Strongsville Community Dog Park to Open This Fall at Volunteer Park

Sniff. Run. Play. Sniff. Life will be a little more fun for dogs who call Strongsville home when the new 4.4-acre Strongsville Community Dog Park opens this fall.

The $325,700 dog park property, partially funded through a $150,000 Ohio Capital Budget grant, is connected to Volunteer Park on Lunn Road. It will be owned and maintained by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, according to Brent Painter, the city’s director of economic development.

The area will be completely enclosed by a 6-foot-high, chain-link fence with double-gated entries. Amenities include pet waste stations, dog-friendly water fountains, separate play areas for large and small dogs, a wooded trail, sun shelters, benches and picnic tables. Ample parking and restrooms are available nearby.

“Our goal is to create a safe environment for dogs and their owners,” says Painter, who acknowledges the Strongsville Women’s League for their advocacy of the project. “Dogs are family members, and this will provide socialization opportunities not just for pets, but for their owners, as well. There is also an economic factor. People looking to move like that a community has a dog park.”

It’s important to remember that all dogs in Ohio require a dog license and should be up to date with their vaccines. Also, be sure to leave dog treats and human food outside the dog park.

“We are excited for the dog park. We did a lot of research about what works at other dog parks. There is also a memorial brick program for our dog park that is available through the city,” says Painter, who also credits additional civic organizations and businesses for their support.

And, if you see someone with a goldendoodle named Lulu and two kids at the park, that’s Painter.

“I never had a pet before. I was always allergic to them. But, you know, the kids wanted a dog … so now I take an allergy pill every night,” he laughs.