Frank Speziale photo

NORWICH – A Norwich High School senior is spearheading an initiative to create a dog park in the City of Norwich by summer 2019.

NHS senior Hannah Baker has raised over $1,500 for the prospective dog park, which would be located at Greenway Park by River and Rexford Streets, after getting the green light to fundraise for the project from the City of Norwich Parks Commission.

"My family travels a lot and we always bring our dogs to dog parks. Our dogs love it and other dogs love it too," said Baker. "It's just a community builder."

Baker said she was surprised to see how popular dog parks are in other areas, and equally surprised Norwich doesn't have one yet. As part of her fundraising efforts, Baker is in Norwich's West Park with a model of the dog park every Saturday throughout Saturdays in the Park with Chobani doing 50/50 raffles and educating community members.

"It's been pretty good, there's been a huge turnout," said Baker. "A lot of people are in support of it and they're just excited to hear more about it as it comes along."