Day for Dogs at New Farmington Hills Park

Natalie Pilutti lives close to the new William Grace Dog Park in Farmington Hills, but she hasn't been taking her 3-year-old retriever mix Kiki there.

The combination of disappointment over the loss of William Grace Elementary School and the $35 cost to become a member stopped her. But on Saturday morning, Pilutti and her daughter, Ava, attended Bark in the Park, a grand opening event that featured vendors, food and a chance for pet owners to check out the facility.

Ava, 5, loves the dog park and reminded her mother about the event. Ava said she likes seeing all the dogs, but she thinks the park would be good for Kiki, too. "I think she wants to play with other dogs," Ava said. 

"(Ava) is talking me into doing it next year," Pilutti said. "I will bite the bullet and do the classes." 

The park was created on the former elementary school property, with   to the for $1 per year. The park is open to dog owners who live in the City of Farmington Hills or Farmington Public School District and have taken orientation classes conducted by Paws in the Hills volunteers. 

Scores of dogs and their families attended the Saturday event. And then there was Larry Glanz, who isn't a dog owner, but has four cats. A financial planner with an office in downtown Farmington, Glanz was the very first donor to the Paws in the Hills organization, organizer Masha Silver said. 

"Masha is a client, and she told me about the dog park," Glanz explained, adding he was happy to support the facility. "We have four cats, but we're animal lovers ... This is really neat for people with dogs. They can really run."

Share your Bark in the Park photos by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" link.