New Bark Park Coming to Ruston, Louisiana

Louisiana Tech's School of Design partners with Ruston Animal Shelter to build the city's first free dog park.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Louisiana Tech's School of Design has teamed up with Ruston Animal Shelter to design and build the first free dog park in Ruston, called the Bark Park. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 2, and the ribbon cutting is scheduled for May 22 at the end of Tech's spring quarter. The new dog park aims to provide a space for dogs to run and play, while also increasing foot traffic and adoption rates at the animal shelter.

Why it matters

The Bark Park project is seen as an important step in improving the health and well-being of the Ruston community's furry friends. By providing a dedicated space for dogs to exercise and socialize, the park is expected to boost adoption rates at the local animal shelter and strengthen the bond between people and their pets.

The details

The Bark Park will be located behind the Ruston Animal Shelter at 1212 McAllister Drive. Students from a variety of majors at Louisiana Tech's School of Design, including studio art, architecture, and graphic design, have been involved in the design and planning process. The park is part of a larger master plan that will eventually encompass nearly 5 acres of green space for the Ruston community.

  • The groundbreaking ceremony for the Bark Park was held on March 2, 2026.
  • The ribbon cutting for the Bark Park is scheduled for May 22, 2026, at the end of Louisiana Tech's spring quarter.

The players

Ruston Animal Shelter

A local animal shelter in Ruston, Louisiana that has partnered with Louisiana Tech's School of Design to create the new Bark Park.

Louisiana Tech School of Design

The design school at Louisiana Tech University that has collaborated with the Ruston Animal Shelter to design and build the Bark Park.

Bill Sanderson

The director of Ruston Animal Control, who played a key role in the creation of the Bark Park to provide dogs with more opportunities to run and exercise.

Robert Brooks

A faculty member involved with the Bark Park project, who believes the park is a good indication of the health of the Ruston community and its care for animals.

Taryn Davidson

A third-year studio art student at Louisiana Tech who has been part of the design team for the Bark Park, highlighting the collaborative nature of the project across different disciplines.

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What they’re saying

“A dog spends all of their time on the leash if they're in the city or inside the house, but they want to cut loose and run. They want to get the zoomies. They want to run their energy out, get their exercise. One of the detriments to dogs living in the shelter long term is those dogs not getting the chance to interact with people and get out and see something besides the four walls of their kennel.”

— Bill Sanderson, Director of Ruston Animal Control (lincolnparishjournal.com)

“This is a pretty good indication of the health of our community. Not too long ago, there was a new animal shelter built because we value our furry friends. And now we're building not only an entry to a dog park, but we've laid the groundwork for a master plan of almost five acres of a park for the whole community.”

— Robert Brooks, Faculty member (lincolnparishjournal.com)

“This project has been a chance to learn in a way that feels real and connected to the community we live in. Throughout the design phase, we've learned how much stronger our ideas become when we combine our different skills – studio, architecture, graphic design and everything in-between. Working side by side has taught us how to communicate, problem solve and trust each other's strengths.”

— Taryn Davidson, Third-year studio art student (lincolnparishjournal.com)

What’s next

The ribbon cutting for the Bark Park is scheduled for May 22, 2026, at the end of Louisiana Tech's spring quarter.

The takeaway

The Bark Park project demonstrates the power of community partnerships and the positive impact they can have on both people and their pets. By providing a dedicated space for dogs to exercise and socialize, the park is expected to boost adoption rates at the local animal shelter and strengthen the bond between Ruston residents and their furry companions.