Aldergate Dog Park, Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District — Attraction in Menifee

This review is for the small dog park. It is really nice, but over the last several months has become, in my opinion, too small for the number of dogs that are now coming there. I have counted up to 27 dogs. The average at peak time is probably around 18. The problem is that your dog can be trampled or knocked over when the dogs "run the fence" --dogs from the big dog park come up and run the fence. And, you have to be very careful of negligent owners. There is "regular" (on weekends primarily) who throws the ball for her dog Dallas. She cannot throw. She has almost hit people, including me, and I witnessed her hitting two dogs. One was Chewy, a cute, tiny little dog that she hit in the side. The other was my dog, Cody, about 19 pounds...on his head, ON THE SAME DAY. My dog apparently suffered a seizure right after that because he shivered, jerked his head, and could not walk normally---he jerked and could not control his legs. So three things you should know: run, not walk if you see this woman throwing the ball; she's nice but does NOT CARE. Actions speak louder than words...she kept throwing the ball after hitting one dog and almost hitting people. Second, the majority of dog park people will try to smooth it over, tell you your dog is fine...anything to avoid a conflict or the truth. Third, do not believe her when she says she is going to stop throwing the ball. She said that after hitting Chewy, and i believed her. Wrong. She resumed throwing the ball, and my dog was injured. She is irresponsible and self-serving. She needs to take her ball...

This use to have a nice dog park but due to the dispute over who is watering the grass they took out all the green - grass bushes etc..... Without vegetation the dirt is getting an distinct odor to it.

I moved up here from Poway where the dog park was well groomed and they had stadium lights for the evening. It is so hot during the day in the summer for the dogs it would be a nice place where we could let our dogs run after the sun goes down.. I use to have glow in the dark toys and lit collars. And for those people who have to rush home from work make dinner in the winter time it is too dark to take the dog here. I know that there were a lot of people who would gather walk their dog and bring the kids. There are a lot of dog owners and with large dogs that would really appreciate restoring the vegetation and put a few up grades in. The little park off Newport is cute if you have a teacup poodle but for a large dog to run and get the chase a ball it has nothing to offer. Large dogs need to run and they are social creatures. I never knew dogs made friends until I started going to a dog park. I would know how to approach the city of Menifee on this. I know it would take funds but I think it would be a great asset for the city. I know Poway had other cities coming to visit to use our park as a model. So far I love Menifee I just think fixing up the dog park would effect a lot of people. It is a waste of land and the attendance is dropping off. Dogs coming home stinking...

Really great place to bring a puppy once they're old enough. I ended up with a very timid and scared dog and have been bringing him off and on for a few months. Over the last month I've been much more consistent with it. There are plenty of really kind people that come! It can get cliquey with people that have been there for a while, but for the most part the people and especially the dogs are nice.

The big thing I recommend is to not bring your own toys or leave water unattended as there are a few dogs that will claim them and destroy them, and owners that will not try hard to keep there dog from doing as much.

Plenty of tennis balls around, and providef poop bags and also a scoop to clean up. There are places to sit, and if it's the right time of day they will be in the shade. However, some people do bring their own chairs and that seems like a great idea!

I haven't personally had issues with others, and only once was another dog too much for my dog who is also just very timid. Overall, it's been a great experience and my dog has slowly been coming out...