Sycamore Park Dog Park — Attraction in Madison

I'm new to off-leash dog parks as of this year (and dog ownership as of last fall) and super enjoy letting my dog be a dog at the parks. We frequent Sycamore mostly because it's close to home and a good size for a nice walk, but small enough for dogs to encounter each other. It's well maintained in regards to mowing down trails and providing dog poo bags. No water or human bathroom at this park (though I've seen male owners at the park work around the latter issue..). I've only had positive encounters with dogs and owners - everyone has shared mission to let their dogs be dogs and have fun. The pressure to human socialize can be great at times, but not unbearable or deal breaking. There are some long time regulars that will notice if you are new to the park and are quite welcoming and friendly. Lost/found items are left on the table at the entrance gate for others. Very considerate vibe. I love seeing so many breeds mixes! People are complimentary about each other's dogs. I own a mastiff and people are friendly without fear around him and this helps increase my dog's socialization and flexibility. I wish there was a water source at the park for dog drinking water but not a deal breaker. It's never crowded, but is most active during the after work time, I've noticed. If you need to keep the party going, that Dog bar place is around the corner. Not my thing but it seems to attract large crowds. I can't recall what the dog park tag cost exactly but totally worth the money plus. I feel grateful we have so many off leash parks...

I have been going to this park for 5 yrs. For the last 1.5 yrs I have been harressed by other dog owners. For the simple fact of having two small dogs who r hyper active and very vocal. I have been told I dont belong here, my dogs dont belong here. My dogs who bark and trying to play with other dogs. I dont understand. I thought this was a public park for all, not just for the chosen few. I hope that the east side of Madison people wake up . Learn to except and stop thinking that every place is secluded just for a chosen few and the type of breeds they want in a part. My breeds r mixed terriers under 15pds. Just to give everyone the type of...

This dog park has changed and now it isn’t a fully open mowed park. The whole middle section of the park is all grown out, kind of like a prairie, which is kind of gross if your dog wanders into it and other dogs have pooped in there. The park is basically just like a giant mountain….. the edges around the park just outside of the “prairie” middle are mowed (like a trail) and the middle “prairie” part is just one giant hill (kind of like a mountain). I rarely see other dogs there anymore and even if you do, the dogs can’t really play with each other because now it’s just these mowed edges around the entire park. Not fun. Waste of time to...