Valley Park in Hurricane will open a 400-square-foot dog park Sept. 1 while a new one of the same size at the County Park in Eleanor should be finished a few days later, said Scott Williamson, Putnam County Parks and Recreation Director.

The dog parks will be wide-open spaces -- perfect for pooches to stretch their legs, run like wild or roll in the grass.

"We're happy to open these two special parks for dogs and their companions," Williamson said. "There should be plenty of room for the dogs to exercise and socialize."

In Kanawha County, a new dog park also opened recently at the North Charleston Community Center. The spacious lot at 2009 7th Ave. has been opened for a couple of months.

Another Charleston dog park has been open for several years on the East End on Washington Street East.

John Charnock, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Charleston, said the new area in North Charleston was created by renovating two old tennis courts.

"We have 14,400 square feet of space for the dogs, it's all fenced in and there's water provided," he said. "It's perfect for the animals."

Charnock said the city took out the asphalt from the tennis courts, hauled in dirt and then hydro-seeded the land. Additional grass seeds were also spread.

The North Charleston Community Center has a special event planned to help canines cool off this summer, too.

The annual dog swim at the center's pool is set for 5 to 7:45 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Owners and their dogs are welcome to take the plunge. 

"It's free to anyone and their canine companion, but a donation of food or supplies for the Kanawha-Charleston Animal Shelter would be greatly appreciated," Charnock said.

Mary Childress, Daily Mail Staff