Dog parks benefit people, their dogs and the community in a variety of ways. A good outing at a dog park strengthens the bonds between the pet and the owner while encouraging connections to other people with similar interests in dogs! Dogs that exercise and socialize together make for healthier canine companions when they are outside the dog park too.

Membership for dog parks is a widely accepted model. Only registered dogs with valid licenses are permitted to use the off-leash dog area. Registering licensed dogs requires proof of rabies vaccination, plus a complete understanding of the park rules and expectations.

The Department of Parks and Recreation and its’ Parks and Recreation Citizens’ Advisory Committee developed this project with the intention of having a modest membership fee. Paying a fee will help fund park operations and eliminate objections from some residents who believe that a dog park should not be supported fully by taxpayer dollars. When developing our fee structure, we researched membership fees associated with dog parks in neighboring towns and counties. We found fees to range in the area of $25 - $60. Most Department recreation programs and recreation facility uses have user fees.

Just one incident at a dog park can generate concerns from dog park users or generate negative publicity – especially when most visit the park expecting all dog owners to be responsible pet owners. Happy, well socialized and well exercised dogs tend not to bark as much when they play…they may chase, sniff or wrestle but they rarely bark as a method of communication.

Vaccinating your dog for rabies is the law. The Town requires proof of this vaccination for a dog license and dog park registration. To decrease the chance for spreading disease, we recommend discussing other core vaccinations with your veterinarian such as Bordetella (kennel cough), DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo), Leptospirosis and Canine Influenza plus flea, tick, heartworm prevention medication and annual fecal testing. Some intestinal parasites can easily get in the environment and spread from dog to dog as well as have human potential.

There are numerous playing styles for dogs, but the fun and excitement can easily deteriorate if you are not paying attention to your dogs behavior or possible shifts in their behavior. Please keep a close eye on your pet at all times! We can’t stress this enough. Many dogs like to wrestle, mouth one another, growl, and chase. Actions which are inappropriate include more than one dog bullying another dog (cornering or crowding one dog as a pack), chasing without letting the chased dog rest and forceful body slamming or knock another dog over. While some dog owners want their dog (and yours) to “work it out,” others are more protective. Dog owners need to respectfully “work it out” if their dogs aren’t compatible. A growl or nip from one dog to another can easily escalate. If your dog is being a bully or being bullied, please remove your dog from the situation and take a break, go to another part of the dog park or leave.