On Thursday, Nov. 9, Western New Mexico University will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cornali Field to celebrate the opening of a new fenced area designated for small dogs. The ceremony, co-hosted by the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce, will take place at 11 a.m. in the WNMU-owned community dog park on West St.
While Cornali Field has historically been undivided, local citizens recognized a need and raised money for a barrier separating little dogs from the large portion of the field where large breeds can frolic freely.
Silver City resident Julie Cason, who visits Cornali Field with her 12-pound dog, spearheaded the fundraising effort, aiming to collect $1,500 for the new fence. “I want to thank WNMU for letting us do this. The dog park is a huge success. I’ve been there almost every afternoon, and we’re getting new dogs every week,” she said.
Now that the new fence is erected, owners with dogs of all sizes feel comfortable visiting the park, said Cason who co-owns the Silver City RV Park. “This project brings Silver’s dog park to the same level of dog parks in other cities. Being in the hospitality business, I often get questions and feedback from visitors to our town. Folks didn’t feel comfortable taking their small dogs to the dog park without a dividing fence. Everybody’s just thrilled about the new fence,” she said.
Located one block from the main campus, between Virginia and West streets, Cornali Field is Silver City’s only fenced-in park used as a dog park. One third of the field is designated for small dogs now. The entrance to the newly fenced-in area for smaller dogs faces Virginia St. Cornali Field is open daily from sunrise to sunset and closed only periodically for maintenance by WNMU staff.