By ALISON DEEB
As founder and president of MARDOG in New Jersey, nothing interests me more than
what other cities and states are doing in terms of off-leash dog parks. Last year, I visited
three off-leash parks in the “Valley of the Sun” — the Washington Dog Park in Phoenix,
the Chaparral Park in Scottsdale and Quail Run Park in Mesa. These city dog parks are a
small sample of the 20 dog parks that encircle the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Washington Dog Park was the first established in the City of Phoenix by a grassroots
citizen effort. Now PETsMART sponsors the park, along with the PETsMART Dog Park at
Pecos Park. Both parks are part of a recreational complex that includes baseball fields
as well as tennis and volleyball courts. Phoenix currently has four dog parks and is
establishing another off-leash area at Steel Indian School Park.
Washington Park was packed with around 50 people and dogs altogether when we
arrived one chilly Saturday morning. It was by far the busiest facility in the entire
recreational complex. Both humans and canines were socializing and exercising.
One woman I spoke with was visiting the park for the first time accompanied by Molly, her
chocolate Labrador retriever puppy. A buddy taught her the ropes during her initial visit.
“We can try the small dog area first if you like,” as Molly quickly acclimated to the
surroundings and minutes later was happily running with the big dogs. Soon after, a
disabled man arrived at the small dog area on a motorized scooter tricked out with a
basket for his two Long Coat Chihuahuas.
Washington Park is well-equipped. An ample 2.65 -acres, all grass, Washington Park
has six-foot-high fencing, two double-gated entrances, a water fountain, disabled-
accessible sidewalks, two watering stations for dogs, benches, Mutt Mitt dispensers,
lights and garbage cans for dog waste. Large trees line the perimeter of the park,
providing much-needed shade as well as anoise buffer from the nearby school. A
separate fenced-in area accommodates pint-sized canines.
The temporary dog area at Chaparral Park in Scottsdale was surprisingly busy for a
weekday morning. Around 21 dogs and 15 people were having a great time roaming and
running without leashes. According to Tyler Wolf, the proud owner of Athena, an eight-
month old Lab mix, “There are no access requirements and no fees as long as canine
owners abide by the rules. In the months I’ve been coming here, dogs that act
aggressively or misbehave just aren’t invited back.”
Cindy and her black Great Dane use the park daily, but she leaves her Bernese Mountain
Dog at home. “She’s older and doesn’t like the park,” Cindy states matter-of-factly.
Located in downtown Scottsdale within walking distance from restaurants, day spas and
a Safeway market, the Chaparral Park has plans for three separate off-leash areas with
two entry points and parking facilities that include 203 spaces. Each of the parks will be
over an acre, the largest 1.7 acres. The blueprint hangs on the kiosk outside the park,
along with pictures of homeless pets in need of adoption. A temporary off-leash area
was created in 2003 to accommodate dog owners during park renovations. The new off-
leash area, a total of 4.2 acres, was scheduled for completion in late 2006. Plans include
a passive off-leash area for people and pets who prefer a quieter, less active experience.
The Quail Run Dog Park in Mesa is another large facility. This park’s construction was
covered by voter-approved bonds. Closed on Thursdays, its grassy surface is maintained
weekly to preserve its beauty. Quail Run has many amenities, including restrooms,
drinking water, an area for small and timid dogs, and a separate area for larger canines.
Children are accommodated, as the dog park is adjacent to a Tot Lot playground.
One key to Arizona’s success is its elected officials. The Mayor of Scottsdale, Mary
Manross, is a passionate animal lover, and Maricopa County’s Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, is
known for his tough stance on animal abuse and cruelty. Sheriff Arpaio operates the
Animal Cruelty Enforcement posse and the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control
facility, a no-kill animal shelter.
Previously a jail, the shelter is now a paradise for recovering four-legged victims.
“Apparently, the Sheriff is more concerned with animal welfare than fugitives and
inmates,” remarked one Arizona resident who preferred to remain anonymous.
