The Daphne Dog Park at Trione Park will get an upgrade Saturday as the park will receive a new sign and old fire hydrants.

A dedication ceremony—set for 11 a.m. Saturday—will feature a sign dedication from Councilman August Palumbo.

The sign, according to Daphne Animal Shelter animal control officer Rhonda Jones, aims to raise awareness about the animal shelter’s efforts and existence.

“It will tell the people where the animal shelter is,” she said. “A lot of people may come from out of town to use the park and they don’t know Daphne even has an animal shelter.”

Palumbo  agreed that public awareness must be raised about the shelter.

“We hope that a sign at the Daphne Dog Park, which is still the only dog park in south Alabama, will raise awareness of our city shelter for those wishing to adopt animls that come to our shelter in need of a permanent home.”

Palumbo—who doesn’t see himself as an animal-rights activist, per se—said he somehow inherited the cause.

He has since voted in favor of ordinances that created the dog park and eliminated chaining and tethering of pets.

Saturday’s event will include an animal-adoption drive organized by Maddie’s Fund, a no-kill organization that partners with the Daphne Animal Shelter, Fairhope Animal Control, The Haven for Animals, Baldwin County Animal Control Center and Bay Minette Animal Control. Maddies identifies unwanted animals—to be otherwise euthanized—and aims to find them a permanent homes.

“Our Daphne shelter has done a wonderful job in obtaining grants from Maddie’s rescue fund that provide extra funds for the care of animals that come into our city facility,” Palumbo said.

“The shelters have also worked hard to have on-site adoptions which are more successful than waiting for folks to visit the shelter for adoptions,” he said.

As part of Saturday’s festivities, Daphne Utilities will donate a set of old fire hydrants, though useless for fighting fires the lawn ornaments should provide some use for dogs who want to mark their territory.

And that, after all, was why the dog park was created. 

Also on hand will be children’s activities, including a fire truck, tattoos and coloring tables; hot dogs; and snow cones. Admission is free.

For more information, contact the Daphne Animal Shelter at 621-2831.