Off-leash recreation offers exercise for people and their dogs… a chance to be out in nature, to meet with others and to create a community. Dog parks can encourage responsible pet ownership by spreading the word on courtesy, clean-up and control. Legal off-leash areas can reduce illegal off-leash use, making it easier to enforce leash laws in other areas of our community.

Many of our senior and disabled citizens who depend on their dogs for companionship and protection are not always physically able to walk their dogs on leash.

Dog owners can exercise their dogs in a safe environment. We know that dogs that are not exercised often become aggressive, destructive, and a barking nuisance in our neighborhoods. These dogs are often abandoned at shelters or worse, along the roadside.

A dog park can attract visitors to our community and business district who often plan “pet stops” based on available dog-friendly services.

Dog parks can be the site for dog shows, agility trials, vaccination or micro-chipping clinics, dog obedience classes, and dog club gatherings.

 

 

Dog parks benefit our communities in many ways