HANOVER AREA YMCA ANNOUNCES CONTRUCTION OF YMCA DOG PARK

(Hanover, PA) The Hanover Area YMCA announced today construction of the YMCA Dog Park, on the grounds of its George Street location. The Dog Park will be located in the field directly adjacent to the parking lot along George Street and will be available to all Hanover Area Y members and residents of Hanover for an annual membership fee. Construction is slated to begin late spring with the grand opening tentatively scheduled for mid-late summer.

 

“Since 1967, the Hanover Area YMCA has provided the Hanover community with a safe and welcoming space where everyone in the community can become their best self,” said Hanover Area YMCA Chief Executive Officer Cami Bisch. “We continually look for new and exciting ways to grow our work through innovative improvements and developments to our facilities. The Dog Park will be more than just a place for our dogs-it’s a space where community bonds grow stronger, where neighbors connect through shared smiles and wagging tails, and where the deep, loyal companionship of a dog reminds us of the simple joys of friendship, belonging, and unconditional love.”

 

The Hanover Area YMCA Dog Park was thoughtfully designed by Paige and Stefanie Wingert in collaboration with the YMCA and Conewago Enterprises. Spanning 15,000 square feet, the park will feature a secure, gated entry; lighting and security cameras; hydration and waste stations; a 1,400-square-foot pavilion offering shade and rain protection; and separate play areas for small and large dogs. To prevent the muddy conditions common in many dog parks, both play areas will be surfaced with dog-friendly artificial turf and bordered by a concrete walkway.

 

Dog Park membership will be available to current Hanover Area YMCA members and Hanover residents for a modest, annual membership fee to help offset park operations and maintenance. To ensure the safety of park visitors, all Dog Park members will be required to submit vaccination records for each dog to use the park.

 

The Hanover Area YMCA is currently seeking additional donors to support the construction and long-term maintenance of the new dog park. A generous lead gift of $300,000 from Paige and Stefanie Wingert provided the foundational funding to launch the project. A second major gift of $100,000 was made by Dr. Mosier, owner of Hanover Veterinary Hospital to fund the construction of the Dog Park Pavilion.

 

“As lifelong Hanover residents and dog lovers, we wanted to give back to our community in a meaningful way,” said Paige and Stefanie Wingert. “With its ideal location and shared vision, the Hanover Y was the perfect partner. We’re proud to help create a state-of-the-art dog park for Hanover and to support efforts to keep membership costs accessible for all.”

 

“As the oldest small animal veterinary hospital in Hanover, it felt only right to be part of the town’s first official dog park,” said Dr. Mosier. “We’re proud to support a safe, local space where dogs and their owners can play, socialize, and connect.

 

The Y is seeking additional donors to join at a variety of levels, including:

 

•     Large Paws Run: $75,000

•     Small Paws Run: $50,000

•     Best Friend: $25,000 (2 opportunities)

•     Puppy Partner: $10,000 (6 opportunities)

•     Fetch Friends: $5,000 (4 opportunities)

 

All donors will be honored on signage in various locations around the park, recognized in park promotions and invited to exclusive events.

 

There are also tribute opportunities for members of the community to honor their pets, including memorial gardens, tribute trees and shrubs and personalized bricks.

 

Individuals and companies interested in supporting the park can contact Cami Bisch and/or Heidi Wrights at 717-632-8211.

 

For more information, park renderings and construction updates, visit Hanover Area Y’s website at hanoverymca.org