This abandoned space in Columbus has been revived for dogs and their owners
A space in MidCity Yards dormant since late 2024 has been reactivated as a place where “off-leash play meets community hangout.”
The Yard, operated by Paws Humane Society and described as a dog park and social club, welcomed the community to its soft opening Friday. Paws is leasing the site previously occupied for three years by Fetch Park, 1432 Fifth Ave., in Columbus.
“This is another way for us to have a perpetual fundraiser for Paws Humane Society,“ Courtney Pierce, executive director of Paws, told the Ledger-Enquirer. “So all the proceeds, that come from the memberships and anything from our Airstream goes back into programming at Paws Humane.”
Pierce said revenue streams at The Yard will include memberships and drink sales. They have coffee and dirty sodas available for purchase, and they are in the process of getting an alcohol license.
Dogs must be vetted and have a membership to enter. Yearly, monthly and daily memberships for dogs are available. Membership details, requirements needed to vet your dog and more are available at The Yard’s website.
Admission for humans is free, and dog lovers without dogs are also welcome.
Pierce said the grand opening date is to be determined.
“Everybody was excited about it,” she said. “So we wanted to go ahead and get it open and let people come and bring their dogs, and you know we’re going to continue to make improvements as we go.”
Pierce said they have plans for trivia nights, bingo and live music, and a part of the yard has been modified to host food trucks.
“We wanted it to be a one-stop shop,” she said, “so that you could come with your family, and you can eat, you can have some entertainment, you can hang out with your friends, and you don’t have to leave your dog at home.”
