Some questions about dog parks.

[Papa Deuce]

Is this something you pay to gain admission to? Are they just fields, or are there actual things for dogs to do?

I was at the dog groomer's place today and he was telling me that he wants to open one but is getting nowhere with the township. I've never seen a dog park before, and I was short on time so I didn't ask him these questions.

 

[golfgal]

Our dog park is a county park. There is either a $5/day usage charge or a $40/annual pass. Our dog park has a few tubes for the dogs to crawl through, they just pee on them though. Our park is set up so there is about 2 football fields of open space for the dogs to run and then there are paths through the woods you can go through as well. The paths are wood-hipped from fallen trees in the park. All the dogs have access to the entire park. There is another dog park near us that has a small section for little dogs and a larger section for the big dogs. That one is just open space for the dogs to play together.

 

[Liberty Belle]

We have several in our town and go to two fairly regularly. They're both just fenced in areas where dogs can run. People usually bring in gallons of water for the dogs whose owners forgot. There are also lots of tennis balls inside the fences for the dogs to play with. I'm not sure if the city or just an individual put them there. Ours are free.

 

[bekkiz]

We have a 40 acre dog park located in a huge park complex. It's free to use, although it's $1 to park anywhere on park property. THis particular park has been described as doggie Disneyland, because there's all different types of terrain, including a river with multple areas for the dogs to jump in and swim. It's maintained by a local organization. Marymoor Dog Park

However, most dog parks I've been to are smaller areas, maybe the size of a little league basball field at the largest. They're maintained by the city, and are generally free to use. (these were in California). They were all just large grass or dirt fields, maybe with a few trees.

I once thought it would be neat to like buy or rent a large indoor horse arena/barn and use that as an all-weather dog park, and charge a usage fee, but then again, I'm lazy and I've always lived where there were plenty of free dog parks, so I never thought there would be much or a market.

 

[snowball22]

Our parks and recs in central Ohio have opened quite a few of them here within the past few years. Most are just fenced in fields. The best dog park is located at Alum Creek State Park. There are two running fields, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. There is a water fountain, trees, and places to sit. People bring toys for the dogs to play with. The best part of this park is the doggie beach. It is fenced in. You let the dogs go and they jump in the water and go swimming. They chase other dogs and just have fun!! It is a great time always for the whole family. We always wear old clothes as we always end up as wet as the dog after he goes swimming.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Interesting. I was thinking that he was planning things like agility course or flyball, and charging people.... or maybe something with frisbees. I can't imagine why he would want to open one up unless it was for money.

I would guess that what I was thinking could be done, though, and dogs would love it.

 

[Planogirl]

There is one in a town close to us and it's just an open area specifically set up for dogs. Some have separate areas for small dogs from what I understand but I don't think that this one does.

Some people are trying to get one in Frisco but a group is fighting it tooth and nail. The city would have to buy the land which doesn't come cheap and those opposed feel that it's unfair to spend a lot of money for only one group of citizens.

 

[golfgal]

Interesting. I was thinking that he was planning things like agility course or flyball, and charging people.... or maybe something with frisbees. I can't imagine why he would want to open one up unless it was for money.

I would guess that what I was thinking could be done, though, and dogs would love it.

Our dog park doesn't allow you to bring in toys of any kind. Dogs get aggressive over things like that so that might be something your friend would want to look into. I think the agility equipment would be a waste of money as most dogs won't use it unless he is specifically setting it up for agility training only.

 

[Papa Deuce]

There is one in a town close to us and it's just an open area specifically set up for dogs. Some have separate areas for small dogs from what I understand but I don't think that this one does.

Some people are trying to get one in Frisco but a group is fighting it tooth and nail. The city would have to buy the land which doesn't come cheap and those opposed feel that it's unfair to spend a lot of money for only one group of citizens.

Wouldn't be Frisco if people weren't fighting about SOMETHING! Seriously, that area is getting national attention about the crazy stuff that goes on in that area.....

 

[Planogirl]

Wouldn't be Frisco if people weren't fighting about SOMETHING! Seriously, that area is getting national attention about the crazy stuff that goes on in that area.....

Hey, at least we like to do things in a big way.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Most of our dog parks are fenced off areas of city or county parks. Most are free but you do have to have a city dog license which is less than $10 a year and current rabies vaccination. They give you a card like a grocery frequent shopper card or a tag for the dog's collar and you have to be ready to show it at all times. I've been asked many times so they really are serious about that.

One of our parks has a small dog area but no trees or toys or things for them to do. Not even a faucet for water on super hot days The other, that's really close to us, has a fountain, lots of trees, benches, things to climb on and run through and miles of shaded trails. There's even a place for them to swim! But there's no small dog area. Being less than 10#, Petey frequently get's trampled by the boxers and rottweilers and so he doesn't get to enjoy it for very long

A dog park with lots of amenities for the dogs would be great but I can't begin to imagine the liability issues that would go along with being the private owner of one