One of the amenities most requested by Desert Ridge residents has been a dog park. As an association, we’ve shared this feedback with city officials and worked hard on behalf of our membership. Thanks to the efforts of the DRCA board, members of our association, Councilman Jim Waring, and the Parks and Recreation Director Inger Erickson, we will soon have a dog park in our community.
Dog parks are listed among the most popular recreational amenities in the Valley, and the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department has built nine such facilities in recent years. The tenth is scheduled to open this spring and another is being planned for inclusion in the Reach 11 Sports Complex, located near the intersection of Deer Valley and Cave Creek roads. It will be part of the larger master plan for that area.
The Parks and Recreation Department process for developing and constructing a dog park takes approximately nine months, which includes a three month design phase followed by a six month construction period.
The design phase begins with the Parks and Recreation Department’s Development staff working to create a steering committee of community members, which will guide the design and concept phase and present those ideas to the community for feedback and approval. Once those components are finalized the construction project will begin.
Phoenix dog parks generally are two acres in size, with separate fenced-in one-acre areas for large and small dogs. Features also include drinking fountains for dogs, shade trees, trash receptacles, concrete seating areas, lighting, and turf and decomposed granite surfaces.
Information about City of Phoenix dog park locations can be found by visiting: www.phoenix.gov/parks/parks/dog-parks.
Social media is also a great way to keep current with the latest Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department activities and programming. Follow the department on Facebook (/PhoenixParks), Twitter (@PhoenixParks) and Instagram
(@PhxParks).
We’re grateful for the efforts of everyone who helped to bring this important amenity into our community and for the supportive city staff who listened and worked on behalf of the members of Desert Ridge.
Thanks again for your support and I look forward to seeing you at the dog park!
Doug Dickson
President
Desert Ridge Community Association
