaccines and wear licenses
• Dogs more than six months old need to be spayed or neutered to use the park
• No food of any kind is permitted in the park, nor are treats, chew toys, bones or rawhide treats
• Dogs need to be leashed outside of the park
• Dogs can’t be outfitted with choke, spiked or prong collars in the park
• No smoking, glass bottles or alcohol is allowed within the park
• Aggressive dogs can’t come to the park
• Dog owners are responsible if their dog causes an injury to a person or other dog
• Hopatcong’s Animal Control Officer may restrict any person or their dog from entering the park
• Violators can face a fine of up to $1,250, jail time of up to 90 days, community service of up to 90 days or a combination of all.

See all Hopatcong Borough dog park rules here.

The dog park has its own dedicated Facebook Page, the “Friends of The Jefferson Field Dog Park,” which is accessible here.

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