The Bellevue Dog Woods, as depicted in this preliminary concept graphic, will enclose open and naturally wooded areas within six-foot fences, offering separate areas for small and large dogs, a water feature and an agility course. With approval obtained from Bellevue Council last week, a nonprofit organization is now reaching out to area dog lovers to volunteer to construct, operate and maintain the local dog park, which will be located in Bellevue’s Memorial Park in Ross Township, along Bellevue Road.

Before long, local dogs now restricted to short-leash walks down concrete sidewalks or brief jaunts into small backyards could find themselves running full-speed in a wide grassy area, or roaming through the woods.

All within minutes of home.

The picture is one envisioned by the Bellevue Dog Woods Association (BDWA), a nonprofit organization that has developed from a special advisory committee appointed by Bellevue Mayor George Doscher. The advisory committee developed a plan for an off-leash dog park that would be located in Bellevue Memorial Park, and that plan was approved last week by Bellevue Council.

The popularity of off-leash dog parks has grown across the United States in recent years, as studies show the benefits of dog ownership, and the benefits of dog parks on dog behavior. Dogs are social animals who seldom get to associate with other canines in a natural way, unrestricted by leashes that in many cases make dogs more aggressive towards other animals and more territorial.

In addition to exercise for dogs -- which can help curb destructive and aggressive behavior, as well as excessive barking -- the parks provide a multi-generational social opportunity for dog owners as well.

The plan quickly adopted by the advisory committee -- comprised of The Citizen publisher Connie Rankin, local contractor Tom Hrynda and Bellevue Council member Mark Panichella in addition to the mayor and his wife, Barb Doscher -- was to incorporate the dog park into the natural wooded hilltop rather than carve out an artificial area. That led to the "Dog Woods" designation.

The area currently is being used as a dump site for Bellevue's public works department, but long-range plans call for it to offer separate fenced-in areas for small (under 30 lbs.) and large dogs, wooded and open areas located safely within 6-feet fences, an agility course and a water feature.

"The idea," said Rankin, "is to enhance and preserve the natural setting, using natural materials for the agility course, water feature and other park accessories."

The Bellevue Dog Woods will be located in the area of Memorial Park known locally as "Firecracker Hill," which sits above the baseball field and adjacent to the cinder lot along Bellevue Road. The advisory committee viewed several sites throughout Bellevue and the North Boroughs before proposing this location. The report generated by the committee noted that the cinder lot would provide adequate parking, utilities are easily accessible in the area, and the location would make the Dog Woods easily reachable by residents of a number of local communities.

All of this will be done, for the most part, without tax dollars. The BDWA currently is raising funds for the new park, and seeking dog lovers from throughout the North Boroughs who can lend a hand. Volunteers are needed to do everything from raise funds to draft park rules to help construct features and erect fences. The BDWA will be responsible for operating and maintaining the park in the future.

"The Bellevue Dog Woods dog park will not only be a resource for recreation for both Bellevue, Ross and surrounding communities, it will also allow a nonprofit group to clean up a section of Memorial Park not being used and it will be done with no money from the taxpayer," noted Doscher.

The Dog Woods will be open to any dog, regardless of residency, who can follow the park rules, and the BDWA is stressing that anyone interested in providing a local recreational opportunity for dogs will be welcome to get involved in the effort.

A meeting for dog lovers interested in helping to create the Bellevue Dog Woods will be held Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. in the Bellevue borough hall, 537 Bayne Ave.