Pols, pups help open new Southie park

POOCH PATROL: Elected officials wrangle a pack of dogs for a ribbon-cutting during the grand opening of the East First Street Dog Park in South Boston yesterday. From left, City Councilor Michael Flaherty, City Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George, former Mayor Raymond L. Flynn, City Councilor Bill Linehan, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry and state Rep. Nick Collins.
(Boston, MA - 10/27/16) Boston Mayor Martin Walsh speaks with reporters in South Boston, Thursday, October 27, 2016. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.
(Boston, MA - 10/27/16) Boston City Councilor Bill Linehan, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, and Rep. Stephen Lynch talk during the grand opening of the East First Street Dog Park in South Boston, Thursday, October 27, 2016. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.
(Boston, MA - 10/27/16) A dog hangs out during the grand opening of the East First Street Dog Park in South Boston, Thursday, October 27, 2016. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.
(Boston, MA - 10/27/16) Rep. Stephen Lynch, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, and Boston City Councilor Bill Linehan, talk during the grand opening of the East First Street Dog Park in South Boston, Thursday, October 27, 2016. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.
(Boston, MA - 10/27/16) Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn attends the grand opening of the East First Street Dog Park in South Boston, Thursday, October 27, 2016. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.
(Boston, MA - 10/27/16) Elected officials wrangle a pack of pooches for a ribbon-cutting photo op with Massport CEO Thomas Glynn, center, during the grand opening of the East First Street Dog Park in South Boston, Thursday, October 27, 2016. From left are Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty, City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George, former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn, City Councilor Bill Linehan, Mayor Martin Walsh, Rep. Stephen Lynch, Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, and Rep. Nick Collins. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.

PUBLISHED: October 28, 2016 at 12:00 a.m. | UPDATED: November 17, 2018 at 12:00 a.m.

Some furry four-legged friends joined some local two-legged pols for tail-wagging and a ribbon-cutting celebration yesterday during the grand opening of South Boston’s East First Street Dog Park.

“It’s really incredible because there are so many great residents of this community who love their dogs and love their animals,” Mayor Martin J. Walsh said. “The opportunity to have a state-of-the-art dog park so our dog-walkers and their dogs have a place to go, it’s truly great to see that ?happen in this community.”

The quarter-acre park, located between M and L streets in Southie, includes public benches, a pet fountain and even canine ?exercise equipment.

Walsh was joined by U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, Bay State Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, state Rep. Nick Collins, City Councilors Bill Linehan, Michael Flaherty and Annissa Essaibi-George, and former mayor and former ambassador to the Vatican, ?Raymond L. Flynn.