If you weren't absolutely ecstatic at the thought of sprinting around trees, getting mud on your feet and meeting all sorts of strangers Saturday, there was only one explanation: You weren't a dog.

Beagles, Chihuahuas, Labrador retrievers, Boston terriers, Doberman pinschers and numerous dogs of mixed-breed lineage frolicked together happily at the grand opening of the city's first fenced dog park Saturday afternoon.

Mayor Charlie Tomlinson was on hand to greet the crowd of 100 or so owners who turned out to use the facility at Southwest Third Street and B Avenue.

"This is a town that loves beavers and dogs," Tomlinson said. "Yesterday we celebrated the Beavers; today we're celebrating the dogs."

Then, with a pair of scissors adorned with a dog bone, Tomlinson cut the ribbon strung across the gates.

Dogs and owners paraded into the fenced area. Some of the canines were undeniably gleeful to get inside; others looked a bit wary of all the excitement.

The trash cans proved irresistible to many dogs, who took turns staking their claims on the sides of the bins.

Beth Crawford of Corvallis took Buddy, a chow-Lab mix. Crawford went to law school in Eugene and is familiar with the fenced parks there.

"I was really kind of surprised to find out Corvallis didn't have one, so once I found out this one was opening I was super psyched," she said.

With Crawford was Stephanie Avon and Frankie, a long-haired dachshund.

The "mama's boy" preferred to stay next to his person, but Avon said she nevertheless was happy the park had opened.

"I think it's great for everyone who has a dog in Corvallis," she said.

Both Crawford and Avon said the park, which is nearly an acre in size, was bigger than they thought it would be.

Perhaps no dog enjoyed the event more than Horatio, an American bulldog.

Horatio gleefully barreled through the park, quickly amassing a group of like-minded companions to run, jump and play with.

Owners Marcus and Autumn Benton got Horatio about two weeks ago from a family in Eugene.

"We were pretty excited when we heard about this," Marcus Benton said.

They had seen him in action in a fenced dog park there, so they weren't surprised at his reaction Saturday.

"We knew he was going to be stoked at the grand opening," Autumn Benton said.

The couple would like Horatio to perhaps work as a therapy dog someday, so they liked the opportunity to socialize Horatio with dogs and people.

Many small dogs were in attendance. Missy Parker, who is trying to raise money for a small dogs only portion of the park, set up a table nearby for donations.

Parker said a couple from California recently donated about $2,000 to the effort - on behalf of their dogs - a significant amount of the necessary funds.

Anyone interested can donate to the "Small Dog Park" account at OSU Federal Credit Union.

Jackie Rochefort, parks planner, said the event was successful.

"This has been absolutely great," she said. "The turnout is tremendous. The weather is tremendous."

The opening marked the completion of a project that had been in the city's Capital Improvement Program for more than four years.

As she looked at the crowd of people and dogs enjoying the park, Rochefort said the effort was clearly worthwhile.

"I think this shows how much we need it," she said.