Dog Park Question

[Micah]

The city I live in does not allow dogs in any public parks.  The city has stated that they would provide the fencing and build a parking lot for a dog park if we can find enough land to do it.

Here are my questions: What is the ideal size for a dog park?  What is the smallest park you have seen and did it "work"?  How much parking is actually needed?

Thanks!

Micah

[Estelita]

I think it depends on the dogs.  The one that we go to most often is just an acre.  It's perfect for no more than 20 dogs.   There is another one in our town that is almost 3 acres.  I hate it!  It's just way too big.

[MaureenC]

Hi Micah,
The city where we live has a dog park that's about an acre.  It's fully cyclone fenced with a double gate entry.  The city paid for the fencing and mulched the ground.  A group of dog lovers got together and called themselves the K9 Coalition and they raised money to bring water to the park.  Just last summer a Boy Scout built an arbor out of redwood as a project that provides some shade over a picnic table.  I have never seen more than about 10 dogs there at one time.  Usually there are just 2-3.  Saturdays and Sundays seem to be the busiest times.  There is nearby parking in a school lot and neighborhood parking about a quarter mile away.
Hope this helps!

[Rosebud]

The dog park I used to go to was close to 10+ acres. It was rather nice, a group of us could hike and just let the dogs play. It had lakes and trails through wooded areas, you did have to watch for snakes in some of the areas but they mostly stayed in the areas where the dogs didn't go.

Sometimes there was probably over 40 dogs there, other times we were almost the only ones. The acerage allowed us to take the RR's away from dogs that had questionable dog park etiquette without worrying about fights but still enjoy a day at the park.

There is also a small park that I would take my IG to but I only took the ridgebacks there when they were puppies since there is no fences.

 

Michelle C

[melissap]

Micah, we just moved from Novi & I had goen to the bark park in Wixom on a very regular basis when BRando was younger - it is okay - but it is best to go mid week and off times as it gets really over crowded - and some of the general public are careless with their dogs - I have heard good things about the dt Northville BP, but beleive there is a waitng list - When we lived in Novi I'd take brando to the soccer fields on 8 Mile when they were not occupied or try to hit mayberry - the wooded walking paths are a nice place to get out and take a long walk -

Melissa

[melissap]

Oh - THere is a great bark park in AnnArbor - Privately owned by a woman who I beleive breeds goldens. she has each person who has a pass meet you and your dog(s) - this is a nice place to head out to! lots of walking paths -She owns a drop in dog grooming facility very nice w/ a creek and all the people I had encountered there were great - I am unpacking, but I've got the nakmme someplace - if you are interested - post a reply -

[BarbaraRR]

I think that often in small dog parks the regular visitors become packs - both people and dogs sometimes! This works well for labs - the people stand in one spot ant throw tennis balls. I don't like dog parks where all the people stand together in a crowd urging their dogs to "go play."

So, the larger the better. The more the "dog park" can resemble a large public park with hiking trails rather than a fenced off acre, the better.

If it's impossible to have a large area with many acres, then I think it would be a good idea to have more than one entrance - as many as possible.  What often happens is that when a new dog arrives, the pack inside rushes the gate. Imagine being the incoming dog facing the barking mob!

Also, inside the park, rather than having a completely flat, open space, it would be great if there were hillocks and bushes - things for the dogs to run around - which would make the space seem larger and give you and your dog a way to disappear from dogs you don't want your dog to lock eyes with.

In general, I don't like dog parks for most dogs - I think they learn bad habits. Except for the large parks in which people, essentially, go for an offleash hike with their dogs.

[Rosebud]

.....
Also, inside the park, rather than having a completely flat, open space, it would be great if there were hillocks and bushes - things for the dogs to run around - which would make the space seem larger and give you and your dog a way to disappear from dogs you don't want your dog to lock eyes with.......

I know what you mean, that is what I loved about the dog park I took mine too, so many areas to let just the RR's play together.



Michelle

[wogster]

The local dog park that I frequent twice a week is just under 2 acres. It has 3 double-gated entrances, several auto-fill water fountains, dog showers, dog and human "mist" showers for cooling off, lots of trees and benches and wonderful shade trees. It isn't unusual to have 60-75 dogs there at one time on weekends.

The regulars bring balls, frisbees, etc. and leave there for all to share. The park also provides "poop bags" on rolls along with waste dispensers. The park is sprayed twice a week for fleas and ticks.

We also have a "time out" area if a dog becomes over-excited and needs time to calm down. There is also a special area fenced off for smaller breeds and puppies, although a lot of the people let their little ones run with the big boys.

We rarely have any problems. If a newbie shows up with an aggressive or ill-mannered dog, the others just ask them to leave. It doesn't take but a few minutes to get the idea across that their dog isn't welcome there.

