By: Perla Gomez
Dog owner Ryleigh Meeks takes her dog Troop to the new Statesboro Dog Park for the first time. The Statesboro Dog Park has been open to the public since 2018 and was built between East Grady St. and East Cherry St.
Troop (middle) makes new friends with Bella (left) and Beis (right) during his first visit to the Statesboro Dog Park. Citizens of Statesboro and Bulloch County take their dogs to the park to socialize and release energy with other dogs.
Beis approaches to take a break from playing with Troop and Bella. Beis is a regular visitor to the dog park.
Connor Jordan sits while supervising Beis at the Statesboro Dog Park. The park provides patrons with seating, shelter, and water fountains while they wait on their pups to play.
Brie meets with Creed and Bella through the fence from the small dog side. The Statesboro Dog Park has two play areas, one for small dogs and one for larger dogs.
As Creed and Bella leave to get water, Brie marks his territory in front of the big dogs while Beis watches. By marking his territory, Beis lets the other dogs know he is present and that the territory belongs to him.
Brie smiles after showing the big dogs how he feels about the fence. Brie often comes to the dog park with his sibling, Mocha.
The Smith family swings as they watch their dog, Chico as he gathers with Mocha. "We like to come to walk on the trail and bring our dogs by to have some fun in the evening when it starts to get cooler," said mother Tamia Smith, "The temperature is too hot during the day."
Mocha poses for a portrait after playing with Chico. Mocha wears matching vests with his sibling, Brie to the dog park.
Parents gather under the pavilion while their canine children roam. The dog park also allows dog owners to socialize and share their common canine interests with one another.
Creed runs away from the sunset. "His name is Creed, I named him after the video game "Assasin's Creed," said Creed's human companion, Dre Simmons.
Beis (middle) leaves Creed (right) while he plays with a new friend. Beis is worn out from today's activities.
A couple swings in front of the railroad track as they watch their two dogs. The Dover Line runs from Dover, Georgia to Metter, Georgia, and is a part of the Georgia Southern Railway Company owned by Pioneer Lines.
Beis meets a new friend while they leave. As the sun sets, dogs decide to head home with their humans.
The sun sets over the park taking all of its natural lighting with it. The dog park closes at 10 p.m. daily but traffic becomes slow once it gets dark.
As his new friends leave, Troop decides to check out the tunnel. The tunnel is made of cement and is big enough for large dogs to go run through it.
Creed runs around the park one last time with Troop before heading home. Creed is carried home shortly after by Dre for not wanting to leave.
Troop watches his new friends leave. Troop is now left all alone at the park with no dog to play with.
Troop follows Ryleigh to head home. Troop is the last dog to leave the park.
Troop takes one last sip of water at the water fountain before leaving the park. "We both have never been to this dog park," said Ryleigh Meeks, "I rarely take him to dog parks but I might have to start so he can learn to interact and play with other dogs."
