City holds grand opening “unleashing” of Conoco Dog Park

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - Leashes came off, and tails wagged away as the Conoco Dog Park officially opened to the public.

Dozens of dogs and their owners gathered for the celebration, which included a Lucky Leprechaun Dog Parade and a contest for some of the day’s standout pups.

After the parade, the spotlight shifted to the best dressed contest, a judges panel made up of city officials got to vote on the favorite of different dog sizes. Winner of the small dog category was a green tutu wearing, Mirabel. Her owner, Goldie Kocher, said she enjoyed the new space and the different enclosures for the dogs big and small.

“I do have a backyard for her and her siblings to play in, but this is a real good idea.” Kocher said. “Small dogs, big dogs, that way nobody gets hurt.”

Kalee Robinson, the director of Wichita Falls Parks and Recreation, said the addition of the new park expands access for dog owners across the city.

“And that we make sure that each side of our city is really getting that full equal treatment across the board, right? And so it’s really important to us that we have a great dog park over at Lake Wichita, but that’s all the way on the other side of town.” Robinson said. “And so we wanted to make sure we brought some of that same amenity to our east side, as well as just over into our Shepherd Air Force Base folks.”

Robinson added that once they receive more funding, they plan to add a parking lot before adding other amenities, such as some shaded picnic tables.