Meadow Run Dog Park — Attraction in Oshtemo Charter Township

We loved Meadow Run at first! Our pup loved going swimming and running around. Our dog unfortunately was able to jump the fences between the different sections of the dog park, which is something we began to work on her with. Patty gave us a shock collar to borrow and try on her, which we were very grateful of. No more than a week after that, our dog picked up kennel cough from the park, which I know can happen and was not upset about. So we did not use the collar on her while she was sick and we could not take her anywhere. Well our first visit back to the park after being cleared of kennel cough, our dog listened when we told her not jump the fence, which was a big step for her especially being extremely excited and a high energy dog. She went for a swim after we let her in and she found a dog to run and play with. Well mid sprint she jumped the fence to the bigger part of the park. I yelled at her and immediately begin walking towards her and so did my fiancé. We saw her run up to a small dog that had recently entered the park, who immediately started lunging and snapping at our dog. Our dog is only 9 months old and is a very high energy dog. She took it as the other dog wanted to play and started jumping around and trying to play. The owner to the other dog grabbed her by the fur on the back of her neck and started dragging her away. We could hear her crying across the field. My fiancé ran over there and said he would appreciate if he just grabbed her by the collar and the other owner started saying she was attacking their dog and she was growling and trying to bite him. First of all, our dog does not have an aggressive bone in her body. She was attacked twice at Meadow Run and just rolled on her back and took it. She runs away and gets intimidated by other dogs. Patty, the owner then walked up and began being extremely rude to us when she was not there for a the whole incident. She started implying that we were bad owners, had no control over our dog, and that we needed to go see a trainer. She was very accusatory and did not even give us a chance. She sided with the other members right away, who were older than us and members for longer. She talked down to us and it felt like it was because we were younger than the other members. When you start a membership at the park they give you a booklet of park guidelines and what to look out for. In there it specifically states that different types of dogs have different play styles... well our dog was playing the way she always plays when the incident occurred because that is her play style. The only dog that was displaying any signs of being aggressive was the other dog, and it's owners did not get a talking to about the behavior of their dog. If it is a concern about the way smaller dogs will interact with larger, higher energy dogs, then there should be a small dog only entrance and small dog only area.

After this happened we left the park and on our way out another member asked us if we were leaving. I responded saying yes and gave him a quick run down of why. He even said he saw the guy grab her and heard her crying.

I emailed Patty that day saying we would no longer be using our membership and how the way were treated was unacceptable. She responded saying sorry if her frustration was surfacing and that she would give me a refund. I did not even care about a refund, I wanted an apology for being talked down to and insulted. Never before have I felt like I was treated differently because of my age, but leaving Meadow Run that day my fiancé and I left saying that same exact thing, that it felt largely due to being younger.

The park is nice and you meet a lot of nice people, but it's not worth being treated poorly, especially with high their membership prices are. We go to River Oaks dog park in Galesburg and I would recommend that park...

Stopped by for info in morning. Went to vet to get vaccine proof. Brought my English Cocker along with multi-page form - an 8 year old dog who I purchased and re-homed two years ago during covid. I answered honestly in that I didn't have any history of her prior to my purchase, but that she is territorial of her grounds and little experience with her around other dogs. Has never bitten or gotten into fights, and has separation anxiety but loves to run around. Even though another dog came in while being "interviewed" which came nose to nose with no incident, we not enough for less than friendly interviewer. Left, frustrated.

Update: A year later - My cocker mentioned above passed away early 2024. She was a lovely, friendly dog, but I replaced her month later with a Sheepadoodle, joined the Park, attended the training at Tip Top Tails, and visit The Thirsty Hound on a regular basis. The owner and staff have all been welcoming and supportive, the other members sociable, and the canines playful friends for my dog, Max. The biggest challenge I have is getting Max to get into the car to leave once we're there.

My perception has changed, and the Park is our favorite...

My family has had a membership to Meadow Run Dog Park for two years. We are getting ready to sign up for year three. Meadow Run is a fabulous place to take your dog. It is clean, well maintained and large. The staff is simply outstanding. The members, both human and canine, are friendly as well. There are fun events to attend for dogs and for humans! There is also a place set aside for the more shy dogs and or shy humans. The dogs are monitored for temperament so that only friendly dogs are allowed. With friendly dogs also come friendly humans. ;) It is one of the happiest places on earth, if you are a dog lover. All the dogs run and play merrily with abandon. It is great to have a safe place to allow my dog to run and for my family to get some exercise as well. Feel free to try it for a day. It is well worth the time...