5/5 - Our Favorite Dog Park!…read more
We've been bringing our GSP here 4-5 days a week for nearly a year, and 95% of the time it's a fantastic experience. There's a strong community of regulars, and most dog owners are responsible and attentive. You'll find a rhythm to the park: the 9am crew, the noon "puppy hour," and a lively 5pm group (avoid this time if your dog prefers a mellower vibe). In summer, there's water available and people often bring kiddie pools. The park is donation-based, so consider bringing your own water for your pup (and others!), just in case.
As with any public space, you'll occasionally run into an untrained or aggressive dog--usually brought by someone new to dog parks. In the past year, I've only seen two serious incidents. In one case, a dog attacked another and was subsequently banned by the city. In another, a dog aggressively "resource guarded" its favorite best friend dog at the park, and attacked any other dog who wanted to play with his best friend. It was handled by the community. Incidents like these are rare but worth being aware of.
Personally, I stay vigilant. I screen every new dog my pup meets and carry a pet corrector spray and small foghorn, just in case. I never assume others are as proactive, so I ask questions and stay alert. It's every owner's responsibility to manage their dog to ensure everyone's safety--that's how public spaces like this thrive.
Overall, Starr Farm is hands-down the best dog park around. The positive experiences far outweigh the negative, and we've made great connections. There's even a "Friends of Starr Farm Dog Park" Facebook group, which has grown to include social outings for dog owners.
My dog does well here because she's highly trained, socially savvy, and prefers fetch over pack play. If something seems off--like a checked-out owner or a dog with concerning behavior--I create distance or leave. There's also a smaller fenced-in area for shy, small, or young dogs right beside the larger fenced in area FYI. It shares the same parking lot and it's gated entrance is on the left side (when you park).
A few asks to keep this space safe:
- If your dog resource guards other dogs, please don't bring them here. If they resource guard high value "toys" or other dogs balls, please be aware of this while at the park and manage the situation (like don't bring it's favorite toy) to avoid creating triggers for aggression.
- If your dog isn't up-to-date on vaccines or parasite prevention, please stay home.
- If your dog is aggressive or attacks other dogs, this is not the place--try a private "Sniff Spot" rental instead.
Community spaces only stay safe and welcoming if we protect them. This park is a gem because people genuinely care. Let's keep it that way!