SACO — The finishing touches have yet to be put on the Saco Dog Park, but it’s up and running and already popular with local dogs and their owners.

Saco Parks and Recreation Director Joe Hirsch said the park had a soft opening in early June, but there are details that still need to be addressed, such as the installation of benches and signs.

Hirsch said there is going to be an official grand opening of the park in the fall, which he hopes dog owners will attend with their dogs and give feedback.

The dog park, a fenced-in area in Pepperell Park off School Street, was constructed entirely with donations, with the exception of a truck load of stone dust from the city, said Hirsch.

“We’ve been waiting for it to open,” said Jeremy Rideout, who was at the park with his 2-year-old black Labrador retriever, Rocko, late Wednesday afternoon.

“He loves it,” said Rideout. “The second we leave the front door, he’s dragging us down here.”

Rideout said he takes Rocko to the dog park three or four times a day, and it gets busiest around 6 p.m.

“He’s made all kinds of friends,” said Rideout.

Also at the park was Maya, a former Guatemalan street dog adopted by Tira Denny, who recently moved to the area from New York.

“I really like it,” she said of the dog park, which she said is better maintained and more peaceful than other dog parks she’s used.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].