Some of the common traits of the best dog parks in America

Dog playground equipment, trails, ponds and dedicated volunteers can transform a mediocre dog park into a great one.

One thing is for sure - more and more cities are adding dog parks.

According to the National Recreation and Park Association, more than half of parks departments in the US now manage dog parks.

There are quite a few more dog owners today than ever before. According to the American Pet Products Association, more than 60% of households in the US own a dog.

Those dogs were not created to sleep on the floor all day. They need to get outside and run, jump and play. According to petMD, dogs need from 30 minutes to two hours of exercise EVERY day.

So, how do you make your dog park a success like some of the most popular dog parks in America?

There are several Best Dog Park lists floating around the web. We researched a few of them and came up with our list of some of the top characteristics of an awesome dog park.

We are talking about more than just a patch of dirt, double-entry gates and big and small dog areas. These are some of the items that make a dog park a fun place for owners and pets to hang out.

 

1. Something to do: An open space for dogs to run and play is great, but like any other creature, at some point they are going to get bored. If an owner brings a ball or toy, guess what? Every other dog in the park will want to play with that toy as well. For this reason, more dog parks are adding agility and other pieces of dog park equipment. Hoops, ramps, tunnels, hurdles and other agility products can create a super-fun playground for dogs. Not only will Fido and Fifi get exercise, but the dog park equipment gives owners an opportunity to interact with their dogs and teach them commands. Believe us, there's nothing better than to see a happy dog wagging its tail after showing its owner how it was able to jump through that hoop or over that hurdle. Be sure to include equipment with different levels for different size dogs.

 

2. Plenty of open space: because the construction of dog parks is still a relatively new phenomenon, many places provide spaces that tend to be a little limited for the average dog that wants to run and jump. As you know, some bigger dogs can cover quite a bit of ground. It is understandable. Parks departments might not have an idea on the amount of use they will encounter. But from what we've seen, dog parks continue to grow in size. For example, the Marymoor Park in King County, Washington, considered one of the best dog parks in the country, has 40 acres of open grassland and trails where off-leash dogs can run and roam. In other parts of the country, several dog parks are located on beaches, so dogs can run and splash as well.

 

3. Somewhere to socialize: when a dog enters the park, many take off like a rocket, enjoying all that open space. But the owners, not so much. So it's smart to have several park benches in the area so that owners can relax and socialize. After all, one of the benefits of owning a dog is meeting other people. Dogs are great conversation starters.

 

4. Signs that clearly spell out ALL the rules: while dogs are simple creatures, putting them all together in one place does create a myriad of issues. That's why it super-important to have plenty of signage with an extensive list of rules. There is quite a bit to cover: vaccinations, voice control over pets, removal of aggressive dogs, disposing of poop, banning dogs in heat, repairing holes dug by dogs, prohibiting food or drink and other requirements.

Many large dog parks feature off-leash trails for exploring

5. Plenty to drink: think it's hot out there? Try running around with a pack of dogs or tromping through a dog agility course. While dogs love the exercise, they are going to work up a thirst. So will the owners. That's why it's a necessity to add plenty of doggy drinking fountains, for both dogs and humans to keep adequately hydrated.

 

6. Places to cool off: same goes for shade. Make sure there are plenty of shade trees or shade structures where dogs can cool off and people can stay out of the sun. The Congressman Bill Archer Bark Park in Houston gets our wag of the tail for their giant bone-shaped ponds. They lead this list of nine top dog parks.

 

7. Dedication to cleanliness: when people complain about a dog park on Trip Advisor, Yelp or other forums, one of the more frequent complaints will center on excessive dog poop. One of the best ways to ensure people pick up after their dogs is to provide an over-abundance of dog waste receptacles with dispensers always filled with bags. Make the dog poop rule very clear on signs. Also, there will be some people who won't pick up after their dogs. But if you have a few dedicated volunteers with handy pooper scoopers, they can keep the area clean and sanitary for all to use.

 

8. A group that cares: which brings us to this factor - the importance of a group of residents who care and volunteer to make sure their dog park is a successful one. Most parks and recreation departments are very busy and their staff is always stretched to the limit with all that acreage and activities they manage. While it would be nice to have park personnel spend more time at a dog park on a regular basis, they frequently get sidetracked repairing damage caused by vandals or preparing for the next big event. If a group of local citizens can organize and stay in touch on social sites such as Facebook, together they can keep that dog park in great condition.

 

9.  Fun activities: one sign of a vibrant dog park is creating activities that foster comradery between dog owners (and can also raise funds to pay for dog park amenities). You see dog parks conducting "Yappy Hours," "Barktoberfests" and "Dog Day Afternoons" as popular social events. Schedule a few in your town. Get sponsors from vets and pet supply stores. Invite dog groomers.

 

10. Clever park names: this one is not a necessity but choosing a clever name does help raise awareness about a dog park. The more awareness, the more people will bring their pets which may result in more or bigger dog parks. Our top pick right now is the "Fort Woof" dog park in Fort Worth, TX, which is featured on this list of top dog parks.

Plenty of families in America have a dog in their home. But that dog was built to run, jump and play outside. Create a fun, clean, big space with plenty of dog playground equipment, trails, benches, dog waste bags and ponds to help owners exercise their dogs and enjoy fresh air and sunshine for themselves as well.

Experts at petMD recommend dogs spend a minimum of 30 minutes engaged in an activity every day