The temporary Downtown Dog Park at 210 Market Ave aspires to test a new lifestyle amenity for the growing number of Downtown residents.
Market research reveals more than 5,000 households in and around Downtown own at least one dog. But there's only two public off-leash dog parks in the entire City, and neither are conveniently walk-able for Downtown residents.
This pop up park is temporary because it's located on private property that could emerge as an attractive redevelopment site as Downtown grows.
In the meantime, however, the property owner - the fun and community-minded folks at Maplegrove Property Management - have agreed to partner with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) to test and serve the demand for a dog park in Downtown.
Dog parks are a unique way to help build community by providing a hub for pets and their owners to gather. They also help increase foot traffic and sidewalk activity and advance on the community goal of steadily cultivating an increasingly vibrant and welcoming Downtown - for dogs too!
Follow the Downtown Dog Park on Facebook to stay up-to-date on park conditions and connect with the community.
Code of Conduct
The park is free and open to the public year-round. Hours of operation are 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily.
Humans can help keep the park clean and fun for everybody by following these basic rules:
- Always clean up after your dog.
- Dogs must have current vaccinations and proper tags including ID info, license and clean fecal test in past 6 months.
- Supervise your dog closely; never leave your dog unattended.
- Dogs must be under your voice control at all times.
- No dogs younger than four months allowed because of inoculation requirements.
- No more than two dogs per owner.
- All dogs must be spayed or neutered.
- If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, please leash him/her and leave immediately.
- Fill in any hole your dog digs.
- No smoking or food in the off-leash area.
- Please remove pinch, spike and shock collars before entering.
- No children under 10 years old allowed in the off-leash area.
- Owners are liable for any damage or injury inflicted by their dogs.
Dog Park Condition Status
The DGRI team will maintain and operate the park. But pet owners are ultimately responsible for cleaning up after their dogs and caring for the site.
DGRI will use the following rating system - posted at the park entrances - to monitor and manage the park status.
- Green: indicates the park is in good condition and fully open.
- Yellow: indicates a warning that the park needs attention. Too much poop piling up, too many holes from digging dogs, etc, etc. The park is open. But will close if pet owners don't help clean up.
- Red: indicates the park needs is in poor condition and closed until further notice.
