Commercial Dog Park Amenities

Commercial Dog Parks
Masters Welcome…
Estimated 2013 U.S. Market
For 2013, it estimated that $55.53 billion will be
spent on our pets in the U.S.
Number of US Households with a Pet
Dog 56.7
Number of Pets in the US
Dog 83.3

Barking Up the Right Tree
By Kelli Anderson
For Kelly Acree and her husband, tired of the dust bowls,
mud pits and general discomfort of the dog parks in
their Dallas, Texas, neighborhoods, the thought of
creating an indoor dog park seemed like a good idea.
The resulting success of their 50,000-square-foot
indoor dream-come-true in March 2009, Unleashed,
has proven that others think so, too.
"We researched all around the country and many parks
lacked amenities," said Acree about their effort to
identify the best and avoid the worst of many outdoor
dog parks. "Although some are really trying—even
having toy/treat vending machines—it's as much
about the owner as the dog. You exercise your dog
30 minutes and go home in a traditional park, but our
customers spend three or four hours here easily—
some all day."
And there's a good reason why. With a 25,000-square-foot
space dedicated for indoor freedom, dogs can romp
with other four-legged friends monitored by trained
attendants in a climate-controlled, comfortable
space, while their owners can take advantage of free
Wi-Fi, as they sip a cappuccino in the café, pick up a
new toy at the pet center or relax in the lounge areas
overlooking the main floor.
Describing itself as a new kind of amusement park, complete
with waterfall, spa-like feel and a soon-to-be-completed outdoor
park with splash area, it is ideally suited for the American family
that more and more includes Rover as one of its core members.
And it's not just about bells and whistles—although there are
plenty. Attention has also been paid to the basics. As anyone
who has been around dogs can attest, "tell-tail" signs of a doggie
domain can be unsightly and smelly. However, thanks to a
heavy-duty HVAC system, giant 20-foot ceiling fans and an anti-microbial
artificial turf with a proprietary drainage system beneath
the flooring, Unleashed has ensured that its environment smells
fresh and stays spotless.
"We are really seeing an increase, week by week of new clients,"
Acree said of their recession-proof business that has registered
more than 7,000 clients so far. "We had one customer tell us that
she has decided to forgo eating out to come here. It says a lot
about what people are willing to do for their companions."
Like the evolution of fitness and aquatic centers before them,
successful recreational spaces for dogs and their owners—
whether indoor or out—are offering space for fitness as well as
comfort, community and creative fun that are good for the users
and great for business.
And while Americans have always loved their dogs, something
has profoundly shifted in our relationship to man's best friend.
One has only to look at the booming pet industry of designer dog
apparel, gourmet and organic dog food and TV shows like "The
Dog Whisperer" to recognize that dogs have moved in from the
traditional doghouse and into the family unit itself.
For many who now wait longer to get married and to have
children, dogs become their first "family," which may explain why
across the country so many community groups are clamoring for
dog parks of their own. To date, an estimated 1,200 dog parks—
many created in partnership with community groups and their
TIPS & TRENDS FROM
TODAY'S HOTTEST DOG PARKS

Best in Show
Most dog parks have been designed over the years to
give dogs a simple and secure space to run and
play, yet have often overlooked a key user of this
recreational space: the people. But today, dog
parks that win "best in show" are those that go
beyond the simple fenced enclosure with a list of
rules posted at the gate. They are spaces that
recognize and are responding to the changing
relationship owners have with their pets and the
desire they have to create community with others
in a safe, regulated environment.
"People see the benefit of exercising their dogs and
themselves, and are willing to pay for a safe,
regulated park," said Pam Stanley, owner of
nationally award-winning Shaggy Pines Dog Park
in Grand Rapids, Mich. "A lot of dog parks,
especially city dog parks, don't temperament-test
the dogs or make sure they are vaccinated. We're
strict on that and require all vaccinations and
temperament-test the dogs on site. People
appreciate it—it's a healthier and safer place."
Stanley is quick to point out, however, that most city
parks have a more difficult time regulating their
parks without the kind of funding needed to do so.
However, for the very popular dog parks created by the
park district in Indianapolis, keeping dogs and
owners safe and dog parks more regulated has
proven to be not only possible but revenue-generating
as well.
"The initial push for a dog park came from our user groups," said
Kent Knorr, manager of revenue and special facilities with the
parks and recreation department of the city. "Broad Ripple Dog
Park was our first and a major success. We sold passes that
were available in January and were sold out by spring. It's
become such a phenomenon that people are always asking how
to get them in their own communities."
To date, Indianapolis has built two other larger dog parks and is
in the process of planning more. What Knorr appreciates about
their system is that it not only generates much-needed revenue
through a variety of passes that can be purchased on an as-needed
or annual-membership basis, but their system also
allows the city to regulate the parks' users and their safety.
Dog owners who provide proof of updated vaccinations and pay
a fee are given reader cards that activate the magnetic gate
system at the city's dog parks. Discounts are given for those with
more than one dog or for those buying passes late in the season
to further encourage people to abide by the rules and participate
in the program. Because so many people now use Indianapolis's
growing number of dog parks, they have recently instituted a VIP
("Very Important Pooch") option that allows users to access all
their dog parks instead of specific ones, as in years past.
Another benefit of issuing membership passes and charging
even a modest fee is that it imbues the members with an even
greater sense of ownership. User groups that usually invest a
large amount of time and energy to create dog parks are typically
motivated to see to it that their parks are well kept; issuing
passes makes it even more so. "Members really treat it like it's
theirs," Stanley says of her park's clients. "They're part owners
and are very good about picking up after themselves. We found
that they'll even pay it forward and pick up after others who miss
theirs."
Knorr agrees, indicating that in his 10 years of dog park
experience, people are good to clean up after their pets. It is a
non-issue.
CONTINUED…