We only have 2 rules that we enforce. Dogs must be wearing current rabies id and NO CHOKER COLLARS ALLOWED. We had 2 dogs die last year as a result of a choker chain being worn. A large breed dog wearing the chain died of suffocation when choked. The smaller dog whose jaw became caught in the choker sustained so much damage to his jaw, face and neck from being shaken and clawed at by the larger dog trying to dislodge him that he had to be put down. It was horrible and no one could do anything to stop it, so this is a good rule to follow ANYWHERE that your dog is off-leash and with other dogs.

Our park has been open for 5 years and sponsors many events, such as "Fun Zone", birthday parties, etc. It is about the most popular place in town to go on weekends. Even people that don't own dogs will come by just to visit.

A dog park is a wonderful thing to have in any town.

[Micah]

Oh - THere is a great bark park in AnnArbor - Privately owned by a woman who I beleive breeds goldens. she has each person who has a pass meet you and your dog(s) - this is a nice place to head out to! lots of walking paths -She owns a drop in dog grooming facility very nice w/ a creek and all the people I had encountered there were great - I am unpacking, but I've got the nakmme someplace - if you are interested - post a reply -

Thanks Melissa.  I have places to go with my dogs, I just think that it is wrong for Farmington Hills to ban dogs from all public parks, and not offer a place to take your dog.  Really, I would rather have dogs allowed on-leash in public parks than have the city put up a dog park, but I will take what I can get.  The city commissioned a company to advise them on the practicality of turning part of an existing park into a dog park and the report was that they needed at least 15 acres to make a dog park.  I personally think that is a load of dogcrap!  If the parking already exists, my opinion is that a successful dog park could be built in as little as 2 acres.

Micah

[melissap]

I have asked in my city as well, they too have their panties in a bunch about land and Novi had the same rules and regulations for dogs and dog owners. It is unfortunate, but seems to be a sign of the times. I am constantly seeking out good quick spots to stop and let brando enjoy a romp. The woman who owns the private bark park in ann arbor may still be a good person to connect with. She may very well have info on acerage necessary to establish it on a private level; which may assist in your case should you persue it further with your city council. Also, the one in wixom has I think 4 acres, but they only use two - three at a time and rotate the fields so the grass grows back - but if wixom can do it with less than 15 acres...FH should be able to as well?? - food for thought ...
good luck!

Melissa

[Keeper]

Looks like there are some really great ideas among these posts!  Cyclone fenced, double gated, water, shade and cleanup tools! 

In Auburn Hills there is a large County park with a Doggie park set aside.  I think there is about 15 acres, mostly mosquito infested! There are lots of woods, some bog area around the lake, various levels of terrain, and semi-groomed trails (gravel in the wet areas - chipped wood mulch in dry areas)  There is a drive-in fenced area for about 10 cars.  Normally that is more space than is necessary, as there are probably only 3 to 5 cars at any given time.  However, Saturday mornings seem to be the biggest drawing for the Doggie Park, and then I've seen cars parked on the side of the 55 mph 2 lane blacktop road.  This could be rather dangerous if people and dogs were entering and exiting on the road side. 

The whole doggie park has lots of pluses.  The minus' are mostly the owners and the dogs that don't play nice, or are totally uncontrolable.  I think that is pretty normal of most of the DPks.  It would be nice if all the people that used the parks would remember that just like humans, some dogs are bullies, some passive, and most are like Cindy Lauper.."Just Want To Have Fun!"

Great response everyone!  Maybe more cities and counties need to consult more owners before building the DPk!
Keeper

[Marie]

I was visiting a friend in Chicago recently and they have a 22 acre dog park that they belong to.  it is fantgastic.  several different terrains, a pond etc..... I would never go to a small local dog park to congested for me.  I also don't like dog parks in general  becouse not everyone is smart enough to know if their dogs should truly be in one.  I have heard to many stories of dogs injuring other dogs and people.  I prefer getting together with friennnnds and their dogs that I know and having doggie play dates.  THe one with the largest yard wins!

Marie

[k9crazyrr]

I would not take my dogs to a park that was only afew acres.  That is two small for alot of dogs that don't know eachother.  There are afew huge parks in Michigan that I hear are very nice.
Angie

[lmarcotty]

I love dog parks - they provide an opportunity for getting and keeping your dog socialized that simply isn't available for many people otherwise.  As long as people who use the park let those who bring poorly behaved or aggressive or bullying dogs that they are not welcome until the dog's behavior has been remedied, I believe you don't have the problem of dog packs or fighting - but the reasonable people do have to be firm and intervene in any bullying that starts.  Maybe make Jean Donaldson's Culture Clash and Fight! required reading for attendance at the park.

Regarding the Ann Arbor dog park: there is a website for it, http://annarbordog.com, and the park now has a pond and an agility run.  The woman who runs it owns and runs the Dog-O-Mat, where you can bring your dog and launder him/her yourself.  Check out the website - only one caveat, she does do a temperament test before allowing your dog to join.  I haven't been there yet, myself.

Louise-Annette