6 Genesee County Dog Parks That Make Tails Wag
How long have dog parks been around. I'm not talking about parks that allow dogs, I'm talking about parks specifically designed for dogs. Allowing dogs to interact in an off-leash setting while still being contained was an idea that was sparked back in 1979.
The Spark in 1979: Ohlone Dog Park in Berkeley
Credited as the first official public dog park in the United States, Ohlone Dog Park in Berkeley, California started as a community-led experiment on an open lot.
Local residents and dog owners worked with city officials to create a designated off-leash area.
Genesee County’s First Dog Park in 2006
The first dog park/kennel/grooming combo opened in Genesee County in 2006 on Gillette Road in Davison. Key-Lore Kennels Woof Woods Dog Park is a 12-acre fenced in area with a lot to offer, but a $35 annual membership or a $1 day pass are required.
Free Public Options Begin in 2011
Opened in 2011, the Davison Area Dog Park is Genesee County's first free-to-the-public dog park. The only other park in Genesee County that had fees was the Grand Blanc Dog Park, but they removed that requirement in March of 2020. Other that have popped up all over the county are free to the public.
Today’s Dog Park Landscape in Genesee County
| Name | Address / Location | Features / Amenities | year OPEN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson Road Regional Dog Park | 1325 W Thompson Road, Fenton Township, MI 48430. | Separate large & small dog areas, agility equipment, benches, waste stations. | 2017. |
| Flushing County Park | 4417 N McKinley Rd, Flushing, MI 48433. | Fenced off-leash area with two zones (small & large), pavilion, restrooms, playgrounds, trails — part of 105-acre county park. | 2017 |
| Davison Area Dog Park | 1285 North Gale Road, Davison, MI 48423 | Separate large & small dog areas, shaded spots, water access, gazebo/shelter, waste receptacles. | 2011 |
| Key-Lore Kennels Woof Woods Dog Park | 7185 Gillette Rd, Flushing, MI. | ~12-acre fenced wooded dog park, trails, agility courses, seasonal swimming; membership required (also boarding/grooming/daycare on site). | 2006 |
| Grand Blanc Dog Park | 1505 E Grand Blanc Rd, Grand Blanc, MI. | Separate spaces for small & large dogs, agility equipment, water access, waste stations; part of larger park with trails/play fields. | 2014 |
| Swartz Creek Dog Park | 4150 Elms Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473 | Fenced dog-park area inside Elms Park; reports of separate small/large zones, benches; nearby park amenities such as pavilions and restrooms. | 2018 |