Worthington Off Leash Dog Park — Attraction in Maryland

Our first visit was great. We were greeted by a lovely park employee who asked us if it was our first visit. She explained how to complete the form, she asked for proof of rabies shot and noted the expiration. She showed us where to put our $5 fee and explained how we could join for a yearly fee to save money if we came often. She explained the two gate system and which area was for larger dogs and the other area for smaller or more timid dogs. Our pup is large so we went to the right and we enjoyed the experience. Our pup was shy but warmed up to a few other dogs. All the dog parents were friendly and we stayed about an hour. The park employee explained that if we paid the $5 and came early in the day, we could come back without paying the fee again. She also explained that we were responsible for cleaning up after our dog and we all did that which made a better experience for humans and dogs. There was also an agility course that she pointed out and we enjoyed taking a look at that. We were impressed with the employee, we didn't expect someone to be there. She didn't stop working the entire time we were there. Cleaning up dog bowls no longer full of water, hauling trash to the dumpster, answering peoples questions and greeting people. I believe her name was Rita and we appreciated how much she seemed to care about the place and the pups. We are 100% going to...

This park is excellent. The folks leaving 1 star sound pretty miserable. Having to pay $5 to come in if you don't have a pass (the $5 is deducted from the cost of the $40 annual pass)? Not able to bring a baby into the park - get a clue lady - have you ever been to a dog park? Dogs run and wrestle. A baby held or on the ground would get creamed. Not being able to bring more than two dogs per person. I have three great danes and I am OK with two dogs per person. I am anti rules in general but the common sense rules that they use at this park keep the morons and bad dogs out. Rita and Sam (the guards as one person call them) are there to make sure the park works for EVERYONE not just for you. This park works in part because of the rules. Rita and Sam are excellent as are the dogs and the people. I live in between the Columbia dog park and the HoCo dog park. This one is 10x better than the Columbia dog park. I think this is where the miserable people that would give Worthington dog park a 1 star rating are all going. Keep it that way. We don't need you to...

Seeing how tactful, friendly and welcoming, and fully competent Rita is, is almost reason enough to visit the park. She knows all the people and dogs. My hound, Dudley, and I are full-bore Rita fans.

MOST of the people one sees there, and probably all of the dogs there are great; pleasant to meet and ready to share admiration of all the pets and swap comments and stories. A few of the patrons are too cool to pick up poop or pick up toys when they are through, stop their dogs from digging, or take water jugs back up the hill, or accept any responsibility for helping to keep the place up. For the most part though, they are a good bunch, and it is a pleasant and fun community.

Worthington is built on a re-claimed landfill but it usually has a good amount of grass and a nice slope so the dogs can get really lots of exercise. The dogs love it and there is much chasing and playing.

My dog-pal and I have been to Worthington well over 200 times.

I think $40 for a year's access to this facility...