Don’t Dog The Design
Create a destination park that includes pets
By Tiphanie Howard
Photos: Ben Mann, City Engineer
With more pet owners looking for activities to do with their entire family (Fido included), the staff from the Fairfield Parks and Recreation Department in Ohio began a quest to offer an all-inclusive and fun park experience. To achieve this goal, we envisioned a place for families and dogs to visit that no other park in the region could offer, a space that would include a “natural” obstacle course, swimming, and socialization, as well as allow dog owners to socially bond with neighbors. A place that would offer a sense of community between the two other parks situated less than two miles from each other (Waterworks Park and Marsh Lake), and a regional trail system planned to connect these parks. This combination created FurField Dog Park, a multi-use park and future trailhead.
Purposeful Planning
The park was developed on city property purchased nearly two decades earlier, next to a lake owned by the local gravel quarry. The intention was to utilize the natural surroundings to create a signature park like no other in the region. The final space is a serene setting that gives visitors a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the main Fairfield business corridor on Route 4, a mere 6 miles away. The design focused on a centralized concept that emphasized gathering spaces and interaction between park users.
The features of the 7-acre park include four off-leash areas, including a field for small dogs only (under 25 pounds), a field that is mostly wooded, a field that will allow rotation for turf recovery, and the main field, which has a large concrete area around a concrete pond. The main field includes an 110,000-gallon pond with a dock, limestone steps, bubbler fountain/man-made stream, and zero-entry, exposed concrete aggregate edge. The water feature is the key element to the park, allowing for interaction between the dogs and their owners.
Construction of the dog park project began in spring 2019, and was substantially complete for an October 2019 grand opening and dedication by the city’s mayor, council, and parks board. The opening was attended by vendors, citizens, and, most importantly, hundreds of dogs. All came to see and experience the park and future trailhead to the Great Miami River Trail. The project was funded with local dollars in response to the community’s wish list for parks master planning. The park (free of charge) is open to all people and dogs and has been immensely popular.
Thoughtful Features
Designing unique features was of utmost importance in making this space not just an off-leash area for dogs, as seen in so many other “dog park” designs. Features include an exposed aggregate runnel section with boulders and decorative rocks, dog paws stamped into the concrete work, a large, gravel dog paw in the park’s center, limestone pond with a dock for dogs to jump into the water, a repurposed fire hydrant as a dog wash station, and, of course, many stations with dog-waste disposal bags. Other features include a shade structure that not only provides a respite from the sun, but also adds a vertical element to the park, a prefabricated restroom, and a well-house building to be hidden by the existing safety berm around the adjacent lake.
Another unique design feature incorporates a Rainbow Bridge area to memorialize lost pets. Staff members designed the area near an adjacent lake that offers a quiet place for dog owners to reflect and memorialize their lost family members. Dog owners can purchase a personalized dog tag that will be attached to the designated section of fence within the Rainbow Bridge Garden. This idea originated from the concept of “Love Lock Bridges” — a modern tradition whereby sweethearts inscribe their names or initials on a padlock, attach it to a public structure, and throw away the key, permanently sealing their love.
The city held public open houses and hearings prior to construction and sent out correspondence to residents before and during construction to keep them informed on project progress. Social media were widely employed to notify residents of significant milestones, including regular posting of drone pictures and videos on a nearly monthly basis. This project had more social-media interest than any other city project or initiative in 2019.
Additional considerations:
Creating a signature park: To be considered the best of its kind in the region, we incorporated amenities that went beyond parking, fences, and grass by including decorative features, walking paths, and fully functioning bathrooms—all while maintaining the wooded areas of the land.
Providing a safe environment in a beautiful location: The adjacent 150-acre lake on private property provides a magnificent view, but required safety fencing. Adding a water feature made the park stand out, but required design considerations, such as exposed aggregate concrete and zero-entry grades, to limit the hazard of the water.
Providing a sustainable park that is maintainable: Angular rock edging around fences was added to look pleasing while limiting weed maintenance. Design and construction allowed for multiple access points for mowing and clearances from slopes and trees to make it safe for maintenance personnel.
Connectivity to the Great Miami River Trail: It was the intent from the beginning that the park would eventually connect to southwest Ohio’s regional trail network and would serve the dual purpose of a trailhead. An overlook was built along the trail and, since opening, has been a particularly popular spot for bird watchers, as there is a nesting pair of American Bald Eagles in the area.
Looking Ahead
Future plans will incorporate special events for the community to encourage socializing (for humans and dogs), fitness and wellness, and other opportunities for leisure time in partnership with local shelters/humane societies and businesses. Our event team is planning events such as “pups and pints” in collaboration with a local ice cream shop, a “yappy hour” with a local brewery, a 5K walk/run “pooch scoot,” a swim in the pond, and a 1-mile walk or, a “doggie DOO-athalon.”
Providing only a fenced-in, off-leash area will no longer be a destination for pet owners who want to experience opportunities with their entire family. Recreation professionals will need to start planning destinations with a more creative approach to maintain the “complete community” initiative that will help establish park and recreation departments as an essential service. Hopefully, our story will assist in your efforts!
Tiphanie Howard, CPRP, is the Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Fairfield, Ohio. Reach her at TLHoward@farifieldoh.gov.
—————————————-