A collection of vibrant, life-sized cast iron dog sculptures depicting man's best friend in various poses - playing, sniffing, and sitting - are set to find a permanent home at Horbury's Carr Lodge Park, pending approval from Wakefield Council. The colorful artworks celebrate the natural joy and companionship that dogs bring to park visitors and the local community.
The sculptures were originally created by artist Jenny Hutchinson for a planned public sculpture trail in Wakefield city center, but according to official documents, that project was never realized. Now, local councilors in Horbury have proposed giving these artistic pieces a new purpose by installing them permanently in the town's main recreational area.
The Friends of Horbury's Parks submitted a planning application explaining the project's vision: "The proposed sculptures celebrate the park's popularity with local dog walkers and promote the joy of the nature found within the park." The organization emphasized that the proposal aims to enhance both the cultural and aesthetic value of the park while encouraging community engagement and meaningful interaction with public art among park visitors.
Jenny Hutchinson, the Wakefield-based artist behind these works, specializes in airbrushed artwork and large-scale murals. Her impressive client roster includes international rapper Drake and supermodel Naomi Campbell, and her artwork has been featured in prestigious publications like Vogue magazine. The dog sculpture designs incorporate local wildlife, flora, and fauna, drawing inspiration from collaborative workshops she conducted with various community groups throughout Horbury.
The sculptures themselves are owned by Wakefield Council and were expertly fabricated by David Appleyard. If the planning application receives approval, the dogs will be strategically placed in different locations throughout the park, with one notable piece - a golden retriever sculpture - positioned prominently in the park's rockery area.
According to the official project statement, "The proposed dog sculptures will bring a sense of character and cultural value to Carr Lodge Park." The initiative promotes multiple community benefits including interaction, inclusivity, health and well-being, and public enjoyment, while being thoughtfully designed in terms of scale, materials, painted design, and placement to preserve the park's existing character and natural beauty.
The sculptures have been designed to be both accessible to all visitors and durable enough to withstand outdoor conditions, enhancing the public space with minimal impact on the park's landscape. Carr Lodge Park itself holds historical significance, as it occupies the grounds of the former Carr Lodge estate, which was originally built between 1770 and 1775. The grounds were transformed for public use during the 20th century, evolving into a formal municipal park and recreational space that continues to serve the community today.
