Dog Park Feasibility Study
Dog Park Feasibility Study
In Lynchburg Virgina a feasibility study was performed. Through their research
conducted through www.dogpark.com as well as Association of Pet Dog Trainers
(www.apdt.com) a successful dog park should include the following features:
“Minimum Environmental ImpactOff leash dog parks should be sited in a way that
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minimizes impact on environmentally sensitive areas such as streams, slopes,
wetlands or areas with high wildlife habitat value.
Size- While in some cities such as San Francisco manage dog parks as small as ¼ an
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acre, other jurisdictions operate large 40 acre tracts. However, many mid-sized cities
have been successful with one- acre off leash spaces which tend to reduce
overcrowding.
Noise- It is recommended that off-leash parks be located at least 150 feet from the
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nearest residence or other land use where dog noise could create conflicts. When
siting dog parks, site conditions should be considered as hills, vegetation, and other
features that help to buffer sound.
Double-Gated Entrance- In order to prevent other dogs from escaping when entering
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or exiting, a double-gated entrance must be installed.
Water and Shade- A dual water fountain for dogs and their owners should be provided,
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well as trees and landscaping for shade. While natural visual barriers within the park
helps dogs hide from other dogs as well as a way of avoiding problems or
confrontations, these barriers should meet the spirit of Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
Adequate Drainage- The site should drain adequately, and be free of stagnant ponds
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or wetland areas. While many dog parks are located in flood zones, parks should not
be sited in areas where excessive annual flooding occurs.
Parking- Sites that currently have adequate available parking are preferable, so that
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expensive parking and road frontage improvements will not be incurred.
Minimal Spill Over- A common problem seems to be people not leashing their dogs for
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the walk from the car to the off-leash area. An ideal site would be located in an area
where the potential for user-conflicts is reduced (not adjacent to a playground or
environmentally sensitive area for instance.
Routine Mowing and Regular Maintenance- The site should be routinely mowed and all
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ground surfaces, fencing, and equipment/amenities routinely repaired and maintained.
Covered Garbage Cans with Regular Trash Removal- Covered garbage cans should
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be provided and emptied/cleaned on a routine basis.
Pet Clean-Up Stations- A standard pet waste station must be provided and routinely
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serviced.
Benches- Powder-coated steel benches, requiring little maintenance should be
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provided. While these benches have a high up front cost, life expectancy and reduced
maintenance costs make them a park standard.
Wheelchair and ADA Accessibility- Sites with existing ADA accessible parking and
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pedestrian routes is preferred.
Safe Location, Not Isolated- The site should be in a safe, well-lit location that is not
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considered isolated or dangerous by the public.
No Harmful Foliage- The site should not contain foliage such as poison ivy that can be
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harmful or poisonous to canines or humans.
Clearly Posted and Enforced Dog Park Rules and Regulations- A park entrance sign
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with hours of operation and regulatory sign with dog park rules must be clearly posted.”
(http://lynchburgdogpark.com/documents/dogparkfeasibilitystudy.pdf)