An official place for dogs to exercise and socialize may be trotting into town in the coming months. 

“I expect the dog park will be complete before the end of the year,” said McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department director Scott McCord. 

The city’s Parks and Recreation Committee considered bids for the park last week and its recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will be to approve the one from Langford Fence Company in the amount of $15,850. Langford submitted the lowest of three bids. 

The bid provides delivery and installation of a 6-foot tall, green vinyl fence to enclose an area 90 feet by 120 feet. 

The dog park will be located across the street from Pepper Branch Park with an entrance from Old Morrison Road. 

“The entrance will be 10 feet by 10 feet and will include a double gate,” said McCord. “Visitors will have to go through two gates to get in and out. As people go in and out, a dog might try to dart out. A double gate will help prevent someone’s pet from getting out of the park. It will make it more difficult.”

A pet-friendly water fountain has already been ordered, with a second one to be ordered. 

“The park will be split in two, an area for small dogs and an area for large dogs,” said McCord. “There will be a large tree between the two to offer some shade.”

Helping fund installation is a $25,000 dog park grant from the Boyd Foundation. The foundation seeks to make Tennessee pet friendly. It awarded 36 communities $25,000 each earlier this year.