Inspiration struck Lynn McCleary when she was on vacation in 2006. "I took my dogs to a dog park. ... They took off running, and I could see how happy they were," she recalled. "I said, 'We need one of these at home.'"

Fast forward 10 years and thanks to McCleary and a committee of volunteers, Dog Park Mount Joy opened on Nov. 1, 2016.

The journey from idea to fruition was a difficult one, she noted. Obstacles included finding the right location, getting township permission and coming up with the $220,000 needed to create and open the park.

Located in Rapho Township Community Park, Dog Park Mount Joy features a one-acre section dedicated to dogs under 35 pounds and a two-acre area for bigger dogs. Benches and walkways are found throughout the park, which is accessible by a gate activated by a membership card.

Having a membership-only dog park helps visitors feel invested in keeping the park clean and well maintained, McCleary said, noting, "They feel like they own a piece of the park."

The park is open to anyone who pays the annual membership fee, completes an application and provides a liability waiver and shot records for the dog. Discounts are offered for more than one dog.

"We have about 600 families who are members, and some of them have multiple dogs," McCleary noted. "We have people from all over Lancaster County." Members even come from out of state, including South Carolina, Wisconsin and Florida, when they are in town with their dogs to visit friends and family.

Dog Park Mount Joy is a nonprofit organization, and a committee of about 20 people has been instrumental in opening the park and keeping it open for five years, McCleary stated. The team of volunteers emphasized that all funding for Dog Park Mount Joy came from fundraising plus a matching grant from DCNR. "No taxpayer dollars were used to build this," McCleary stated.

She said that although the park charges an annual membership fee, it's only to cover operating costs. "We're not looking to make money on this," she remarked. "We are looking to have a place for our dogs to run and have fun."

Ellie Garner brings her dogs, Molly and Perry. She lost her husband, Gene, this year, and the park is a place she can come for peace and fellowship.

"Molly is blind now, so she mostly sits on my lap, and Perry just loves to be with the other dogs," Garner said.

Lani Coelho said her dogs, Bo and Rocco, enjoy seeing their furry friends. "The dogs find their own little group of dogs, and they all hang out, while their owners get to talk with each other," she said. "It's a social outlet for both people and their dogs."

Although she's been instrumental in fundraising for the park, Gail Fridy is among the few members who do not have a dog. Still, she said coming to the park brings her joy, and she credits the community with the park's success.

"We have thousands of followers on Facebook, in addition to our members," she said. "The community support for this has just been incredible."

Dog Park Mount Joy will be participating in the Extraordinary Give on Friday, Nov. 19, and new members are always encouraged to join, McCleary emphasized. For more information, call McCleary at 717-578-8873, visit the park's Facebook page or check out http://www.dogparkmountjoy.com.