What is a Dog Park?
Dog parks are gated parks dedicated to dogs so they can run leash free and socialize with other dogs. Some commong features include: - Double gated entry to keep dogs safe.
- Shade and water.
- Grass area.
- Covered garbage cans with regular trash removal.
- Pooper scooper stations.
- Benches.
- Wheel chair access.
- Safe location, not isolated.
- Regular maintenance.
- Starting a Dog Park
There are many benefits to having a dogpark in your town. Dog owners know this, and can move the park development process along by helping others in the community understand the need. Each community has its own rules for public facility use, so the first place to start is by doing some homework - is anyone else in your town developing a dogpark? Can your local parks and recreation department offer any help? Since many dogparks are located in city parks, this is an excellent place to begin. Well-informed people with well-behaved dogs can make a positive and powerful impact on their neighborhoods. Why Start a Dog Park? - Community Benefits
- Socializes and exercised dogs in a safe environment.
- Promotes responsible pet ownership.
Provides elderly and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions. - Enables dogs to legally run off-leash.
- Promotes public health and safety.
- Provides a tool for realistic enforcement of dog control laws.
The ideal Dog Park is design includes: - Concern for the environment.
- One acre or more surrounded by a 4’ to 6’ fence.
- Things to Consider Before Developing a Dogpark
- Appropriate site selection.
- Noise.
Maintenance and health concerns. - City support.
- Traffic.
- Supervision of park.
What's a Dog Park Group? - Raise funds for amenities.
- Monitor use.
- Clean-up park.
Dogpark Etiquette
Once you and your dog get to the dogpark, it’s tempting to just stand back and watch all the activity. But everybody will have a much more rewarding time if you observe some basic rules. Dogparks aren’t a right, they’re a privilege. - please don’t let bad behavior ruin things for everyone else. - Always keep your eye on your dog. Mischief can happen quickly.
- Never leave your dog unattended.
- Always clean up after your dog. Most parks have poopbags or scoopers, so use them. This is a primary reason that dogparks get complaints, so pay attention and pick up the poop.
- Make sure your dog is current on her shots and has a valid license.
- Don’t bring dogs younger than 4 months to a dogpark. They won’t have had all the necessary inoculations that allow them to play safely with other animals.
- Don’t bring a female dog in season. Spayed/neutered animals are recommended.
- Don’t bring more than three dogs. It subjects parks to overuse, and if they’re not your dogs, you may not have full control over them.
- Keep your dog on-leash until you get to the off-leash area. This is not just respectful to other park users, it’s much safer for your dog.
- If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, leash him and leave immediately.
- If you must bring children to a dogpark, supervise them closely.
- Don’t smoke or eat while at the dogpark. Cigarette butts and food wrappers are tempting treats to dogs, but bad for them.
- Always observe all of the rules posted at your local dogpark. Each town has its own set of regulations, so please follow them.
|
