What is a Dog Park?
The Dog Park is located at Hawthorne Ridge Park
in Westland (Hines Drive, west of Merriman Road)
The ideal dog park is a designated, fenced-in area where people can bring their
dogs to play and run off-leash. A dog park can be a great place to share and distribute
information pertaining to dog care and training. For dog owners with limited mobility,
it can be a place to socialize with other dog owners and exercise their dogs.
Why have a dog park?
A report on off-leash dog parks by Portland Parks and Recreation
states that "There is a newly identified parks user group:
Dogs and their owners. This user group is drawn to parks for
open space, fresh air, exercise and socialization for themselves
and their pets. Coming to a park is their chosen form of recreation,
much the same as jogging or biking. They are legitimate park
users."
Community benefits:
- Socializes and exercises dogs in a safe environment
- Promotes
responsible pet ownership
- Provides elderly and disabled owners
with an accessible place to exercise their companions
- Enables dogs to legally run off-leash
- Promotes public health
and safety.
Provides a tool for realistic enforcement of dog control laws.
Typical dog park rules:
- Aggressive dogs are not allowed
- Owners are responsible for
cleaning up after their dogs
- Dogs should not be left unattended
- Dogs should be up-to-date
on vaccinations
- No food is allowed in the park
- Small children are not allowed
in the park
- Older children are allowed in the park with a
parent.
To see the complete list of dog rules and to obtain a copy of the Dog Park registration
form, please visit our
Dog Park Forms Page.
For further information on
Dog Parks
on our local communities please visit
detroitdogparks.com.
Wayne County Parks and Recreation
The Benefits are Endless!