FAYETTEVILLE -- Residents and their dogs can now fully enjoy Fayetteville’s newest park, as the Riverside dog park opened Tuesday.

For several years, a group of citizens called Bark for a Park have been working with the city to build a dog park. Their dream became a reality after they gathered 900 signatures on a petition and collected $20,000 for the park’s construction.

The park is five acres surrounded by six-foot-high fences. Dogs will be allowed to run around the park without a leash.

Organizers say the park will let dogs socialize and give them a chance to exercise. It is divided into three sections – one for small dogs and two for larger dogs.

Below are a few of the park rules:

•All dogs must be legally licensed and have current vaccinations and cannot be injured or sick.

•Only dogs older than four-months old are allowed and only two dogs per person.

•Owners must have a leash with them at all times and keep their dog on a leash when outside of the fence.

•Owners are responsible for cleaning up pet waste left behind by their dog.

The park is located on Eastern Boulevard across the street from the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. It is closed from dusk till dawn.