Eisenhower Dog Park — Attraction in Milford

This was our first visit and we will definitely be coming back. The large dog side is great for letting your dog run until it is exhausted. It was clean with what appeared to be relatively new sod. There was a notable lack of anything but grass. However, the lack of variety in landforms it made up for in size. The small dog side is sad in comparison, it is so small you might as well keep your little guy on a leash and enjoy a nearby trail. Not one little dog was in the small dog side, they were all on the big dog section. (Which is questionable.) There are poop bags at the entrance. The water fountain was not working but that may just be the time of year, our first visit was the end of November. The ground was also soaked in places even with drainage sites spread throughout the park. It has not rained much recently so I am assuming it stays wet most in large spits most of the time.

FYI: One of the regulars let us know that a dog warden comes frequently and does not hesitate to hand out tickets if your dog does not have their license on.

A note: You do need to be comfortable, or at least mentally prepared, with the fact that dogs can play rough and at time assert dominance over other dogs. The owners of the small dogs that were in the big dog section were taking a big risk, but we did not witness any major problems. We recently adopted our dog and she can be overly submissive which caused some of the more dominant dogs to behave more poorly than they would likely have otherwise. That said, one owner got into an argument with the owner of a dominant Doberman when it was putting it's mouth over my dogs neck and nibbling my dog's bottom. (Apparently the Doberman had been doing similar behavior for the past hour and some of the other patrons had had enough.) I am a dog person and stepped in to let the Dobie know that was not wanted and it stopped and let me pet it. However my girlfriend was quite upset and at one point wanted to take our dog out of the park.

Our dog had a great time. She learned how to stick up for herself a little bit and will likely do better next time. However, my girlfriend who loves dogs, but does not have as much experience with them as I do was, and still is, a little shaken. I would NOT recommend bringing children to a park like this. I believe the risk of it becoming a frightening and negative experience is too high. Even if the dogs just behave like dogs it can be too...

This evening, my wife Kayla Cohen, a dedicated special education teacher in Norwalk, CT, and I embarked on a truly memorable journey with our beloved ESA companions, Ella and Thor, both adorable golden retrievers. As we ventured out into the crisp evening air, our hearts brimming with anticipation, we knew we were in for an enchanting experience.

Accompanied by Ella, our loyal and affectionate ESA companion of two years and two months, and Thor, the energetic and playful one-year-old, our outing was infused with boundless joy and companionship. From the moment we set foot outside, the palpable sense of togetherness enveloped us, casting a warm glow upon our evening escapade.

As we strolled through the tranquil streets of our neighborhood, the rhythmic patter of paws against pavement served as a symphony of harmony, echoing our shared sense of contentment. Kayla's infectious laughter intermingled with the playful antics of Ella and Thor, painting a portrait of sheer bliss and camaraderie.

With each passing moment, our bond deepened, strengthened by the simple pleasures of companionship and mutual affection. Whether engaged in spirited games of fetch or basking in the serenity of quiet moments, our evening unfolded like a cherished chapter in the story of our lives.

As we returned home, hearts full and spirits uplifted, we knew that this evening would forever hold a special place in our hearts. For in the company of loved ones, both human and canine alike, life's greatest treasures reveal themselves in the most ordinary of moments. And tonight, amidst the laughter and the love, we found our own little slice...

The park itself is in deplorable condition & barely deserves 1 star; I added another based on the friendliness of the majority of the people who use the park. Actually, it is less of a "park" & more of a large kennel; it's just a large fenced area with one tree. The area closest to the gate has no grass, so it is a mud pit when it rains. The grassy area where the dog run is pitted with holes, making it a trip hazard, especially when it starts to get dark and when the grass gets high. There's a light at the end closest to the gate but it does not illuminate the whole area. It has a double gate system but neither shuts completely, so any dog that wants to get out can do so easily if the owner is no quick enough to stop him/her! The benches & chairs, most of which have been supplied by pet owners, are in bad condition as well. Even the parking area outside the pen is unpaved, totally uneven, & a mud pit in the when there's any precipitation.

The city does neither repairs or maintains it, which is why it is such bad shape! With all the parks & beaches in Milford, Eisenhower Park is the ONLY one where you can bring your dog EVEN ON A LEASH, and there are many areas within that park where dogs are prohibited!! So the dogs are confined to a PORTION of ONE PARK on leash and this one fenced, poorly maintained area the city laughably calls a "dog park"!! perhaps that's why when I searched for dog parks in Milford, it didn't even show up and dog parks as far...