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BAZETTA -- For dogs that love to get into the water, a diving dock has been added to the dog park at Mosquito Lake State Park for dogs to take the plunge.
The 20-foot-long diving dock was recently added to a section of the dog park, which extends into a section of water and has a beach area.
Josie McKenna, park manager, said Ugo Scarnecchia with the Friends of the Mosquito Lake Dog Park and other members, suggested to park officials about adding a dock for the dogs to jump off into the water.
She said the 5-acre dog park, which has been at the park nearly 10 years, has had additions over the years, including an agility course in 2022 with eight pieces of equipment. One side of the dog park is for smaller dogs weighing 25 pounds or less and the other side for larger dogs over 25 pounds with both sides having access to the dock.
"We were able to repurpose and relocate a dock from the docks at the old marina. There was no costs associated with this project," McKenna said.
She said an additional fishing dock was added to the new marina to allow people to have another opportunity to get to the deeper part of the water. That dock also was repurposed from the former marina area.
McKenna said a portion of the dock was donated by the Trumbull County MetroParks many years ago.
Scarnecchia said many dogs love the water and will dive right in to retrieve a ball or stick thrown into the water.
"I've seen some dogs run to the end of the dock and jump right in. They love to jump into water. It is fun to watch them," he said.
DOG OWNERS
Kelly Herron of Newton Falls brought Smudge, a Jack Russell / corgi / chihuahua mix to the dock.
"It is really nice. He really likes it. We have a family boat, and he likes to jump off that. He is not afraid of the water. When I first saw the dock had been put in, I let him play on it," Herron said.
Michelle Longstreet of Bristol said her family has a boat and Smudge loves to be on it. She said some dog breeds love being in the water, while others do not.
"He is full of energy and will do everything," Longstreet said of Smudge.
Tammi Neuscheler of Cortland said she has brought her dog, Nosey, a brown Labrador, to the dog park since she got him.
"He has been coming here for three years. He loves getting into the water. He was a little scared at first and then got in. He got brave and now will take a flying leap. I took a lot of photos of him jumping in," Neuscheler said.
Carissa Rippole and Carly Rippole of Pittsburgh brought their dogs to the park for Labor Day weekend.
Carissa said her dog has not jumped off the dock but does like being at the campgrounds.
"We have been to the park before so it is nice there is something else like a dock for the dogs to be able to use," she said.
Carly said her dog, a chocolate Labrador, Hank, does like getting into the water and has jumped off the dock more than 30 times.
"This breed of dog loves the water,'' she said.
Carissa said for her and Carly it "is mom and dog time" for the weekend.
"We are dog moms, so we enjoy spending time with them here," Carissa said.