What dog owners should know about Urbandale's first public dog park

Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register
·2 min read

Urbandale's first public dog park has opened just in time for the dog days of summer.

The dog park, 4905 68th St., opened Aug. 3 as is the culmination of years searching for the right location. City officials eventually settled on 3 acres at the site of a former wastewater treatment plant for the $600,000 project.

Here's what dog owners and their four-legged companions need to know about the park.

A rendering shows Urbandale's first public dog park, which opened Aug. 3, 2023.
A rendering shows Urbandale's first public dog park, which opened Aug. 3, 2023.

Who can use the dog park and how do people get access?

Urbandale residents must pay $15 for an annual pass. Non-residents must pay $40 for 2023 and $45 for 2024, according to the city.

Urbandale residents have to license their dogs with the city before applying for a dog park pass and proof of licensure is required at the time of \purchase. Annual city pet licenses can be purchased online and require a current rabies vaccination certificate.

Pet licensing can be done online as well as by mail. More information is available at urbandale.org/773/Animal-Control-Services.

Non-residents don't have to license their dog with the city but do have to provide a current rabies vaccination certificate with veterinary information at the time of purchase.

The dog park is locked and a pass comes with a code for entry.

Dog park passes can be purchased online at urbandale.activityreg.com/clientpage_t2.wcs.

Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg cuts a ribbon to open the city's first public dog park on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. The park is located at 4905 68th St.
Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg cuts a ribbon to open the city's first public dog park on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. The park is located at 4905 68th St.

Where are certain dogs allowed in the park?

All dogs who enter the park have to be at least 6 months old.

Small dogs — shorter than 13 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing no more than 25 pounds — are allowed in all areas of the park. There also is a separate small dog area if owners want to stay with dogs their pet's size.

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What are the dog park's amenities and hours?

The dog park is open from 6:30 a.m. to sunset. The park will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays for maintenance. The city will communicate any more maintenance closures by email and its website.

The park's amenities include 24 parking stalls, a drinking fountain, benches and open greenspace.

More information is available at urbandale.org/1089/Dog-Park.

Phillip Sitter covers suburban growth and development for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. He is on Twitter @pslifeisabeauty.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What dog owners should know about Urbandale's first dog park