HIGHLANDS – The fenced in dog area currently in use at Popamora Point at the end of Shore Drive will officially become the third Monmouth County off-leash dog area following ceremonies Wednesday ,Dec. 14 at 11:30 a.m., Mayor Carolyn Broullon announced this week.
Dedication
The new facility will be dedicated and named the Kerry McEntee Gowan Dog Area honoring the late NYPD K-9 trainer who was the borough’s animal control officer for almost 30 years She died in July and Broullon and Council determined naming the new facility in her honor would pay tribute to all she did both for the borough and as an SPCA Law Enforcement officer.
The mayor also cited McEntee-Gowan’s work with both wild and domestic animals regardless of work time.
Open Invitation
The public is invited to attend and see the new area and learn how the county and the borough participated in having the facility become a part of the Monmouth County Park System’s care and attention program for canines.
Public Requests
Broullon said in response to numerous requests from local residents for such a facility, and noting the borough’s space limitations to both convenience and space, she reached out to Monmouth County Commissioner Ross LaCitra for study and recommendations of a program the borough and county cold work together.
The mayor and commissioner met in February of last year, and toured the Monmouth County Parks locations at both Popamora and Hartshorne Woods and both determined that the Popamora site would be most fitting for the off-leash area.
For the Dogs
Nearly hidden from view from the parking area at Popomora, the fenced in area is filled with trees, an irregular landscape and plenty of opportunities for dog owners to watch their canines run free, romp with other dogs or play chase and fetch with their owners. There is seating within the area and rules posted similar to similar Monmouth County facilities.
Popomora joins Thompson Park in Lincroft and Wolf Hill Recreation Area in Middletown as the third Monmouth County off-leash dog area and will be governed under the same regulations as govern all the facilities.
The Popomora facility was approved by the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners in April, 2022 and opened this past June. With the death of McEntee Gowan the following month, the County Commissioners agreed with the borough the site should be named in her honor.
Hours
Hours for the facility will be from 8 a.m. to dusk, and all size dogs are welcome, with their owners maintaining their own canines’ cleanliness The Monmouth County park system will do weekly maintenance on the site, which will be open seven days a week. Pet owners must bring collars and leashes for the dogs, and all canines must be up to date with vaccinations and wear a collar with an up-to-date license.
