FOLEY, Ala. — Foley dog lovers will soon have their own haven in which to bring their pooches for exercise and socializing.

During its regular meeting Monday, the Foley City Council gave the go ahead to begin the process of adding The Foley Dog Park and overflow parking in the city’s downtown area.

According to City Administrator Mike Thompson, the park will be located next to the new City Employee Clinic on Nelson property the city bought. Both sit behind the Post Office.

Foley will join the ranks of municipal dog parks located throughout Baldwin County in Daphne, Fairhope, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Thompson also said overflow parking, which would contain about 85 spaces for vehicles, would be added west of the park. He estimated that the cost of the project would be approximately $240,000, with a large portion of construction provided in-house.

The new dog park is expected to be completed in the spring, before the city’s Streetscape Project continues.

“I’d like to have these 85 spots in place before we cut into that rose trail,” Thompson said.

Councilman Charlie Ebert asked whether his fellow city officials considered this a better spot for the park than in the Old Town subdivision.

“I do because this brings people downtown,” Councilman Ralph Hellmich said.

Further discussion deemed that to be the consensus on the location of the dog park.

With Monday’s vote, plans move forward with the project.