Reno's downtown dog park features murals of local pets. The project is set to be finished this Summer, but there's still time to get your favorite pet on one of the walls.
Local artist Hannah Eberle has spent the past few summers painting nearly 300 cats and dogs.
"I've really seen this space transform in the last couple of years," Eberle said. "That's the best part, to see people come down here to check it out and get interested in it, and get excited. I love when people bring their pets down and I get to meet them, there's a handful of them on the wall that I know because they use the park and I love it because I'm a dog person through and through."
The Reno Police Department's K-9 Unit is featured on the wall facing Sierra Street.
"That was hard, German Shepherds are hard!," Eberle said. "They have an undercoat and two-tone fur, but it was cool. They're a very strong pack and I got to put them on the street side. I haven't met the officers, yet but I'm hoping to catch them sometime when they come down."
Donations for the murals help with upkeep for the park, something that's become a gathering spot for downtown pet owners, even during a pandemic.
"During this pandemic I've watched it," said Sherron Elledge, a neighbor who has spearheaded volunteer efforts for the park. "Everybody has observed the distancing rules, and they still have an outlet for communal connections when their dogs are playing, and they can still talk to each other. It's an outside space that's a blessing to downtown."
There are still spots available, but they're going fast.
"It'll be finished by October, and once the spots are full, they're full," Eberle said. "So we're looking for people to sign up sooner rather than later so we can get their spots for them."
It's been a popular gift for animal lovers.
"Father's Day is coming," Elledge said. "If you don't know what to get your dad and he has a beloved pet, right here."
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