Orange Dog Park Association — Attraction in Orange

Run by volunteer board members, we consider OPDA the Top Dog Park in the Orange County area, and here are just a few of the reasons why.

The community within the park, both canine people and human canines, that are the baseline regular and consistent visitors is made up of wonderful dog loving and people loving, respectful and responsible handlers. There is a general community welcoming atmosphere along with a sense of safety for those who might be visiting for the first time with their first dog. Those that come onto the field that are not responsible or respectful dog handlers or hostile to other handlers are encouraged to perhaps visit another day. While there is inevitably that one rare bird, there really is not ever a problem.

Another key point that is really appreciated is the clean up facilities provided. Each field, there are three which I'll cover next, has poop stations positioned on the perimeter fences with a scoop and rake, stocked double sided bag dispenser, and the attached waste barrel. In each corner near the entrance gates is the watering hole. A water dispenser and fixed bowl in an area that is cemented with a drain.

There are three fields. There are two fields for large dogs which are accessed through the single entrance gate. After entering and closing the entrance gate there is a gate to the left for the field on the left along the Santa An riverbed bike trail, the other gate straight ahead for the right field. Every week one field is locked and the other open so that by rotating the field access the grass is better preserved. Both fields are grassed. Inside each field are some Harness & Leash Hanging polls. The right field has new small trees planted which will grow into more shade. The left field has the big shaded area near the left most side and also some new planted trees in the middle area. There are some benches along the fences for taking a rest from being walked by the dog. There is the Small dog field which entrance gate is located on the left side of the back fence behind the restrooms. This is where most people take their smaller dogs that are not comfortable with the larger ones, although there are a many small dog visiting the other fields. Always entertaining is when a large dog riles up a small dog on the other side of the fence and they run along the fence barking at each other. Of course the little dog wears out the larger dog in short order.

There are always balls on the field if you arrive and realize you forgot all the toys. There are also many regulars who will show up with a bucket of brand new tennis balls occasionally and toss them out on the fields.

There are rules post before you enter. It is important to read those rules, specifically the rule about No Food or Snacks on the field for both handlers or their dogs.

For a more complete understanding of why we consider this the top dog park in the area, please take your dog for a visit. Also, please keep in mind that when you are outside the perimeter fence of any of the fields, your dog must...

UPDATE: 04-9-2018

It took a year of construction and we got a mediocre dog park. The parking lot got smaller and nothing awesome was added.

Only thing new was restrooms. No water feature or obstacle course, nothing. Just more grass. They didn't even add anything to the non-dog park side. No playground, no trail access. Whoever re-designed this park should be fired. A couple of benches and tiny trees at that in about it.

Also, the layout of the 2 dog sections makes no sense. The smaller side got about 20% bigger and they removed the best big trees that gave shave for smaller ones. The big dog side got at least 50% bigger but it is divided in half by two fences. They entire park was poorly designed. A year later and Orange's only dog park had no major improvements.

What a disappointment. 👎🏻👎🏼👎🏽🐕🐩🐶💩

3-16-2017 Park is under construction, hopefully the new dog park will be great. Will review after completion.

Good size, bad parking. No grass or half dead grass.

hopefully someday the city of Orange will build a real dog park and closed this 10 year+ temporary dog park. Orange has so many great city parks, if they were to section off an area at each park. They could have great dogs parks. Sadly this place will probably be the only pathetic little DP the city of orange will ever build.

2 stars because it is...

I'll begin by saying i'm very thankful for this park. It's close to home so we can just swing by for multiple visits during the day, which makes for a very happy puppy! The dog parents are friendly and attentive so any possible issues are nipped within seconds. But.. .. The big dog side is split into two and rotated, which would be fine if they BOTH had shade. One side has a big shady tree, the other has ZERO shade. .. There is only ONE area for water. It is right by the entrance and has to be turned on for the dogs to drink. .. The lack of benches boggles my little mind! The side with no shade has 3 benches, not counting the ones at the entrance. Not sure I'll ever understand that one.. .. No lights? I had hoped for a few solar powered just so it's not pitch black at winter dusk.

So to sum it up: . No dang shade 50% of the time . No place to sit . No easy access dog water . No lighting so in daylight savings it's pretty darn dark at 5:30pm.

Despite these issues, we'll keep coming when the shady side is open!

🐶...