Local Dog Park Opens its Doors

Thursday was opening day for Minnetonka’s Bark Park: a canine-only, temperature-controlled, indoor play park. And just four hours after opening its doors, Bark Park’s motto—an indoor park where dogs can be dogs—had become a reality.

“Dogs are like many people’s kids,” co-owner Mindy Banko said. “We’re looking for this to be a community center for dogs and their people.

Two local dogs, prize-winning West Highland Terriers Tartan and Kelty, and their person, Ginny Nelsen, were among those actively using Bark Park only hours after the doors opened.

“I go to a lot of dog parks, which aren’t the greatest in the winter, so this is wonderful to be inside, and they can run lose,” Nelsen said. “They look like they love it.”

Tartan and Kelty spent almost a half-hour running between the plastic red fire hydrant and the two plastic blue race car beds.

Banko and her cousin Kim Roach came up with the concept for this 3,000 square foot, dog-only indoor play park during a family dinner just seven months ago.

“All of a sudden I looked at my cousin, and she looked at me, and we went, ‘Okay, we can do this together,’” Banko recalled.  “Literally that night we went into fast and furious mode."

Banko said it was a no-brainer to put the facility on Hedberg Drive in Minnetonka because of the close proximity to both St. Louis Park and Hopkins. But she said in order to open the park here, the city of Minnetonka required planning and permits to ensure the safety of dogs and their owners.

“Some cities don’t even make facilities be licensed, and there is a lot to that—the safety and hygiene, and health factors,” Banko said. “This is going to be a really healthy, safe environment.”

That means every dog who visits Bark Park is required to have vaccination forms. Also, no more than 25 dogs are allowed at the facility at a time and trained staff members will be present to ensure safety of all involved.

In April, Bark Park’s doggy daycare will open. Banko said it will be the only cage-less canine daycare facility in the area—something she said she couldn’t be more excited about. 

“You got to be passionate about dogs, and we are," Banko said. "We love dogs."

For Tartan, Kelty and Ginny Nelson, the feeling seemed mutual.

“I’ve been waiting and waiting for it to open,” Nelson said.

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IF YOU GO:

What: Bark Park Indoor Dog Park

Where: 2814 Hedberg Drive, Minnetonka

Hours: Mon–Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Price: $7 per dog; discount rates are available with multiple dogs.