The City of Scottsdale has four off-leash areas, and is planning another dog park twelve
miles north of Chaparral Park. The Grayhawk Community recreational center, a 56-acre
facility, includes an off-leash area as part of its Master Plan. Still in the blueprint phase,
the Grayhawk Community has plans for a lighted off-leash dog park that will allow
residents and their dogs to socialize and exercise well after nightfall. Parks and
Recreation Director, Judy Weiss, is the Project Director. At a planning meeting, Weiss
stated that “the off-leash area will be operated as a public facility open to everyone, and
has been an integral part of the planning phase” dating back to 1998.
“We illuminate anything we can, and the minimum standard for any off-leash area is two
acres.”
Signage at each of the three parks is prominent, clear and thorough, spelling out
guidelines for both humans and canines. At Chaparral, signs are posted at the entrance,
reminding patrons to “pick up their dogs’ droppings” and “be on their best behavior.” The
Parks and Recreation Department even publishes a “Behavioral Policy” on the double-
gate entrance, advocating “kindness, consideration and courteous behavior,” and
requesting that users “treat every park patron and staff member with respect.” The sign
details and defines unacceptable behaviors such as “verbal abuse, intimidation,
interruptions, solicitation, profanity, threats and harassment.”
Trying to curb my excitement, I blurted out to one resident, “Do you know how lucky you
are to have a whole network of free dog parks? Other towns struggle to get just one park
—- and some don’t even have that!”
Janice, the owner of Brownie, a 10-month old Boxer pup replied, “I know. I can’t imagine
life without a dog park, but I do wish it was closer to my home and within walking
distance.”
That’s human nature, I guess — the grass could always be greener. Our dogs are
thrilled just to be off leash with their buddies.
Alison A. Deeb is President and Founder of MARDOG, Inc. a non-profit dog park
organization in Morris County, New Jersey. Together with the park commission,
MARDOG created the first county-run park in Morris Township. MARDOG’s vision is to
create a network of public off-leash dog parks throughout Morris County and the U.S.
For information, visit mardog.org or call (973) 290-9338.
As founder and president of MARDOG in New Jersey, nothing interests me more than
what other cities and states are doing in terms of off-leash dog parks. Last year, I visited
three off-leash parks in the “Valley of the Sun” — the Washington Dog Park in Phoenix,
the Chaparral Park in Scottsdale and Quail Run Park in Mesa. These city dog parks are a
small sample of the 20 dog parks that encircle the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Washington Dog Park was the first established in the City of Phoenix by a grassroots
citizen effort. Now PETsMART sponsors the park, along with the PETsMART Dog Park at
Pecos Park. Both parks are part of a recreational complex that includes baseball fields
as well as tennis and volleyball courts. Phoenix currently has four dog parks and is
establishing another off-leash area at Steel Indian School Park.
Washington Park was packed with around 50 people and dogs altogether when we
arrived one chilly Saturday morning. It was by far the busiest facility in the entire
recreational complex. Both humans and canines were socializing and exercising.
One woman I spoke with was visiting the park for the first time accompanied by Molly, her
chocolate Labrador retriever puppy. A buddy taught her the ropes during her initial visit.
“We can try the small dog area first if you like,” as Molly quickly acclimated to the
surroundings and minutes later was happily running with the big dogs. Soon after, a
disabled man arrived at the small dog area on a motorized scooter tricked out with a
basket for his two Long Coat Chihuahuas.
Washington Park is well-equipped. An ample 2.65 -acres, all grass, Washington Park
has six-foot-high fencing, two double-gated entrances, a water fountain, disabled-
accessible sidewalks, two watering stations for dogs, benches, Mutt Mitt dispensers,
lights and garbage cans for dog waste. Large trees line the perimeter of the park,
providing much-needed shade as well as anoise buffer from the nearby school. A
separate fenced-in area accommodates pint-sized canines.
