What Is a "Dog Park"? A "leash free" dog park is a place for dog owners to take their canine family members to run and play with other doggie friends without a leash restraint. It is also a place for dog owners to learn to be responsible for their dogs. My wife and I have taken our two adopted Bassett Hounds to 22 fenced in dog parks around Connecticut. Some of them are just fields or former landfill locations that the town "gave" to the dogs. Several parks we have visited showed that the planners thought that they would add something good to benefit the appearance of the town. Bristol has a large (2 acres?) wooded park that is really nice. The ground is cleared of leaves and debris and it is a very pleasant place to visit. Middlefield also has a wooded park, but it is really "wooded'. There are trails as well as benches and the dogs have a lot to explore. Rocky Hill has one of the most often used parks we have visited. There are always dogs there but the lack of trees makes it really hot in the warmer months. Many of the parks are set within an existing park that has sports fields and picnic areas. Others are "stand alone" places that were set up strictly as a dog recreation space. Both of these have their own merits. Wherever a Wallingford dog park gets located its overall design should be well thought out. The standard rectangular doggie play pen should be avoided and an attractive addition to the town should be considered. More to come!