CONTINUED…
Paws for Thought
Making sure that a dog park is well designed and
maintained, however, is a first step that is essential to
success. Today's most-lauded dog parks are careful to
address issues of safety, comfort, aesthetics and
amenities. Like most good projects, it starts with good
planning.
Ten years ago when Martha Burgess, landscape designer
for Judith Heinz Landscape Architects in New York City,
completed one of the city's largest dog runs at the
Theodore Roosevelt Park in Manhattan, she knew
careful planning was essential to solve the existing
park's many, many problems.
"When the project began we had to work with the history
museum, the Parks Department, seven different
community groups and the architects—and we had to
appease everyone," Burgess explained about the four-year-
long process. "The planning and design process
had to be done early and up front. It can't be an
afterthought—you can't just slip it in."
Taking an existing city park and revamping its dog run meant
addressing issues of erosion from its sloping site,
unpleasant smell from years of mismanagement,
bothersome noise (barking) for nearby residents and
aesthetics to meld the area seamlessly into the larger
park space.
Changing the location from a slope to a well-drained, flatter
area of the park was an enormous step in the right
direction. Susyn Stecchi, founder of DogParks USA
and author of So You Want to Build a Dog Park: A
Comprehensive Guide for Municipalities and Private
Entities says that adequate drainage is essential to
prevent the mud pits and bog-like areas that plague so
many existing dog parks.
Likewise, having adequate space for dogs to not only run and
play, but also to prevent the wear and tear on a natural surface,
is important. "Our first park took a real beating on the turf at first,"
Knorr said. "We look for locations now that allow a bigger area.
Our two newer parks are 3 to 4 acres total, and we are able to
divide them into two sides to rest half of the property as needed.
We've found it extremely important for maintenance."
Other essential elements Stecchi recommends in all dog park
designs are shade for both dogs and their owners, water, safe
fencing and especially safe gate designs that will keep dogs from
getting out as others come in. Providing doggie waste bags,
scoopers and adequate seating are just some of the features that
make these spaces more user-friendly and clean.
Keeping their dog run clean and low-maintenance was certainly a
high priority for the Theodore Roosevelt Park project. Although
considered a large dog run by city standards at an estimated
1,500 square feet, it was not large enough to maintain turf. The
solution was a carefully chosen gravel surface that would be
gentle to paws but easily washed down each night with an
automated irrigation and drainage system to keep the area clean
and fresh.
But whether it's providing a cleanable surface or providing
sufficient space to maintain turf, making sure that there is a way
to rid the space of dog waste via receptacles, baggies and
scoopers is a must.
And while dogs don't particularly care how their parks may look,
owners and the community certainly do. Well-chosen plantings
can soften the look of a fenced area around a park's perimeter,
trees within the space offer much-needed shade and interest,
and whimsical additions like a colorful fire hydrant add an
affordable element of fun.
In the case of the Theodore Roosevelt Park, an aesthetic touch
also proved to be practical: Climbing ivy along an adjacent
apartment building wall not only looks good but absorbs some of

While the designs are based on popular agility obstacles, the equipment has been developed for
use by dogs of all abilities and confidence levels. Steel walking planks feature BarkPark’s
proprietary CanineCoat™, a thermoplastic coating that has been specially developed to provide
superior slip-resistant traction for dog’s paws. CanineCoat™ is a tough commercial coating that
provides superior adhesion, UV protection, and resistance to vandalism and urine. Made in the
USA.

