By Nancy Young
Enquirer contributor

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Baseball fans aren't the only ones who can get commemorative bricks for the holidays.Now there are bricks for dog lovers, too. West Chester Township Parks and Recreation Department is offering Canine Commemorative Bricks for sale. The bricks, available for $75, will be incorporated into the new Wiggly Field dog park being created at Voice of America Park, just as the Cincinnati Reds will sell commemorative bricks for their new ballpark next year.

The 3-acre dog park will include large fenced areas for dogs to play and explore, dog drinking fountains, benches, a paved staging area and secure gate. A nearby bone-shaped seating area will be created for pet owners to congregate while their dogs roam inside a fenced-in secure area. The commemorative bricks will be laid out in this section. Bricks can be engraved with up to three lines of type.

"This is a wonderful way for families to remember a dog that has passed away, as well as dogs that remain important members of the family," says West Chester Parks and Recreation Director Bill Zerkle.

West Chester Township resident Karyn Dobson agreed. "We would consider donating a brick on behalf of our pets. Dogs play such a significant role in a family's life. It's also nice that you can include more than one dog's name on each brick."

To order, contact Chrisbell Bednar at 759-7305 or go to www.westchesteroh.org/. There are also opportunities to donate trees and benches to Wiggly Field.

The park is being created with donations by Iams and by West Chester resident Tanya Zerkle.