The park has been primarily funded by Charles Bennett, a retired lawyer and professor, who donated $60,000 for the completion of the park to honor his deceased wife, Ida Juris Bennett.
“My mom loved dogs and when we saw that Lebanon needed a dog park, the idea just fit her so perfectly,” said Christina Juris Bennett, Charles and Ida’s daughter. Ida Bennett lived in Lebanon for more than 20 years and her husband remains in the city.
Ida died of endometrial cancer in October 2009 at the age of 56. Christina said her mom was an unapologetic dog lover. “We always had three German shepherds — one for my mom, one for my dad, and one for me,” Christina said. “Then sometimes we’d have a fourth dog if mom took one in for awhile. She just loved dogs.”
Christina said her mother’s last dog, a four-year-old German shepherd died shortly after Ida, although the vet could find nothing wrong with the animal.
A monument in Ida Bennett’s honor has been erected at the entrance to the park.
The American Veterinary Medical Association estimated there were approximately 11,000 dogs in the Lebanon area, but no dog park within 10 miles of the city. The 3 1/2 acre park will be divided into separate running grounds for large and small dogs, according to park planners.
A grand opening celebration for the park will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3. Members of the Bennett family will be present along with city officials. Everyone - two and four legged - is welcome to attend the celebration.
The park was constructed by the J.K. Meurer group for $92,800. Besides the Bennett donation, the city received a $24,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and raised about $8,000 from a 5K run to construct the park.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.
About the Author