Fairfax County seeks public feedback on dog parks

Fun times at the Mason District Dog Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking public comment on the draft report of its Dog Park Study. 

The study, initiated in 2019, recommends strategies for long-term planning, development, and management of dog parks. 

The public is invited to a virtual meeting on March 23, 7 p.m., to hear a presentation on the study and provide feedback. Comments can also be submitted online or via email to [email protected]. 

Fairfax County has 11 dog parks owned or operated by the Park Authority, including the Mason District Dog Park, constructed in 2002 at Mason District Park.  

The master plan for Bren Mar Park in Mason District proposes a dog park, but there are no plans for constructing it. 

Some of the key recommendations in the study include the following: 

• At least one new dog park should be created by 2025.
• The Park Authority should carry out an inventory of existing privately owned and publicly accessible dog parks and prioritize this effort in the Bailey’s (Bailey’s Crossroads) and Jefferson (Seven Corners and Falls Church) planning districts. Neither of those districts currently has a Park Authority-run dog park.
• Fairfax County should consolidate all information related to dog parks, dog classes, and dog-related events hosted by the Park Authority; dog park volunteer information; donation opportunities; and dog-owner requirements (such as vaccinations and rabies clinics) into a single webpage.
• New dog parks should have separate areas for large and small dogs. 
• Maintenance needs to be improved.
• The Park Authority should encourage the formation of dog park volunteer teams.
• The county should consider using a portion of revenues from dog licensing fees to support dog parks. 
• Rules don’t need to be changed but do need to be better enforced.