The city of Medford has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Stanton Foundation to build a dog park in Riverbend Park.

The city has been working with the resident group, Paws 4 Medford, for the past 18 months on the development and financing of Medford's first official dog park. The goals of the group are to create a new off-leash recreation area, have separate areas for large and small dogs, include shade, a water supply and lighting for evening use.

In addition, the dog park would be fully ADA compliant.

The city will be utilizing funds previously raised through the Fast 14 project and a Boston Volunteers Doggie Fun Run. Also, the city has contracted for a feasibility study to determine the best location for a dog park on city owned land.

The location selected, Riverbend Park, provides natural shading to the park. Riverbend Park is already a very popular destination for dog owners in Medford, so providing an off-leash area with "poop bag" dispensers and dedicated trash as well as an irrigation system to rinse the area will be an improvement to the quality of life of Medford's dog owners.

Paws 4 Medford has worked with an experienced dog park designer to develop a two phase plan. Phase 1 will consist of a 12,000 square foot fenced-in area that will be divided into a large dog and a small dog area.

Phase 1 has been fully funded by the grant and monies previously raised by the city as listed above. Phase 2 would provide a second, 4,000 square foot area that would be dedicated to small dogs, allowing the entire Phase 1 park to be a large dog park at completion.

The Stanton Foundation was created by Frank Stanton, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest executives in the history of electronic communications and one of the television industry's founding fathers. He was president of CBS from 1946 to 1971. The foundation's support for canine welfare includes both research and traditional grant programs to promote the welfare of dogs and strengthen the human/dog bond.

"I am extremely excited to be opening the first official dog park within the community that allows our residents to have an open space for their dogs," said Mayor Stephanie M. Burke. "Adding a dog park to the community enhances recreational value and I am very thankful for the dedication and support from Paws 4 Medford throughout this process."