Chaparral Dog Park — Attraction in Scottsdale

I’ve been going to the Chaparral Dog Park in Scottsdale for almost 20 years. It is by far and without a doubt the best dog park in the Phoenix metro area. It’s clean, well lighted and has three large grassy areas for the dogs to play (although one grassy area is kept closed to let the grass grow). I go there to let my dogs run around and play while I enjoy talking to other dog owners and just relaxing. As a matter of fact over the years I’ve met some of my best friends there. I’ve found that the other dog parents are generally polite, friendly and helpful.

However, I’ve occasionally encountered rude people. Generally, the best policy is to just ignore them and walk away. But this past Saturday night (06/25/2022) I experienced something completely outrageous in all my 20 years patronizing this park. My five months old, 21lb. puppy got into a tussle with another puppy as dogs often sometimes do when playing. As soon as I saw it I ran over and grabbed my dog. The owner of the other dog became completely unhinged. He began swearing at me and calling me obscene names. I didn’t respond back in kind. I just walked away with my dog to the other side of the park and sat on one of the benches.

But this unhappy dog owner wouldn’t let the matter drop. He walked over to me and ordered me to leave the park immediately. Really? He’s the park ranger all of a sudden? And then it got worse. He began screaming obscene and vulgar homophobic slurs at me. I’m not gay, but what if another person was? No one should be subjected to this kind of verbal abuse, harassment and threats. This man’s behavior was completely outside the bounds of all civility and no one should be subject to this type of abuse.

People go to this park to have fun and relax with their four legged friends. Over the years I’ve seen many dog fights. It happens at dog parks. But responsible dog parents handle these situations in responsible and mature ways without resorting to name calling and threats. As a matter of fact in 2011 I was bitten by a dog at this park. The dog’s owner ran up to me and asked me if I was okay and whether I needed a ride to the hospital (I was bleeding). I thanked her for the offer, but declined and drove myself to the hospital instead. Before I left the park that night we exchanged emails and she politely told me that she would email me a copy of her dog’s proof of rabies vaccination.

Ironically in the picture attached, this rude individual is standing in front of the list of rules and regulations for the dog park. Among other things, this list includes no verbal abuse, no threats or threatening behaviors, and no harassment. This extremely angry and vulgar man should take the time to review the Chaparral dog park list of rules. If you see this person at the park I would recommend staying as far away from him as possible. Behavior like his should never...

So I bring my lil girl here every day or every other day in the summer (cuz it’s just to damn hot!) and for the most part I LOVE IT. My only small issue is the sides and when people don’t follow the directions. Look I love all dogs and untill this one I always had a big dog, but HERE IS THE 100 % truth IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH UR DOG AND HOW NICE OR PASSIVE THEY ARE. The fact is even if it never gets aggressive if ur big dog and my tiny dog are running and playing say they don’t see eachother and they collide(it can happen and it’s no one’s fault I get that ),,BUT 100% of the time ur big dog getting hit by my tiny dog Will be totally fine….but mine can be severely injured. Just simply because of the size also, God for bid there be an actual fight my baby would have no chance its like bring a knife to a gun fight. whereas if two little ones get into a fight most likely things are going to be fine or at least there is way more of a chance for that. because you know we can get a hold of the situation and it’s not severely one-sided but if your dog attacked my dog, there’s no way mine would live or wouldn’t be hurt. Your dog will never probably get hurt by my dog. She’s 8 pounds and I will say that if anything were to happen to my dog we’re gonna have problems, so that’s why I think it needs to be separated, a little dog we just have really no chance whether it be accidental collision or whether it because they’re playing to rough or because one is aggressive, its nothing against the big dog’s but it simply comes back to the fact that there isn’t any situation or encounter we’re my tiny dog would come out unsaved or unhurt against a big dog. she wouldnt have a chance. ❌so please keep your big dogs on the big side❌ it’s kinda like boys and girls sports … it’s not to say some can’t hang but facts are facts boys are bigger and stronger so we keep the sports separated as to protect the girls Safty THATS how u need to look at big dogs and little dog pls … Sorry about the long rant but I just really want to prevent anything from happening, cuz it won’t be good for anyone if I end up having to...

Great dogs, good lighting, places to sit, bags for poop, and water for the dogs - what more could you ask for? The park is kept up very well. There are three large areas for the dogs to run around -- two for active dogs and one for less-active dogs. They only have one active dog area open at a time, alternating monthly to keep the park grounds and grass healthy. There are water fountains for both dogs and humans inside the park's enclosed off-leash areas and in the entrance plaza. As of now, June 16, 2018, they have just finished completely resodding one of the two active areas. The project has taken a while to complete, so the active dogs have been in the same play area for March, April, May, and June so far. This wouldn't normally be a big deal, but they've had the water to the fountain in the enclosed area shut off since mid-April due to a flooding and drainage issue at the base of the fountain. The plaza fountains are still working, though. While the water issue is still going on, be sure to bring at least a bowl or container for your dog to drink out of and some water; you can always fill a container in the plaza as you enter in case you don't have any water with you, but it's much easier to bring your own. (I'll try to amend my review once the refurbished area has been reopened and the water fountains are once again working.) The park opens at sun-up and closes at 10:00pm sharp. (At 10:00pm, all of the lights shut off, and at 10:02pm, the sprinklers go on! I've seen many non-believing slow-pokes get wet.). The owners and dogs are very friendly. In the long time I've been coming here, I've only ever seen one dog fight, and the owners keep very good tabs on their dogs, so the fight I did witness was broken up extremely quickly, and there were no injuries. For anyone worried, like me, pitbulls are at a bare minimum here. As expected, the busy times are weekends in nice weather and after work during the week in any weather. With conscientious, friendly dog parents and friendly, playful dogs, this is a great park to bring...