Dog park design, planning and management

ABSTRACT The principal purpose of this paper is to provide guidance for the design, planning and management of off-leash dog exercise parks. After a brief discussion of the environmental impacts of the high number of domestic dogs in Australia, the author looks at definitions of dog parks. The paper then considers their advantages and disadvantages, before looking at the key aspects of off-leash dog park design, planning and management, setting out the main features to be considered when designing a dog park. These are primarily based upon the available literature, chiefly from the USA where dog parks are an established feature; and the author's assessment of several Australian off-leash dog parks. Recognition of the potential risks to both dogs and their human companions need to be considered in dog parks’ design, planning and management.