Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc., has received a $15,000 grant from Nestle Purina for its dog park.
The money has been used to purchase equipment for the park, Director Jerrica Fox said. It includes benches, water fountains, waste stations and six pieces of agility equipment, she said.
The new equipment will be installed before a spring grand opening.
The park, which is located between the Black River and Second Street, will open after gates are installed, said Fox. An expected November opening was delayed while the park waits for these gates, which have been donated.
The most recent donation was presented to Fox by Chris Peters and Ray Mason of Purina.
The park offers two separate areas for canines, which can play off leash.
Just under a half acre is reserved for small dogs. About one acre offers space for medium and large dogs.
City officials donated property for the park, but have not contributed any funding.
Donations have also come from Hillcrest Animal Hospital, as well as Mid-Continent Nail Corporation; Wash Park- Dog Wash; Ozark Federal Credit Union; Walmart Supercenter; Walmart Neighborhood Market; Whitworth's Gift Chest Jewelers; Minit Print; Edith Renfrow; James Hillin; Lynne Chapman and Michael Roark.
The park is part of an effort called, "Turnaround Downtown."
It was created to provide another positive focal point for the historic section of the city. It joined a skate park at Cedar Street and South Broadway, and a pocket park at South Moran and Poplar Streets.