The temporary dog area at Chaparral Park in Scottsdale was surprisingly busy for a
weekday morning. Around 21 dogs and 15 people were having a great time roaming and
running without leashes. According to Tyler Wolf, the proud owner of Athena, an eight-
month old Lab mix, “There are no access requirements and no fees as long as canine
owners abide by the rules. In the months I’ve been coming here, dogs that act
aggressively or misbehave just aren’t invited back.”
Cindy and her black Great Dane use the park daily, but she leaves her Bernese Mountain
Dog at home. “She’s older and doesn’t like the park,” Cindy states matter-of-factly.
Located in downtown Scottsdale within walking distance from restaurants, day spas and
a Safeway market, the Chaparral Park has plans for three separate off-leash areas with
two entry points and parking facilities that include 203 spaces. Each of the parks will be
over an acre, the largest 1.7 acres. The blueprint hangs on the kiosk outside the park,
along with pictures of homeless pets in need of adoption. A temporary off-leash area
was created in 2003 to accommodate dog owners during park renovations. The new off-
leash area, a total of 4.2 acres, was scheduled for completion in late 2006. Plans include
a passive off-leash area for people and pets who prefer a quieter, less active experience.
The Quail Run Dog Park in Mesa is another large facility. This park’s construction was
covered by voter-approved bonds. Closed on Thursdays, its grassy surface is maintained
weekly to preserve its beauty. Quail Run has many amenities, including restrooms,
drinking water, an area for small and timid dogs, and a separate area for larger canines.
Children are accommodated, as the dog park is adjacent to a Tot Lot playground.
One key to Arizona’s success is its elected officials. The Mayor of Scottsdale, Mary
Manross, is a passionate animal lover, and Maricopa County’s Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, is
known for his tough stance on animal abuse and cruelty. Sheriff Arpaio operates the
Animal Cruelty Enforcement posse and the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control
facility, a no-kill animal shelter.
Previously a jail, the shelter is now a paradise for recovering four-legged victims.
“Apparently, the Sheriff is more concerned with animal welfare than fugitives and
inmates,” remarked one Arizona resident who preferred to remain anonymous.
The City of Scottsdale has four off-leash areas, and is planning another dog park twelve
miles north of Chaparral Park. The Grayhawk Community recreational center, a 56-acre
facility, includes an off-leash area as part of its Master Plan. Still in the blueprint phase,
the Grayhawk Community has plans for a lighted off-leash dog park that will allow
residents and their dogs to socialize and exercise well after nightfall. Parks and
Recreation Director, Judy Weiss, is the Project Director. At a planning meeting, Weiss
stated that “the off-leash area will be operated as a public facility open to everyone, and
has been an integral part of the planning phase” dating back to 1998.
“We illuminate anything we can, and the minimum standard for any off-leash area is two
acres.”
Signage at each of the three parks is prominent, clear and thorough, spelling out
guidelines for both humans and canines. At Chaparral, signs are posted at the entrance,
reminding patrons to “pick up their dogs’ droppings” and “be on their best behavior.” The
Parks and Recreation Department even publishes a “Behavioral Policy” on the double-
gate entrance, advocating “kindness, consideration and courteous behavior,” and
requesting that users “treat every park patron and staff member with respect.” The sign
details and defines unacceptable behaviors such as “verbal abuse, intimidation,
interruptions, solicitation, profanity, threats and harassment.”
Trying to curb my excitement, I blurted out to one resident, “Do you know how lucky you
are to have a whole network of free dog parks? Other towns struggle to get just one park
—- and some don’t even have that!”
Janice, the owner of Brownie, a 10-month old Boxer pup replied, “I know. I can’t imagine
life without a dog park, but I do wish it was closer to my home and within walking
distance.”
That’s human nature, I guess — the grass could always be greener. Our dogs are
thrilled just to be off leash with their buddies.
Alison A. Deeb is President and Founder of MARDOG, Inc. a non-profit dog park
organization in Morris County, New Jersey. Together with the park commission,
MARDOG created the first county-run park in Morris Township. MARDOG’s vision is to
create a network of public off-leash dog parks throughout Morris County and the U.S.
For information, visit mardog.org or call (973) 290-9338.
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