Thornberry Dog Park — Attraction in Iowa City

This is a great dog park! You will need a season pass (your dog must be spayed/neutered, and have a rabies vaccination up to date). Season passes are purchased at the iowa city animal shelter south of town. You may purchase a day pass for $5 on site if that works better for you, either with the park attendant, or if no one is there you may just leave it in a provided envelope. There are 4 sections to this park:

A single use, aggressive dog area. It's on the left as you enter the park. Please do not enter if there is someone already in there, it could be dangerous for you or your animal!

The main area. This is the biggest area, central as you walk in the park. This area is for all socialized dogs. The pathway makes a figure 8 for endless meet and greets with other dogs. This area is the only area that connects to the pond area.

The pond. Here they have a man-made pond that feeds from the iowa river. They lined this pond a few years back to help with water quality. They also installed a windmill to help aerate the water for the same purpose. You'll see fish and frogs in here regularly. It can be a little rough and tumble with other dogs at times. There is a diving dock for dog training if that is your thing. This is the only area without a shelter, though there are some benches.

The small dog area. This is on the right as you enter. Your dog needs to be no taller than 18" from feet to shoulders to be allowed in here. It's the smallest of the 4 and most owner sit and chat in the shelter there while their dogs mingle.

This is an off leash park. Its double gated at the 3 main entrances (and the pond) to leash/unleash them before opening the gates. Close the gate behind you before opening the other. It features trees, large boulders, a sand pit, large areas of cut grass, shelters with benches, water fountains for you and your animals, and a dog wash. They have closed down the biodegradable poop bag collection, and instead offer collection bins specific for that purpose. Usually there is an attendant there, so be prepared to be checked for passes or tags, which are required. Always pick up your poop.

You may use the adjacent disc golf course or city service pathways outside of the park for free, but PLEASE pick up after yourself! I'd also recommend if you stray off those pathways, which is the disc golf course, walk in the same direction as the course. You and your animals do not want to get hit by a stray shot! The first hole of the disc golf course is to the left and past the dog park. Have...

It does cost $5 for the day but it's amazing. The atmosphere is lovely everyone we encountered was nice and it was a very good reprieve of constantly being asked if our doggo Daisy (whom is about a year old black and white lab based off her adoption papers but with a tid bit of what we are assuming is pit in her as well) is nice. She is loving and did extremely well with not only smaller dogs but the larger ones as well and interacted with every person their to give them lovings and receive some good pets..the best part is the pond they leave balls out there so you can throw them in the water for your pups...there was also a doggie water park area where they could play. They provide poop bags as well and there is also a place outside of the gate that you can hook your pup to and wash them down before leaving so that you don't get your vehicle all nasty with mud sand or grass. There were also a ton of benches and chairs for the human counterparts to use most were under the trees in the shade so while it's very sunny you could take a break or relax with a book while your pup or pups played. It's friendly for all ages and breeds there is a separate section for one on one time with your doggo or there was the other section for small breeds that may be to timid around larger dogs. Everything was marked clearly so you knew which areas were which and if you have any questions the guy that is up front that assists everyone with the app to pay the $5 or collect their cash will answer any and all questions. The picnic area is also under a awning so it is well shaded and the breeze is...

We came late in the day. There was no attendent present. The park itself is very large and nice, with a section each for large dogs and small dogs. The pond was not very clean or well-maintained, but there is a fence around it so if owners don't want their dogs to go in the water, they can just be sure the gate is closed. Our problem was with another dog and dog owner. Her male dog followed our neutered male dog around like glue for over 20 minutes and tried to mount our dog. Our dog is extremely passive and does not like to bark or growl and was clearly unhappy, but the intact male would not leave him alone. I followed them closely. Finally, my husband and I tried a few times to shoe the other dog away. That is when we met the only Karen I have ever met. She was angry, saying what is wrong? We told her that her dog would not leave ours alone, so her response was "dogs will be dogs". She escalated when we said she wasn't a responsible dog owner. She refused to call her dog. She threatened to call the police, saying she knew the police. The situation was awful. She said she had never had any problems before and she goes to to park all the time. I said we travel and go to dog parks all over the country and never had had that problem (with other dogs and their owners) before. (I did not say that was because other owners take responsibily for their dogs, but I should have.) Anyway, she finally left and our dog finally relaxed. I would never go back here again. It was extremely disturbing for all...