Designing a dog park that’s ideal for both small and large pups is a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and thought. The purpose of a dog park is to provide a safe, fun and stimulating environment for dogs to exercise, socialize and play. Many elements must come together to create this atmosphere.
If you’re in charge of planning a dog park for the pups in your community, here are some design tips you’ll want to follow.
Choose a Suitable Location
The first step in designing a dog park is to choose a suitable location. The park should be easily accessible and visible from the street, with plenty of parking nearby. It should also be in a safe and secure location, away from busy roads and other hazards.
Ideally, the dog park should be located near residential areas where dog owners are most likely to live. This way, they can easily utilize the park at their convenience without having to go out of their way.
Plan the Layout
Once you have chosen a location for your dog park, it’s time to plan the layout. The park should be divided into different areas, such as an area for large dogs and an area for small dogs. By separating the two spaces, you can choose the ideal equipment for small and large dogs.
Additionally, your dog park should feature an area for training and agility equipment. It should also have a separate entrance and exit gates to prevent dogs from escaping. Lastly, the park should offer plenty of seating and shade for dog owners to relax while their pups run around and play.
Pick Appropriate Fencing
No dog park is complete without the proper fencing. The fence should be high enough to prevent dogs from jumping over it and escaping. While small dogs might not have a chance, big dogs certainly will. Also make sure you choose a fence that is strong enough to withstand the weight of large dogs leaning against it.
Metal is a popular choice for dog park fencing because it’s durable, easy to maintain and holds up well to inclement weather and wear and tear. This could be aluminum, wrought iron, chain link or something else. Wood fences are more prone to damage, and vinyl doesn’t offer the same visibility.
Provide Water and Waste Stations
When pups play at the dog park, they typically need to drink water and go potty. That’s why clean water and waste stations are critical parts of any dog park. The best way to provide access to fresh, clean water is by installing pet water fountains or water stations.
Additionally, you’ll need waste stations to keep your dog park clean and safe. The waste stations should include bags and trash cans to encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets. They typically have signage to promote this as well.
Add Fun Features
To make the dog park more fun and stimulating for dogs of all sizes, add fun features like tunnels, hoops and jumps. Stick to features that are safe and easy to maintain. Cunningham Recreation offers individual pieces or complete dog parks, making it easy to customize your park as you see fit.
Some of our most popular pieces include:
- Doggie crawls
- Dog hoop jumps
- Paws tables
- Stepping paws
- Teeter totters
- Dog jump overs
Get Community Input
Finally, gather input from the community before finalizing your design. Talk to local dog owners and ask for their recommendations on what they would like to see in the park. You can do this by holding public meetings, issuing surveys or posting polls on a Facebook community page. This information will help you build a dog park that meets the needs of the community.
Designing a dog park can be a fun and rewarding experience. By choosing a suitable location, planning the layout and adding fun features, you can create a safe and stimulating environment for dogs of all sizes. Contact Cunningham Recreation to learn more about our dog park equipment and agility course products.
