Newport Minnesota is having a grand opening soon for its dog park—and you’re invited!
The official festivities for Newport’s Dog Park will take place Thursday, April 17th from 3 to 5 p.m. at 298 Fifth Avenue, in Newport.
Ribbon cutting for the dog park will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Fifth and Third, a small parking lot at the park entrance hosting the festivities.
Included in the April 17 celebration at Newport will be “Frosty Paw” treats for dogs as well as ice cream treats for kids and adults. Bring your furry best friends and join in the celebration!
Located between Fifth and Seventh Avenue south of Third Street, the Newport Dog Park has been years in the making. A joint endeavor with Marathon Petroleum, the new dog park originated as a number two priority in a 2021 city of Newport survey. A possible location was then identified in the summer of 2022, first making its way through the Newport Park Board. Throughout the process the city worked with Marathon as park plans slowly went from general to specific. Land for the new dog park is leased from Marathon for a cost of $1 per year.
As plans progressed further a recommendation was made by the Park Board to City Council in March 2024 to move forward with ag fencing rather than chain link at the site, with fencing cost priced at approximately $15,000.
“We really like it, it kind of blends in,” Newport City Administrator Joe Hatch said of going with ag fencing rather than chain link.
Open since November and leash free, it’s time to celebrate the Newport Dog Park!