Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Town of Parma open new dog park to expand recreational spaces for pet owners

Monroe County, New York – A new chapter in pet-friendly recreation officially opened this week in the Town of Parma, as Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, alongside local and state officials, announced the grand opening of a new dog park located at Parma Town Park on Hilton Parma Corners Road. The new facility, which includes designated spaces for both small and large dogs, is the latest addition to the Monroe County Dog Park System — a growing network of off-leash parks designed to offer safe, fun spaces for dogs and their owners.

County Executive Bello praised the project as a model of intergovernmental cooperation and community-centered planning.

“The inclusion of the Town of Parma Dog Park in the Monroe County Dog Park System will allow for more efficient access and open this amenity up to more people,” said Bello. “I’d like to thank Supervisor Roose for his partnership and providing more opportunities for Monroe County residents to experience recreation.”

The park, named The Bark Yard, represents a shared investment between Monroe County, the Town of Parma, and New York State. The project was first envisioned in 2020, following a public survey conducted by Parma’s Parks and Recreation Department. Local leaders say that residents consistently voiced strong support for a dog-friendly space within their community, and the idea began to gain traction soon after.

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Funding for the project was jump-started in 2022 when New York State Assembly Member Josh Jensen secured a $50,000 state grant to support construction costs.

“The opening of The Bark Yard is a wonderful example of how local investment in public spaces can really strengthen our communities,” said Assembly Member Jensen. “This new dog park at Parma Town Park offers families — both two- and four-legged — a safe, welcoming place to gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors together. I’m so proud to have secured state funding to support projects like this one that enhance our quality of life in our towns, and I commend the Town of Parma for its vision and commitment to making this long-awaited space a reality.”

The collaboration behind The Bark Yard is also a practical one. Under the partnership agreement, Monroe County’s Department of Parks will oversee membership registration and security, while the Town of Parma will handle daily maintenance and upkeep. Officials say this division of responsibilities will ensure long-term sustainability and smooth day-to-day operations.

Parma Town Supervisor James Roose emphasized how much the project means to local residents and credited the efforts of the town’s parks team in bringing it to life with limited resources.

“The Town identified this project a few years ago through a survey of residents conducted by the Parks and Recreation Department. Upon sharing the results and concept with NYS Assembly Representative Josh Jensen, he allocated funding to the Town for the project,” Roose said. “This dog park will be a wonderful place for Parma residents and their dogs to socialize and make new friends. Having it right here at the beautiful Parma Town Park is a great addition to a space that is already viewed as one of the best parks in Monroe County. This is a great day for pet owners and their four-legged friends in the Town of Parma and I’m very happy to see it come to reality. The project would have cost the Town significantly more had it not been for our own park staff led by Phil Smith, Kyle McDonald, and the uniquely skilled team. They performed the majority of the work, installing most of its features with the exception of fencing.”

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The Bark Yard joins a growing lineup of off-leash dog parks supported by Monroe County. Other dog parks can be found at Ellison Park, Greece Canal Park, and Webster Park, while similar partnerships exist with the Towns of Henrietta, Pittsford, and Sweden. These facilities all require dogs to be registered through the Monroe County Dog Park System, which helps manage access and safety for visitors.

Registration details and rules for all Monroe County Dog Parks — including The Bark Yard — are available on the county’s official website at monroecounty.gov/parks-DogParks.

As more families look for outdoor spaces to bond with their pets and neighbors, officials see dog parks like The Bark Yard as essential additions to the region’s recreational offerings. With green space, community involvement, and thoughtful planning all coming together, the new park is already being hailed as a win for both people and pets alike.