Gary B Jones Park for People and Pups — Attraction in Tamarac

I've frequented this park for over 2 years and it is the only park I take my dogs, until now. My most recent & now final visit on 1/30/21 resulted in both of my dogs contracting kennel cough 2 days later. Symptoms were reverse sneezing/violent snorting, bloody noses, terrible dry cough/hacking and a lot of mucus.

After 3 trips to the vet and confirmed diagnosis, I contacted Tamarac Parks & Rec department to notify them last week, as this is highly contagious. Dog owners have the right to know this is going around. Even though my dogs are vaccinated yearly, vaccinated dogs are still susceptible to this highly contagious respiratory disease, per my vet. In addition, my vet confirmed a handful of kennel cough cases in this park and patients in Tamarac just this month and it's only 2/13/21. I realize this is a risk in any area with a concentrated number of dogs, however, in 30+ years, no dog I've ever had has ever come down with kennel cough.

After my phone call, I was assured some notice would go out to inform residents. I have yet to see or receive any email notification from the city regarding this incident or see anything on Tamarac's website or the park's informing park-goers kennel cough is going around. This is extremely disappointing.

For months now, the maintenance at this park has been lacking. The washing/cleaning station has been without a hose; the water fountains are clogged/don't work and are not well kept. Aside from this awful incident, I do love how open it is & there are no blind spots while watching your pups and plenty of poop bag stations. Unfortunately, we won't be going...

Big fenced in part. Two areas, one for the big dogs and one for the small dogs. The big dog area (I have a medium sized dog) has plenty running space There are three large pavilions on site. 1 in the small dog area, 1 in the big dog area, and one in the common area where There is a faucet where you can wash your dog off in the common area Owners that I have meet in the the big dog area are very mindful of their pets and clean up after them Maintenance happens at least every other week to keep the grass nice and to make sure there are no muddy areas

Side Note: I really really really love this part and I only come to it early in the mornings and go right into the big dog area. The big dog owners seem very nice and know how to handle other big dogs.

I've been told multiple times that there have been issues in the small dog area with owners just being rude and turning people away. I haven't seen any of that yet, but just for warning if you have a...

The patrons of this doggie park are not welcoming AT ALL! To be more specific, it is the elderly patrons who sit with their dogs on the side for pups 25lbs and under. My husband and I have gone to this park several times with our 6 month old playful puppy, and each time we are met with glares and eye rolls. These patrons of the park have older dogs who are not playful and do not want to socialize with our puppy. This is completely understandable and fine, but the demeanor in which the elderly patrons look at us and speak condescendingly that is the problem. They have a clique formed that we by no means want to be a part of, but the scoffs and rude behavior is just not necessary...especially from such MATURE adults. In short, if your dog is 25lbs or smaller, young, and playful in spirit...don't take him/her to Gary B. Jones!! Find a place where you and your precious pup will feel welcomed and free...