A New Leash on Life: Schuylkill River Dog Park Completes Six-Figure Transformation

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When: Saturday, May 17 at 10am
Where: Schuylkill River Park picnic tables
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A New Leash on Life: Schuylkill River Dog Park Completes Six-Figure Transformation

By David Aragon

Dogs enjoy playtime on the newly installed artificial turf at Schuylkill River Dog Park following the completion of the $175,000 renovation project. The upgraded surface replaces 15-year-old deteriorating turf that had become a safety concern for both pets and their owners.

After years of deteriorating conditions, the Schuylkill River Dog Park is sporting a lush new coat of green following a major $175,000 renovation.

Dogs and their owners celebrated the grand reopening at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a community-driven project that transformed the park into a pristine canine playground.

How Dog Lovers Rescued a Crumbling Park

The 15-year-old turf had deteriorated so badly that large sections were peeling away from the ground, creating a safety hazard for both dogs and their humans. "The dogs were having a field day because they thought it was a giant chew toy," recalled Taryn Bartolotta, a South Philadelphia resident who helped lead the renovation effort.

“If it wasn't replaced, we would have had to shut the dog park down because it was going to be a safety issue,” she explained.

Aerial views capture the Schuylkill River Dog Park's $175,000 renovation during construction. The extensive work included complete removal of the original substrate after contractors discovered widespread mold issues beneath the 15-year-old artificial turf.

Bartolotta and her business partner Robert Fletcher-Kolk, who operate a dog daycare business, became the driving force behind the park's transformation. The pair met eight years ago while visiting the park with clients and bonded over their shared concern about the deteriorating conditions.

"We just noticed that there were a lot of things that could be improved about the dog park, the turf being the most glaring example," Bartolotta explained. They approached Sandy Abdelmalek, who was serving as the dog park subcommittee president, and began reaching out to community members to gauge interest in improving the space.

The group created a detailed survey to identify priorities beyond the obvious turf replacement. Water facilities that were "always getting broken" and a retaining wall that dogs frequently jumped over into an unmaintained area emerged as key concerns. Cameron Dennis joined the effort about eight months after the initial group formed, with Mark Adler coming aboard more recently.

Renovation Reveals Hidden Problems

What began as a turf replacement project quickly revealed more significant issues lurking beneath the surface. When contractors removed the old artificial grass, they discovered that "the substrate underneath all of the turf was just riddled with mold," according to Bartolotta.

The contractor, GOAT Turf, had to completely revise their plans and install a different substrate to improve drainage. The park's position relative to the nearby railroad tracks created significant water flow problems, as rain would pour off the tracks directly into the park.

"If you've been there on a rainy day, you see it down at the bottom of the end of the park near the basketball courts. It's just a swamp down there," Bartolotta described.

Construction vehicles faced challenges even reaching the site, with overhanging trees blocking access along the narrow walkways. Contractors had to call in help to trim branches before heavy equipment could reach the dog park.

While the board initially hoped the substrate beneath the turf might be salvageable to reduce costs, the extent of the damage required completely removing and replacing both layers – significantly increasing the project's complexity and expense.

Critical Political Support

The $175,000 price tag far exceeded what could be raised through membership dues and local fundraisers.

Local officials and dog park board members celebrate the $160,000 state grant that made the Schuylkill River Dog Park renovation possible during the May 27 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project team included Senator Nikil Saval, Representative Ben Waxman, and dog park board members Taryn Bartolotta, Cameron Dennis, Robert Fletcher-Kolk, and Mark Adler.

The project became viable only after Senator Nikil Saval helped secure a crucial state grant that covered most of the costs. The Friends of Schuylkill River Park (FSRP) organization, which oversees the larger park complex including the basketball courts and recreation center, provided additional funding to complete the project.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, both Senator Saval and Representative Ben Waxman emphasized the importance of accessible green spaces in urban environments. City Council presdient Kenyatta Johnson, a dog owner himself, arrived later and immediately took action regarding the persistent flooding issues, making calls from the park to city officials to address the drainage problems.

"Both of them are very like-minded as far as supporting these efforts across their districts," Bartolotta noted. "Public spaces like the Schuylkill River Park are just so vitally important," she added, reflecting on how many city residents lack access to private outdoor spaces.

Planning for the Future

With the major renovation complete, the dog park board is already planning future improvements. Bartolotta dreams of installing an interactive splash pad to replace the traditional pools that waste water when emptied and refilled multiple times daily. "I feel like every time somebody comes in, they dump the pool because they want fresh water for their dog. So we're just wasting, I don't even know how many gallons of water every single day," she explained.

Other potential projects include improved lighting for evening visits, security cameras, and continued enhancements to make the park more enjoyable for both dogs and their owners. The board will soon release another community survey to identify the next priorities.

The dog park operates as a subcommittee of the larger FSRP, with membership options available for community members who want to support ongoing improvements. For now, both two-legged and four-legged visitors are enjoying the fresh turf and upgraded facilities – a testament to what dedicated community members can accomplish with persistence, collaboration, and political support.