PORTSMOUTH — If you haven’t yet checked out the new off-leash dog park at Melville Park, you’ll have another chance on Monday, Jan. 16.

The Dog Park Planning Committee plans to open the park for another preview day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

The dog park doesn’t officially open until the spring, but the committee is scheduling several preview days throughout the winter.

In order to protect the young grass, the park will not be open if it rains or snows on Sunday or Monday. Should precipitation occur either of those days, the make-up date will be Saturday, Jan. 21.

Forms for the remaining engraved pavers for the patio will be available at the park when it is open. Otherwise, they can be found at the Town Clerk's office, the library, or by checking the “Portsmouth Loves Dogs” Facebook page or at www.portsmouthdogpark.com.

You can access the dog park from West Main Road by Bradford Avenue, which is next to Melville Elementary School, and continuing past the campground to Smith Road. Turn right on Smith Road and the dog park is on your left, just past the Melville Park entrance. 

You can also get there from Stringham Road (at the traffic light at Dunkin’ on West Main Road), continuing past the Navy housing. Take a right on Sullivan, left on Bradford and right on Smith.