Our beginner course includes four (4) exciting and fun components that can be
used intuitively by most dogs. This equipment is a best bet for drawing new and
returning visitors to the dog park!

Our moderate difficulty course offers six (6) activities to create an attractive dog
play area in any park, public space, or pet care facility. During play dogs can
begin to master skills such as climbing, balance, jumping, crawling, and more.

Our most advanced course offers nine (9) activities meeting the needs of dogs of
various sizes and abilities. The agility-based play equipment takes the park to the
next level and offers activities suitable for the family pet up to the seasoned
athlete.

Let your best friend be Best in Show! We took our most popular activities
and added our popular Pet Waste Station, Sit & Stay Bench and Tidy Up
Trash Receptacle.

Good things come in small packages, which is why we created this agility
course for small dogs. It features a newly designed hoop jump that is shorter to
the ground and features smaller hoops that are just the right size for teacups
and terriers. This course also features the Doggie Crawl, Weave Posts and
Paws Table. Installation height of the Paws Table can be shortened to
accommodate smaller dogs. Standard installed height is 12”.

The Small Dog Advanced Kit includes all the great features of the Small Dog
Kit, plus the addition of more challenging pieces. Installation height of the
Paws Table can be shortened to accommodate smaller dogs. Standard
installed height is 12”.

Jump over Rover Dog Walk
The BarkPark™ Rover Jump Over is an
adjustable jump bar challenge that allows for
quick and easy height changes as the dog’s
confidence and precision increases. The height
can adjust simply by moving the bar to higher
notches in the frame. Mounts in ground.
The Dog Walk is the
largest BarkPark™ component and is made up of
three non-slip planks supported by in ground-mounted
posts. Dogs can walk or run up, across,
and down the planks based on their individual
level of balance and confidence.
For Information – Sales – Installation - Maintenance
Chris Beckman
Chris.Beckman@WilkinsSolutions.com
615-669-3481

Stepping Paws King of the Hill
Stepping Paws require the dog to either step of
jump from each platform as the pods increase and
decrease in height while helping to develop
balance and confidence. The pods can be
arranged to provide a true test of agility or just a
fun obstacle for dogs to play on.
The BarkPark™ King of the Hill A-frame provides
a challenge for all dogs to walk or run up an
incline and descend the other side at their own
pace and confidence level. Endurance and
balancing capacity are also developed.
Chris Beckman
615-669-3481

Paws Table / Grooming Table Doggie Crawl
The "Paws" Table provides a place for dogs to
take a rest break while running the BarkPark™
course or to practice sit and stay commands.
Basic grooming can also be accomplished
while the dog takes a pause.
The BarkPark™ Doggie Crawl is a classic
crawl tunnel that features many spyholes
for increased interior brightness and
superior supervision. The large diameter
tunnel allows entry by most dogs and is
made of heavy-duty rotomolded plastic. It
can be surface mounted with ground
spikes (included) or mounted in ground
Chris Beckman
615-669-3481

Hoop Jump Small Hoop Jump
The BarkPark™ Hoop Jump is a progressive jump trainer for dogs of
all abilities. Featuring three rings of increasing heights.
The BarkPark™ Small Hoop was designed with little legs in mind! The
hoops are staggered in 3 different heights. Mounts In ground.
Chris Beckman
615-669-3481

Teeter Totter Weave Posts
The BarkPark™ Flexible Weave Posts include two
sets of three posts. The posts are attached to a
surface-mount plate that allows for easy alignment
and in ground placement. Each post is powder
coated and has a flexible rubber stopper located
at the attachment point that provides great spring
action for smooth pacing even at top speeds.
The BarkPark™ Teeter Totter offers the
challenge of an obstacle that the dog must
"control". Once mastered, the Teeter Totter can
be a real confidence booster for dogs in terms
of balance.
Chris Beckman
615-669-3481

Complete your BarkPark and save big
with the BarkPark Amenities Kit. You’ll
receive a Pet Waste Station complete
with two boxes of waste bags, Sit and
Stay bench, Tidy Up Trash Receptacle*
and a Leash Post. Each piece (except
Leash Post) features paw print and
bone details and is available in playful
or natural color schemes.
Chris Beckman
615-669-3481

Chris Beckman
615-669-3481

Make your dog park a community destination.
Chris Beckman
615-669-3481

Commercial Dog Park Amenities

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