Dog parks are by far one of most important “must-have” item of any dog owner’s list for their community!  Dog parks are great additions for both dogs and citizens!   If you’re shopping for dog park products to add to an existing city park, or want to build a brand new, stand-alone park for your canine friends, Noah’s Park and Playgrounds is the national supplier of high-end dog park agility equipment and other products for your pooch. 

In the U.S. alone, 37% of all households own a dog, and civic leaders are realizing the demand is increasing, and are beginning to see the need to designate areas for pets to play.

People who are thinking about building a dog park should be aware it is not just about that perfect piece of land, or the type of fence needed, or the welcome sign at the entrance gate. It is about research! Research your community and see what pet owners want in a community dog park. 

Some questions might be:

• Do they want obstacles? What king of obstacles? How many obstacles?
• Does your community have bigger dogs or smaller dogs?  Will the equipment accommodate both sizes?
• Do they prefer fountains for just the dogs, or for the dog owner and the dog together? 
• Does your community’s dog owners prefer to play with their furry friends or sit and relax while their dog enjoys playing with others?

Do your research! A community survey at local pet stores, vet offices, pet groomers or boutiques can pin-point the direction to take for your new dog park. And asking the pet owners ensures they are happy too!

Something else to think about is the size and location of the dog park. It’s recommended dog park sizes are to be a minimum of one acre. At least one-acre will give man’s best friend plenty of room to run, while not being so large you lose sight of your pet.  Also think about high traffic areas for the dog park. It would not be a great idea to place the dog park, or park entrance, right next to a busy road or highway. All pet owners know pets can break free from  leashes every now and then, and we all know how devastating that can be, especially next to a high traffic road!

Municipal dog parks are usually free and open to the public 24/7. Although most have posted rules, there is no one to make sure people abide by those rules. To have a safe park, you must have rules and make sure they are adhered to – so make sure you have a rules and welcome sign for your dog park. There are dog owners who are experts on the rules and regulations, but the newbie dog-parent of a furry, bouncy puppy might not be as aware of proper dog park rules. So help them with proper signage placed near the entrance.

Another thought would be to consider yourself when it comes to your dog park designs!  Dogs don’t walk themselves to the park, so make sure you design places to sit and rest while your pet plays. Be certain to leave room in your budget for taking care of all your pet owners with picnic tables, benches, trash cans, drinking fountains, leash posts and more. 

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!! There is nothing better than seeing pets and pet owners having a blast together in one community park.

Noah’s Park and Playgrounds provides great dog park agility equipment and park furniture for your dog parks from the top quality manufacturer, BarkPark­™. Check out our great prices and call us at (877) 248-5444 or email us to learn more about our dog park products and install services!