McHENRY – The Parks and Recreation Department’s dogged pursuit of developing a park for local pooches could lead to a grand opening as early as spring.

Department staff is poised to contract with a Grayslake-based firm, 3D Design, to prepare bid specifications and documents for the work. Officials have identified a vacant parcel adjacent to a commercial center along Route 31 as the site of the four-acre playground for dogs.

But the department needs approval from the McHenry City Council at Monday’s meeting first.