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Dog Parks FAQ

(Frequently Asked Questions)

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What is a “Dog Park?

The types of facilities that have amenities particularly conducive to use by dogs and their owners are known by several names: “dog park,” “bark park,” “dog exercise area (d.e.a.),” etc.  The National Recreation and Park Association defines the facility as “a contained public area where dog owners may allow their dogs to run off-leash.”
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Why are Dog Parks needed?

Dogs need sufficient exercise to maintain their physical health and to learn appropriate behavior when socializing with humans or other dogs. They also need regular outings to reduce boredom, release pent-up energy at home, and decrease aggressive behavior.

Owning a dog encourages people to exercise and visit their local park.  More than most other park facilities, Dog Parks have been places where neighbors and other local residents regularly meet and greet, often forming the beginning of longer-lasting community ties.

Dogs and their owners have been affected first by planning for communities and public open space and then by its management. As more people live in compact types of housing surrounded by heavier traffic, greater demands are placed on public open space.  More intense user conflicts within existing parks, especially those in more urbanized areas, have often meant greater restrictions on domestic animals to public open space. Montgomery County has over 25,000 licensed dogs and many more who are unlicensed.
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What are they like on the National and Regional levels?

Although only a few existed in the early 1990’s, nearly 600 Dog Parks are now scattered among the states.  The majority are owned and operated by local park agencies while a small amount are still assisted and monitored by sponsoring resident groups.

Existing Dog Parks range from 10,000 square feet to 70 acres in size and are located on a variety of terrains: from small neighborhood parks to portions of large regional parks to natural wilderness areas, trails and portions of beaches, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.

About 40 Dog Parks are located in the metropolitan area, and quite a few more are being planned.  These parks are located in a wide range of areas, including dense, urbanized and commercial/industrial areas and, in a few cases, in natural resource areas.  The greatest number is in residential neighborhoods.   Most of the recently developed parks are fenced, but otherwise, are no more isolated from their surroundings than other park uses.   Grass is the most popular surface and various methods are used to maintain and repair turf.   Dog Parks usually have a few amenities: trash cans and water fountains seem the most important, but bulletin boards, small open shelters, benches, bag dispensers for dog-wastes, and balls for dog play are also provided in a number of them. Most of the fenced parks have double-entry gates and posted rules.

Dog Parks were established as early as the 1970’s in Alexandria, Virginia and the 1980’s in Arlington County, Virginia. These Dog Parks proved very popular with their users, and were followed by the development of more parks, including, in the late 1990’s, the Cities of Gaithersburg and Greenbelt in Maryland, and Fairfax County in Virginia. The City of Bowie opened its Dog Park in late 2001. Again reflecting the national experience, these parks have provided an enjoyable means for dogs—and their handlers—to exercise and socialize. Official Dog Parks are also helpful to non-users, since they draw many dogs away from other park facility areas and their users.
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What are they like on the Local level?

City of Gaithersburg
Green Run Dog Park
Bickerstaff Road and I-370.

The only official dog park in Montgomery County, this elongated, 55,000 square foot dog park has two sections and is bordered by some townhouses on one side and a gully on the other. The first but smaller section, open year-round, is covered with blue dust. The second, a 45,000 square-foot section, has been re-seeded and remains open only during the warm months. Both of these portions are fenced, and have a double-gated entrance.  A gravel parking lot is immediately beside the dog parks.
According to sign-in sheets at the park, when both sections are open, the park has an average 200 sign-in visitors daily on weekdays and 300 daily on weekends. About 75 percent, or atotal of over 62,000of the sign-in visits are by people who live in Montgomery County outside the City of Gaithersburg.  Because overuse has been such a problem, the City instituted a yearly $25 entrance fee for dogs living outside the City.

The park is heavily patrolled by the City Animal Control Division, and maintained by the City’s Parks Department.  An Ad Hoc Dog Park Advisory Committee makes recommendations about the planning and use of the park, and has advised the City to create additional Dog Parks.
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Managing Dog Parks within Montogmery County's Park System

The Department of Parks will provide basic maintenance for these facilities.  Development of these facilities will be supported by the Department of Parks’ Capital Improvement Program(CIP) with daily operation and maintenance support.  Oversight of the dog parks will be the responsibility of the Department of Parks, park managers and the Park Police.

The following criteria for choosing locations for Dog Parks within the public parkland system:

  • At least acre in size; preferably more; perhaps an area large enough to develop two sections, allowing for use of one while maintaining the other; (smaller areas may be considered in urban areas of the county).
  • Healthy soils with good drainage, some large shade trees or an open shelter;
  • A site that is compatible with existing uses in that park;
  • Safe distance from roadways;
  • Accessible parking area with safe passageway between parking area and dog exercise area;
  • A sufficient distance or a buffer from residential areas;
  • A clean drinking water source for dogs (desirable but not mandatory);
  • Easy accessibility for trash removal and other park maintenance tasks;
  • If designed for neighborhood use, accessibility (within walking or short driving distance) to residential areas;
  • A site that is not unduly environmentally sensitive, and that can accommodate a dog exercise area without excessive environmental damage.

NOTE: While the above criteria are for the optimal situation and sites meeting these criteria are preferred, some sites may not be able to meet all criteria.
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What locations are being proposed?


Staff visited several potential locations recommended by park managers based on the criteria proposed above.  These six or seven potential locations would allow placement of Dog Parks in a variety of geographic areas and offer a variety of sizes.  Using the criteria proposed above, the public is invited to suggest possible sites in parks within their communities.
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What rules will govern the use of Dog Parks?

  • Dogs must be display current license and rabies vaccination tags.
  • Dogs must be over 4 months old.
  • Dog-handlers must leash their dogs when outside the dog exercise area, and must be in possession of a leash at all times when inside the park.
  • Dog handlers must be in control of and in visual contact with their dogs at all times.
  • Parents must be in control of their children.  No pet handlers under age 13 (or other specified age).
  • No more than 3 dogs per handler.
  • Dog handlers must immediately remove their dogs’ feces, and repair any holes created by their dogs.
  • No smoking or eating by dog handlers (except for dog treats).
  • No aggressive dog behavior.
  • No female dogs in heat.
  • Hours of the dog exercise area are the same as the hours for the remainder of the park.
  • Dog owners are liable for any injuries or damage caused by their dogs. 
  • Users of the dog exercise area do so at their own risk.

Additional Dog Parks Rules for Consideration or Dependent on Type of Dog Park Location

  • No professional dog training unless sponsored by or approved by the Humane Society, Department of Park and Planning, or County.
  • No pet grooming.
  • Limit on number of dogs in the dog exercise area at one time
  • Dog Parks hours, which are extended to one hour beyond sunset or later between November and March.
  • No glass or metal containers
  • Permitting puppies of 4 months or less, if vaccinated, at separate places or specified times in park
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How can the public get involved?

The Department of Parks is interested in your comments on the subject of placing dog exercise area in certain areas of the county.  Perhaps there are suitable areas within parks near you that you’d like to suggest for consideration. Let us know what you think of this issue by:

  • E-mailing your comments:
    mcp-parks@mncppc-mc.org

  • Writing to:
    Mary Bradford, Director of Montgomery Parks
    9500 Brunett Avenue
    Silver Spring, MD 20901

  • Calling (identification and funding):
    Mr. Dilip Pandya, CIP Project Manager, Park Development Division
    301-495-2469

Contact Parks