Barks in the parks: A little slice of heaven on earth
Make no mistake: Dog lovers love their off-leash areas nearly as much as their dogs clearly do.
Bluffs along the Mississippi River provide a striking backdrop for visitors to the off-leash area at Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis. See a larger version of this photo.
“My dog Darby and I visit the Minnehaha Regional Park off-leash area almost every day that I'm not at work,” enthused Robert Coffman, St. Paul. “It’s good exercise for the two of us. It’s a pleasant way for me to get some fresh air, and Darby couldn't be happier!”
“My dog can’t get enough time here,” said another excited dog owner, on the run with his dog. “These ‘dog parks’ are a fabulous resource for dog owners right here in the cities.”
More and more people across the metro area share that sentiment, and the word is spreading about the lure of the many off-leash areas sprinkled across the region. Each one offers slight variations on a theme in terms of size, popularity, cost, distance and specific amenities – like waterfront, trails, fencing, set-asides for small dogs and more.
All the off-leash areas share these common attractions:
- Open space for plenty of doggie exercise
- Time and space for dogs to play and socialize with each other
- Opportunities for human interaction and exercise
- Year-around outdoor recreation, from sun-up to sundown
First off-leash area opened at Elm Creek Park Reserve
Robert Coffman, St. Paul, and his Springer Spaniel, Darby, romped along the high banks of the Mississippi River in the off-leash area at Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis. See a larger version of this photo.
So-called “dog parks” are a relatively new phenomenon. Since the first off-leash area opened in the region – in 1983, in Elm Creek Regional Park Reserve – more than two dozen additional off-leash areas have opened across the metro. Some are located within the Regional Parks System, some are owned by counties, and some by municipalities. All are popular and their use grows each year. Dog owners have their regional favorites.
“I really enjoy the off-leash areas, especially Otter Lake,” said Derek Lee, of St. Paul, whose canine friend is Moose, a large Chocolate Labrador. “It has a ton of room – woods, tall grassy areas and cattails – perfect for large, active dogs.”
“There's no comparing the level of exercise that a dog achieves running around the park or swimming in the Mississippi River versus taking a few turns around the block at the end of a leash,” Coffman said. “The water, the beach, and the ‘back hills’ make Minnehaha Falls a dog park without peer in the metro area.”
Rapid growth in popularity will continue
Numbers from Hennepin County reveal how popular off-leash areas have become.
Due to a significant investment in fencing and other improvements at the off-leash area in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Three Rivers Park District began requiring an annual permit for its off-leash area in 1992. That year, 71 passes were issued. By 2002, nearly 1,300 passes were issued. In 2008, the number was 3,222.
Visits to off-leash dog areas in the Three Rivers Park District have more than tripled in six years. Numbers for 2008 are not yet available.
“The off-leash areas are extremely popular, and dog owners tell us all the time how much they love using them,” said Beth Nash, public affairs coordinator for Three Rivers Park District. “We have six off-leash areas now totaling more than 180 acres. And we learned a little more as each new one came along. The newer ones are a little better, I think… for example more fencing, better placement of trees, and entrances that work a little better.”
Ramsey County got on board with its first off-leash area in 2000, and now has four off-leash areas comprising 36 acres, three in regional parks. Other off-leash sites in Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding suburbs also are adding both the number of sites and more acres to their facilities. More growth is expected.
Few problems, but overuse could become one
Fortunately, there are few problems associated with the off-leash areas in the regional parks. “We get a handful or two of complaints in a busy summer, and once in awhile there is one that requires follow-up,” Nash said. “For the thousands of dogs and dog owners coming through, it’s a remarkably peaceful and responsible group.”
Ramsey County Recreation Supervisor Cory Hinz, who oversees the county’s off-leash areas, pointed to a different kind of problem. “The downside of the off-leash areas in the Ramsey County Park System is that they are being used to the max.
Jeanne and Terry Cherner, Minneapolis, enjoy a walk at Minnehaha Regional Park with their Golden Retriever, Gates Brown. Gates is named for a famed 1960s-era pinch hitter for the Detroit Tigers, Terry’s hometown team. See a larger version of this photo.
“Ramsey County’s off-leash areas have now become destination points for dog owners throughout the metro,” Hinz said. “In earlier years, the majority of users were from local neighborhoods. Dog owners now are traveling from Rochester and Wisconsin to use the county’s off-leash areas.”
Despite the increasing demand, Hinz said there are no plans to build more off-leash areas in Ramsey County. It is, however, anticipating expanding the size of the dog site at Battle Creek Regional Park, which is the county’s oldest and largest off-leash site.
A few simple tips for dog owners will help maintain dog-park peace, even as off-leash areas continue to become more popular across the metro.
Helpful hints for off-leash dog owners:
- If required, buy an off-leash permit to support maintenance and other costs
- Clean up after your dog; it’s mandatory
- Keep your dog under control; use common courtesy
- Think twice whether your dog is ready for an off-leash experience
- Don’t bring food or dog toys into an off-leash area
- Be aware: young children are vulnerable to being knocked down by big dogs