Suffolk County Unleashed!

When planning and designing a Dog Park in your area, it is useful to include these key points:

---A dog park should be located a fair distance from residential areas

---It should be a minimun of 3 acres, with SEPARATE areas for large and small pups (2 acres for pups over 30 lbs., 1 acre for pups under 30 lbs.)

---Be completely fenced, and include a double gated entry for each section

---Have 2 drinking stations with catch basin and drain installed, one for each section

---Restrooms or Porta Pottys should be located near the site

---Rules and regulation signs should be clearly posted, including contact number for Animal Control and Release of Liability signage

---Waste receptacles should be placed at least every 100 feet, with bag dispensers placed in strategic areas

---Handicap accessible, with paved pathways to enable wheelchair access

---Adequate benches, situated at least 6 feet from fencing so pups don't get lodged between

---Shelter areas including benches are optional, but can include 2 large areas in large pup park, and 1 large shelter area for small pup section

---Bathing areas are optional as well, but can include 1 pup bathing station with catch basin and drain for each section

----Adequate parking

 Pictured to the right is the beautiful Lake Ida Dog Park in Delray Beach Florida, one of the inspirations for Middle Island- expertly designed and planned by Bill Wilsher, Superintendent of Park Planning for Palm Beach County, Florida- thank you Mr Wilsher, for all your help and guidance and for putting up with me and all my questions during the construction of Middle Island!

All these features make for a well designed dog park for dogs and their owners to enjoy-----