In exchange, the park will be named the Ida Juris Bennett Dog Park after Bennett’s late wife. A monument in her honor will also be erected on the park grounds.
The city plans to build the dog park near the intersection of Cook Road and Ohio 48, across from the Warren County Humane Society. Lebanon received a $24,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and raised about $8,000 from a 5K run, but needed additional funding to complete the park.
“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 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 4-year-old German shepherd died shortly after Ida did, although the vet could find nothing wrong with it.
“We’re hoping to bring the two remaining dogs, and the rest of our family, to the park when it opens,” Christina said.
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 3½ acre park will be divided into separate running grounds for large and small dogs, according to park planners.
The park is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, according to deputy city manager Scott Brunka.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.
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