While dog owners at Meaford Haven can enjoy strolls along the retirement community’s wilderness trails, they now have an opportunity to unclip the leash and let their “best friend” roam free. Meaford’s leash-free dog park will allow pet owners to let their dogs roam and mingle with other dogs in a fenced, grassy area with handy water taps. The new park is located near Memorial Park, next to the municipal waste water treatment plant on Aiken Street.

Large dogs and small dogs get their own separate areas, and owners have convenient parking, baggies and trash cans.

The Beautiful Joe Heritage Society, a group devoted to preserving and promoting Beautiful Joe and its author, Margaret Marshall Saunders, and making Meaford a tourism and heritage destination, is raising half of the cost of the park.

Next Friday, the “In the Ruff” golf tournament offers one opportunity to pitch in with fundraising.