Allen Township’s latest upgrades to its dog park on Savage Road are bringing a lot of praise from local dog owners.

Before the improvements, the local park was a grassy lot with a fence. The improvements are attracting dog owners from all around the Lehigh Valley.

“In an urban area, there isn’t a place to let your dog exercise and run with other dogs, so we really rely on these parks,” Melissa DeJesus said.

The township’s recent upgrades include a concrete pad at the entrance. There are parasols where dogs can get out of the sun and bridges to crawl under and leap over.

Dog owners have brought water dishes and left them there for others to share.

Older plastic chairs supplement the township’s park benches, where dog owners can sit and chat. Conversations often include the much-appreciated parasols.

The new park is divided, keeping bigger dogs and smaller dogs separated.

The advantage of the park is the area is large enough for dogs to get out and run without the danger of them straying into the street or another property.

The park is well cared for. Dog owners keep it clean, and the township mows the grass. There are dog stations that have cleanup bags.

The park is usually full, particularly just before sunset.