Waterloo, Iowa Provides the Best Off-Leash Dog Park

Three years ago, the city of Waterloo, Iowa's leisure services department acquired funding and opened the Pat Bowlsby Off-leash Dog Park. The city needed to solve the problem of city pets running free or not getting enough exercise to be healthy. The park is open from dawn until dusk 7 days a week, making this a convenient alternative for any pet owner in the city and surrounding areas. There is a small fee for the use of the Dog Park. This fee can be paid daily at a rate of $2 or you can go to the Clerk's office and purchase a yearlong pass for $10.

The park is located on a 5 acre plot at the intersections of Highway 63 and Ansborough Avenue. This is a business area for the most part. Having the dog park located in a neutral area of town is an excellent idea. It allows people from any part of the town to feel safe bringing their dog to the Pat Bowlsby Off-Leash Dog Park. The neutral location should deter trouble makers from attempting to claim the location for illegal activities.

Parking should never be an obstacle for people coming to the dog park. The Pat Bowlsby Off-Leash Dog Park is located alongside Greenbelt Park. Greenbelt Park already has a very large gravel parking lot for visitors. This parking lot is available for guests of the dog park as well.

The fully fenced in area allows for dogs to run and interact with others without fear of running away or getting hit by a car. The city of Waterloo, Iowa is attempting to raise $10,000 so that they can install water for the dogs. There are clearly stated rules to avoid any problems arising and the park is monitored by the Black Hawk County Humane Society.

My mother introduced me to the Pat Bowlsby Off-Leash Dog Park in the summer of 2010. She had been bringing her three large breed dogs to the park since it had opened. When she started taking her dogs to the park, all three were extremely overweight. Now, 2 years later, all three of my mother's dogs are in excellent physical condition. I was also surprised to find that her dogs are much more sociable since they have had the opportunity to regularly interact with other humans and dogs.

I found the park to be so enjoyable that I started driving my two dogs the 25 miles from Shell Rock twice a week to run at the dog park. The dogs go crazy being able to just run freely and they really enjoy having other dogs to interact with. The park has a laid back atmosphere going for it. I have acquired several friends during my time at the dog park. If there was a grill out and some drinks, this dog park could be a tailgate party with pets.

I would rate the Pat Bowlsby Off-Leash Dog Park in Waterloo, Iowa with an A. It offers a neutral, crime free location with plenty of parking available. The hours are very flexible and the environment pleasant. My dogs love being able to run freely and make new friends. If you are in Waterloo, Iowa and need to exercise your dog, I highly recommend joining us at the Dog Park on Ansborough Avenue.

Works Cited

The pat bowlsby off-leash dog park is now open!. (2009, June). Retrieved from http://www.waterlooleisureservices.org/parks/DogPark.shtml

Pat bowlsby dog park - waterloo. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.doggoes.com/parks/iowa/pat-bowlsby-dog-park-waterloo