“I think Carol and Katy would’ve loved this place,” said Pocatello Animal Services Director Mary Remer with a smile.

On Saturday, Pocatello Animal Services, Friends of the Pocatello Animal Shelter, Mayor Brian Blad, Councilwoman Eva Nye and others cut the ribbon to officially open Katie’s Dog Park.

Located next to the Pocatello Animal Shelter, the new park gets its name from the late Carol Stenson’s dog, Katy.

“Carol was an amazing advocate for all animals,” Remer said. “We’re happy to name this park after one of the many animals she loved dearly.”

The half-acre park features two separate play areas. One is meant for large, active, and energetic dogs, and another for smaller dogs or those that are a little more leisurely in their play.

Other amenities include two water fountains, benches, a shade pergola donated by Lowe’s, and most importantly, the entire park is fenced in so dogs are free to run off leash.

“Dogs are social creatures,” Remer explains. “They need to interact with other dogs to challenge them physically and mentally. The playing that happens at dog parks helps to create a well-rounded dog.”

Katie’s Dog Park is the second dog park in Pocatello and joins the Old Town Bark Park along North Union Pacific Avenue. “Katie’s Dog Park” was funded through a one-time donation by Stenson to Friends of the Pocatello Animal Shelter and cost approximately $81,000.

“We’d like to thank the Stenson family and the Friends of the Pocatello Animal Shelter for their overwhelming support of our shelter and for the work they’ve done to better the lives of animals in our community,” said Councilwoman Eva Nye.

Stenson and Katy also led the charge to create the “Katie’s Old Friends” adoption program. The effort serves to help find homes for senior dogs — ages 6 and older — by paying a portion of the adoption few.

For more information on “Katie’s Dog Park” or the “Katie’s Old Friends” program, visit Pocatello.us/animal.