CENTER TOWNSHIP, Ind. -- Dog parents of Central Indiana will have a place to go when the weather stops cooperating with furry friends wanting to play outside. "Indy Indoor Bark Park" is the first of its kind dog park for the state, providing a year-round indoor facility for dogs and their owners to have play time regardless of the weather conditions.
Darius Smith, his wife Danielle and their Doberman, King, moved to Indianapolis from the Las Vegas area.
"When we moved here, we didn't know what to do with our dog in the winter and couldn't find a place to take him to play," Smith said.
That is when Smith said he started to look for indoor options for King and failed to find anything that would work locally other than doggy day cares.
The indoor dog park is expected to open in December and will be in the Castleton area, but the exact location will not be officially announced until their "Pre-Launch Pawty."
The public is invited to attend the Bark Park's "Pre-Launch Pawty" at Metazoa Brewing Company in Downtown Indianapolis. At the event, attendees will learn about their crowdfunding efforts and opening information, and can have the opportunity to win free day passes and monthly memberships. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend this event at Metazoa. Dogs are welcome to attend the event as well.
"Our mission is to give the Indianapolis dog-loving community a place to live out the word 'community,'" Smith said.
Smith has already set up partnerships with local dog companies, as well as other local businesses to make the indoor dog park more than just a park to play. These partnerships include City Dogs Grocery, Pet Wants, and Open Field Photography. Smith plans to have services to buy local, fresh, and organic dog food products at the park, as well as opportunities for dog owners to purchase local craft beer while their dog plays.
"We will be announcing crowdfunding opportunities to help raise money for the opening and for texturing the floor of the facility," Smith said.
Smith emphasized that Indy's Indoor Bark Park is not a doggy daycare. Dogs must be accompanied by a human owner while at the park.
There are several membership options and day passes available for purchase. That information as well as other upcoming events can be found on Indy's Indoor Bark Park website.
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