Puppy-friendly parks: communities nationwide are putting paws before feet with the advent of dog parks

Parks & Recreation, Dec, 2003 by Maya Avrasin

While the city provides the majority of the start-up costs and maintenance fees, there are groups that oversee the policing and daily upkeep of the parks. "Each site has its own informal group of people that 'patrol' the park," says Drummond. "These are self-governing groups who make sure that everyone who rises the park follows the rules."

The success of the program has prompted San Diego to start updating dog parks to make them Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible, with walkways fountains and benches. These improvements will cost about $10,000 per park Drummond says. But the money does not completely come out of the annual operating budget of the parks department--volunteers have started fund-raising efforts to help off-set the added costs.

Going to the Dogs

While some communities opt out of the mere suggestion of grass surfaces, there are ways around the turf dilemma. There is grass that is urine-resistant and hardy enough to withstand even the roughest foot and paw abuse.

According to Texas A&M University's agricultural research department, the most urine-resistant grasses tend to be Perennial Ryegrasses and Fescues. The worst urine-resistant grasses tend to be Kentucky Bluegrass and Bermuda.

Anne Arundel County, in Maryland, found a Kennel mix grass that resists absorption of urine, says Tom Donlin, parks administrator for Anne Arundel Parks Department. The county recently opened its fourth clog park within the last two years. All the dog areas have grass and pockets of dirt, which Donlin says is perfectly okay for.

"Dogs love dirt. Who are we putting the surface in for--the dogs or the humans?" Donlin asks.

According to the dogpark.com Web site, which has a comprehensive list of dog parks nationwide, there are almost 700 dog parks in the country. And with the numbers growing annually, it is evident that dog parks will start to face region-specific standards. While some communities are beginning research on their first dog park, others are facing the challenge of updating their parks to reflect the change in trends and to adopt new products that have entered the market.

Whether the dog parks have grassy terrain or sandblasted pebbles, dogs have definitely found their place in the sun.

Surface Solutions

Depending on the surface, dog parks can cost a department between dozens and thousands of dollars, depending on how much infrastructure needs to be built, and what type of terrain the dog park is using.

On average, the initial construction of a dog park can cost between $5,000 and $85,000, depending on how complex the model.

The definition of a dog park can be anything from a fenced-in plot of grass to a multi-acre, multi-bay system with partitions for small and large dogs, doggie fountains and other amenities.

Surface Type           Cost                        Ideal terrain

Grass                  Varies depending on type;   Can adapt to any
                       based on retail prices,     terrain, but an
                       grass costs range from      irrigation system
                       $380-$500 per acre.         is highly desirable
                                                   to maintain
                                                   seedlings.

Stone Dust             $6-$7 per ton; two-acre     Flat surface,
(decomposed granite)   park requires 1,5000        otherwise the
                       tons.                       pebbles scatter.
                                                   Also make sure
                                                   proper drainage is
                                                   installed, otherwise
                                                   pebbles will clog
                                                   drains and cause
                                                   flooding.

Mulch                  Usually free unless it is   Works best on hilly
                       commercial mulch; then it   surfaces.
                       is $20/cubic yard.

Wood Chips             Usually free.               Works best on hilly
                                                   surfaces.