Cranberry officials are happy to report that by midweek, one small section of the township will have gone completely to the dogs.

The grand opening of the Rotary Dog Park, just off Route 19 on a 4-acre site adjacent to the township's Community Park, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"We're just so excited it's happening," said Liz Wiegand, a Cranberry resident who, with her husband Dan, helped lead the grass-roots effort to build the park. "It's been a long two years."

People started talking about building a dog park in late 2005 when pet owners said they needed a place to let their dogs run free. Dogs are not allowed in other township parks.

The Cranberry Rotary was looking for a project to sponsor, and the dog park fit the bill, said David Elliott, a Rotarian and veterinarian at the Gardens Veterinarian Hospital on Marshall Road in Cranberry.

A group of volunteers, bolstered by a $45,000 donation from the Rotary club, raised thousands of dollars to build the park.

The township donated the land, which is part of a 28-acre tract Cranberry bought in 2005, and since then several others have stepped forward to help, said Mike Diehl, Cranberry's director of parks and recreation.

"I've worked for Cranberry for eight years and this is how we have accomplished most of our projects," said Mr. Diehl, referring to the strong community support that made the dog park project possible. "I'm always impressed with the can-do attitude."

For example, Ford Fencing, of West Deer, agreed to enclose the dog park for about half the cost of the fencing, a gesture that's worth about $25,000, Mr. Diehl said.

In addition, the owners of the Cranberry Supply Co. donated about $12,000 in building materials for a gravel road leading to the dog park and for the park's parking lot.

"We keep repeating the word 'partnership,'" Mr. Diehl said. "That's been the key to our success story. And it doesn't surprise me at all."

The dog park will be double gated so dogs can't get out when another enters. It will contain one area for small dogs and two areas for larger dogs to romp and play unleashed. The two larger areas will be used on a rotation to give grass time to grow and recover from use.

A new 60-space parking lot was built so dog owners won't have to take their pets through Community Park.

Benches, trees and other landscaping will be added eventually, Mr. Diehl said.

Ms. Wiegand said there has been talk of building an obstacle course in the park for puppies and the volunteer group hopes to hold several fund raisers each year to help pay for upkeep.

The group's first big event planned after the grand opening will happen in October, Ms. Wiegand said.

Doggie-Palooza will be a chance for vendors of dog products to show off their wares while dog owners can gather at the park to enjoy a day of socializing and fun, Ms. Wiegand said.

Now that the park is built, it's up to the community to take care of it, she said.

While there will be receptacles for dog waste, the park will not be monitored and visitors will be expected to clean up after their own pets.

Ms. Wiegand said she believes people will be impressed with the facility and she's glad the volunteer group stuck with the project despite temporary setbacks involving wetlands and an underground gas line.

"I think people will like the way it's laid out," Ms. Wiegand said. "It's been worth it."