It’s a tail wagging event for dog lovers and their four legged sidekicks.
The Manteca Parks & Recreation Department is staging a “Barks & Rec” day this Saturday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Manteca Dog Park. It’s located on the northwest corner of the Civic Center complex at 1070 Eucalyptus Street next to the Parks & Rec offices.
The day includes music, contests, and food, games, and pet-orientated vendors, free giveaways while they last and dog adoptions.
Recreation Supervisor Toni Lundgren noted the dog park has been a hit with owners and their dogs.
She noted it’s almost as much about people socializing as it is about dogs socializing.
“(They) dog owners will make play dates on Facebook for the dog park,” Lundgren said.
The dog park fits into the general mission of parks and recreation departments to provide interaction between people on a social level as well as providing recreational activities much like a senior center, various classes running the gamut from dancing to guitar playing, and sports programs.
Lundgren noted the socialization aspect with “fellow humans” brings out owners who have yards where their dogs can play as well as those living in places such as apartments and mobile homes where dogs can’t get exercise running off leash. It is also designed to curb people from taking their dogs off leash in other city parks where it is illegal to do so in order for dogs to get exercise.
The dog park has been up and running since mid-January. Dog owners police the area cleaning up any nesses that may happen.
The small dog area is for dogs 25 pounds or less while the large dog area is for dogs over 25 pounds.
The $227,993 project included installing sidewalks along Eucalyptus Street. The dog park features a double entry system to prevent dogs from getting loose.
There is a drinking fountain for humans and a bowl drinking fountain for dogs as well as two trash receptacles, five dog waste stations, dog park rules sign, play equipment and bulletin board.
For questions contact the Parks & Rec office at 456-8600.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com