From 2019 to 2021, Friends of Midtown, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, piloted a project that brought a dog park to Midtown (7th and Granite). In coordination with the City of Harrisburg, extensive research was done on several sites, and through partnership with Vartan Group, 1730 North 7th Street was chosen for a pilot project.

In keeping with the Friends of Midtown's mission of economic development, the project was designed to add value to Midtown by offering a dog park to current residents and encouraging further residential and commercial growth. Dog parks are now a staple in U.S. cities, and Harrisburg is no exception. During the 2015 update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the creation of a dog park was the 5th most popular idea within the Park, Open, and Civic Space category, out of over 1,000 total ideas submitted.

Though the pilot project has ended, Friends of Midtown is committed to continuously sharing our successes and advocating for the City of Harrisburg to take on the project and create a new dog park. At the end of the project’s run, the Friends of Midtown Dog Park Committee co-chairs created and distributed a survey to residents asking how they felt about a dog park. Out of 183 responses, 68% lived in the 17102-zip code, and 14% in the 17110-zip code. 163 people out of the 183 people currently own a dog, actively walk dogs, or have had a dog within the last couple of years: 73 large dogs, 56 medium, and 34 small dogs. That’s 163 dogs without a place to run and play off-leash.

The essentials that residents requested be part of the Dog Park are drinking water for dogs (45%), seating for people (30%), shade through trees or covered areas (25%), trash cans (24%), and strong and stable fencing (21%).

Harrisburg is a quickly growing city with so many amenities for residents. It boasts the Susquehanna River, Riverfront Park, walkability, and more. Adding a dog park within city limits would only increase the attractiveness of our city.

Friends of Midtown proved through this Dog Park pilot project that a Dog Park is a welcome addition to our city, we asked the city to pick up the project, but the plans didn’t pan out, so we are asking again. We ask for the city to pick up this Dog Park project; whether its city-funded, privately funded, or through grants. We also ask our community to support us in this advocacy for a Dog Park.