“Bark” to the Future: Abilene's Camp Barkeley Leashes Up for a Move!

The City of Abilene's beloved dog park, Camp Barkeley, is "embarking" on an exciting journey to a new location in 2024 while retaining its cherished name.

Director of Parks and Recreation Lesli Andrews announced in a Parks Board meeting Tuesday that the new Camp Barkeley will find its home in Cal Young Park. The current location in Nelson Park is now closed.

This relocation will see a revamped Camp Barkeley in the undeveloped western portion of the park off East South 11th Street behind the future Pet Adoption and Resource Center (PARC), the City's new animal shelter, being built in partnership with All Kind Animal Initiative.

The move is prompted by construction plans by the Abilene Youth Sports Authority. The selected location in Cal Young Park was chosen among three alternatives by the Parks Board.

The dog park honors a U.S. Army training installation in the city during World War II.

Progress is well underway, Andrews said, with the design of the new park nearing completion and a draft expected by month's end. Following this, the City will initiate the construction process, which Andrews anticipates will proceed swiftly.

"We are planning the same size dog run area," Andrews said. "We will have increased shade for people and pets, along with benches, a water fountain, and restrooms."

Other amenities are possible as the design moves forward, she said.

Memorial items from the current park will be respectfully relocated to the new site, Andrews said.

In early 2023, All Kind took over the operation of the City's animal shelter and associated services. Animal control officers now serve under the Abilene Police Department's Animal Outreach Team.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.