Millbrook Exchange Park — Attraction in Raleigh

I'm writing this review for the dog park. The actual dog park is very nice. There is a section for large dogs and a section for small dogs. This was my first time visiting and my dog is medium size and quite energetic so I elected to go to the large dog section. My dog was loves other dogs and once released she ran towards the center of the park. The park was already being visited by approximately 20 other dogs and their owners. The owners seemed to know one another as they were all sitting together talking and not watching their dogs - at all. Very quickly 4 - 5 very large dogs began asserting their dominance over my 25lb dog. The behavior included the first dog chasing then holding my dog to the ground by grabbng my dog around the throat and holding it to the ground while two other dogs sat or laid on top of her. She was yelping and squeeling for help. I yelled to the "pack" of owners asking the owners of the dominant dogs to help me, no one moved. My sister, who was with me, also yelled for help. One of the owners yelled back, "it's what dogs do." I went ahead and wrestled my dog loose only for her to be chased down again by the same dogs with her yelping and squeezing each time. Dogs will be dogs...that's not my issue. I am so extremely disappointed in the dog owners that frequent this park. No one was watching their dogs. They were all to busy huddled together talking...men and women. Once we left the large dog section of the dog park, we went to the small dog section and I sat and witnessed very dominant dogs ruling the large dog section without owner intervention. I witnessed dogs pooping without owners watching or cleaning up after their dogs. Who ever this "pack" of owners are, they should be ashamed. If you take your dog to a dog park it is your responsibility to watch your dog every moment. Dogs are animals, things can happen. Be a responsible owner or don't use the park. I certainly...

While it is a great space and layout, as any others noted there are huge issues here. One is (as noted many times by others) the clique mentality here of the "long lived regulars" who think their dogs can do no wrong. One of the dogs who is a regular around 11 am-2 pm (worst time to come) bit my arm through layers of clothes and broke skin. I was trying to get my dog away from hers as it was growling and about to attack my puppy.When I told her - ZERO apology and zero offers for proof of shots. My dog was also attacked for trying to play with two "regulars" - pinned and TRAUMATIZED. Naturally, my dog is petrified of the dogs who did this. One of the owners then tried multiple times to come up to us with treats and "train" my dog to become used to hers post attack - not happening. My trainer was livid to hear this as it scares to crap out of my dog and only builds reactivity. My dog has reason to be scared, but they of course blamed my dog due to their herd mentality group. Additionally, way too many people bring kids and allow them to run around, shoot dogs w water guns or poke them w sticks. As an owner of herding dogs (one a rescue with awful experiences with kids in the past so naturally very afraid of them), this is a nightmare in real time. Parents do not watch their kids here and the regulars see it as a social clique and not a place they should watch their dogs. They will try to blame newer dogs for reacting naturally to the trauma around them as opposed to the environment. It can be good very early am (7 am) and 4 pm-5, but even then, there are many other amazing parks my dogs have had zero problems at. The culture at this...

As a park I would give it 4 stars. It is clean, has wonderful swimming pools, tennis courts galore and has great activities going all the time. I would give it 5 stars if it was located in a wooded area with hiking trials.

The two stars are for the Dog park only. We are new to Raleigh and have tried to find a good dog park. Good luck We have gone to Millbrook several times since moving here because it is has two parks for dogs. Large and small. Unfortunately it is just a large area of dirt covered with wood chips. There is no grass areas at all. Sure there are trees for shade but your dog will get very dirty, specifically after it has rained.

We have found few good pet people in this park. Many owners in the large park do not watch their dogs, clean up after their dogs and do not care how aggressive their dogs act and refuse to restrain their dog. After 10 or more attempts to justify going to Millbrook, we will no longer go back. Not only because cleaning the dog after every visit but the rude behavior and lack of personal responsibility from the owners is shameful.

Recommend - Find somewhere more friendly and clean with green space for your dog. If you want to swim, play tennis or join any number of activities? Millbrook is...