Photo by Alex Meyer A closed sign stands Thursday at the entrance to the section of the Fitzsimmons Family Dog Park reserved for larger breeds.

WHEELING — Larger canine companions will have to sit out visiting Wheeling’s dog park for the next week or so while the city regrows grass at a section of the facility.

The part of the Fitzsimmons Family Dog Park reserved for large breed dogs is closed temporarily to allow the surface to rehabilitate and may reopen later next week, Wheeling officials announced Thursday.

The grass at the park needs time to recover due to recent dry weather that took a toll on the surface, and the city is working to help it recover, said Russell Jebbia, public works director.

“There are concerns about losing the grass,” Jebbia said. “We have put fertilizer down and with some rain, which is in the forecast, the surface should recover relatively quickly.”

The park was devoid of dogs and owners early Thursday afternoon, and a sign stating “dog park temporarily closed for maintenance” was posted at the entrance of the larger dog section.

Such temporary closures happen occasionally to preserve the grass, Jebbia said, and the city’s plan is to reopen the section as soon as Aug. 23.

The dog park, located at the Tunnel Green Recreation Complex adjacent to W.Va. 2, was previously closed from November through mid-April because the ground was too wet and muddy.

During that closure, city crews installed a French drain system in the park intended to keep the facility dry throughout the summer.

Crews also planted grass seed and replenished mulch on the property.

Jebbia said dog park attendees with smaller breeds should feel free to take their companions to the portion of the facility that remains open. The park has two sections, one for larger breeds and one for smaller dogs, that both have separate water and waste stations.

The site, part of Wheeling’s parks system, opened in 2017 as the Ohio Valley’s first dog park. It can be accessed by vehicle from 18th Street and on foot from Heritage Trail.