Stark County dog parks to visit with your furry friends this summer
These open areas are places your canine pets can go to play, to run free, to get the exercise that mere walking might not provide for them.
According to a search of websites, Stark County has a handful of dog parks—in or near Canton, North Canton, Canal Fulton and Massillon—serving a county population of more than 374,000 and an area of almost 580 square miles. Though that may not seem like many, dog owners appreciate the areas of unleashed freedom, and the number still ranks Stark County ninth per capita of 88 counties in Ohio and seventh per square mile of all counties in the state, according to the website, CountyOffice.org.
“Stark County dog parks are outdoor spaces, usually enclosed by a fence, that are used as a recreation area for pet dogs in Stark County,” the website said. “In contrast to other public parks, dog parks typically allow dogs to be off-leash. In addition to providing dogs open space for exercise activity, Stark County off-leash dog parks are intended to provide opportunities for dogs to socialize with each other.”
Websites note these dog parks:
Canal Fulton Dog Park
5500 Butterbridge Rd. NW, Canal Fulton
330-854-2225
The website BringFido.com notes that “pets love to play off-leash at this fenced dog park with separate small dog area, benches and water fountains.”
“There is little shade here,” notes one reviewer at the website. But, “there is fresh well water.”
The Facebook page for Canal Fulton Dog Park provides plenty of photographs and videos of patrons’ pets frolicking. They seem pleased.
Furnas Dog Park
900 17th St. NE, Massillon (Corner of Hankins Rd. and 17th St. NE)
330-832-1621
According to the website GoPetFriendly.com, Furnas Dog Park is a fenced-in park that “features a separate small dog area.”
Ruff Run Dog Park
2825 Easton St. NE, Plain Township
330-493-8215
Reviews note that the private park is “membership only so no un-neutered dogs,” but call it “very clean” and “a beautiful park.”
Cosmo Eduardo Dog Park
1511 Ellesmere Ave. NW, North Canton
Don’t expect amenities. One review notes that the park is little more than “an empty corner lot.” But, won’t there be times when that’s all your dog will need?
“Great dog park. I don’t get the bad reviews,” one online reviewer said, explaining “It’s not Cedar Point for dogs, but a nice, simple green space for them to run around.”
Veteran’s Park Dog Park
1714 Schneider St. NE, Plain Township
330-499-0000
The dog park, on the east side of Veteran’s Park, is beside a stand of trees providing shade, says the website BringFido.com, which gives the park a high “five bone” rating. It has a 1.5-acre section for small dogs and a 2.5-acre section for larger dogs. Both areas are fenced in and offer “water and agility equipment.”
“My huskies and I loved this park,” an online reviewer said as recently as earlier this year.
Dick Goddard Dog Park at Ariss Park
2520 Wise Rd., Green
330-896-6621
This park, according to the city’s recreation department website, features large and small dog areas, a 1.87-acre off-leash dog run and water fountains for both canine and human visitors.
Mutt mits and waste disposal stations were donated by Pet Supplies Plus, notes the website.
“The entrance to the Dog Park includes a commemorative walkway for our beloved family dogs! Pay tribute to our furry friends, either past or present, by purchasing an engraved paver,” the website suggests, noting that the pavers are $50 each if plain, or $60 with a dog, paw print or heart logo.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County dog parks to visit with your furry friends this summer
