Starting a Dog Park

Looking to start a dog park? Here are some tips:

Strength in numbers: Form a group with other dog owners.  Establish the group as a non-profit corporation to demonstrate your commitment.

Get help:  Don't reinvent the wheel.  Many other people have started a dog park in their city.  Get in touch with other groups for guidance and support.


Get informed:  Contact city officials and the local parks department for guidance on starting a park.

Site selection:  Identify potential locations, preferably sites that are not heavily used and that have parking nearby.  Your local parks department may be able to help you with this.

Education:  Work to educate dog owners and others in your area about the benefits of a dog park for both humans and dogs.  Hold community meetings to discuss the park  and answer questions.  Emphasize benefits such as an increased feeling of community, more exercise opportunities, fewer unleashed dogs in other parks, and a positive financial impact for local businesses near dog parks.  Dogs who are exercised regularly and socialized with people and other dogs are happier and often experience fewer behavioral problems.

Public Relations:  Good public relations keep the community on your side.  Organize events that demonstrate the group's commitment to responsible dog ownership.  These can be behavior and training workshops, adoption fairs, low-cost vaccine clinics, or educational events encouraging spaying and neutering.  Be a good neighbor now and you may fend off opposition later.


Play politics:  Get to know your city councilperson and other local government officials.  Find someone sympathetic to your cause in city government.

Plan:  A good plan considers the type of fencing and surfacing to be used, waste disposal, and how the park will be maintained.  Include a budget and plans for fundraising.  Determine whether the city will help with funds to build the park or if all funds will be acquired through private means.

Rules and Regulations:  Create rules for users of the dog park and have a plan to enforce them once the park is up and running.  Organize a dog park advisory board to address issues as they arise.  Find volunteers to monitor the park and advise visitors on the rules.

Stay involved:  Your work isn't over after the ground is broken.  Demonstrate your commitment to the park by keeping up on rule enforcement, cleanup, and maintenance.  Many cities initiate new dog parks with a trial period; use this time to prove your good intentions to the community.  Meet regularly with city leaders on management of the park.  Organize ongoing fundraising campaigns to keep the park running smoothly and to finance any new projects.