Park Authority Board endorses dog park report

Mason District Dog Park

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board endorsed the Dog Park Study report, which will serve as a guide for the planning and maintenance of future dog parks.

The study is based in part on a survey of dog park visitors, as well as research, policy analysis, and identification of best practices. It will be published in September. 

Some of the study’s findings include the following:

• Survey respondents indicated the most important features in a dog park are room for dogs to run, trash receptacles, shade, water, and parking.
• Respondents’ top concerns are surface conditions, inattentive visitors, and lack of water.
• The study recommends the Park Authority construct at least one new dog park and consider the list of planned but unbuilt dog parks as potential locations.
• More than 700 survey respondents expressed an interest in learning about volunteer opportunities in Park Authority dog parks.
• The study doesn’t recommend any changes to existing rules and hours but says there is a need for stronger enforcement, which can be supported by volunteers.