Simmonds Family Dog Park — Attraction in Whitewater Township

Absolutely love this dog park!! I just recently began regularly visiting this dog park & it has become our family’s favorite one yet...It’s been about 5 weeks now and I’m starting to occasionally recognize faces and some regular dog visitors. Awesome place! I had to laugh when I read a recent comment posted about someone being nervous while small children were out in the field On two separate occasions, the parents of two LITTLE kids (both under age of three maybe) where the toddlers are running around the big dog field a good 15 feet away from the parents and most of time with their backs turned while they play fetch with their dog. The toddlers are not misbehaving at all, but the parents are just allowing the kids to run around free in the Big Dog field with us while the parents are playing fetch with their pups. It made me nervous as heck!! And I’m a mom of little ones, however, this is a recipe for disaster. And, although I love and trust my golden lab and when she’s gotten near their end of the field with the “pack” I call her and she returns to me. But, today there was a pack of about 15 large breeds (which included two wolf-hybrids that were beautiful and well behaved I must say :-)), but the pack was playing pretty hard core at times... I saw one of the toddlers get knocked over on accident when the dogs were running by, the kid was fine and got back up...but they were a good 10 feet away from parents at times with backs turned even as this roudy pack of dogs was at their end of the field. I was so nervous watching this! However, I didn’t think it was my place to go over introduce myself and then give my parenting advice, Lol... as I’ve learned has to be given graciously (as I’m sure they would have told me to mind my own business). But, I’m kinda new to the dog park etiquette and was just curious if there are rules about little kids running around in the big dog breed field? I guess it stands to reason that if smaller dogs are supposed to go in a separate field from the large breeds, shouldn’t small kids be as well? I simply was worried that because of the lack of supervision, a small toddler could potentially get injured and to no fault of the dogs as they are just playing. Any feedback or info would be greatly appreciated...that way if I do run into this family a 3rd time I’ll feel better about how to handle it and hopefully also not offend...

We have been regulars at the dog park for almost 3 years. We have always loved it. Sadly, our last few visits have been bad experiences. I think it has to do with the recent construction, as well as new visitors who aren't familiar with dog park etiquette. Could you remind visitors of the following? (1) Dogs in the park often stand at the gate to greet new dogs coming in. If a dog is not with you or its owner, DO NOT let it escape when you open the gate! (2)There is a separate big dog area and little dog area FOR A REASON. Unless your little dog is extremely mellow and not threatened when a bigger dog tries to play with it, DO NOT bring it into the big dog area. Our 45 pound beagle puppy is high energy and very playful. We've had 2 instances recently where little tiny dogs have become aggressive to her, and she gets aggressive in defense. (3) Unless there is imminent danger to the dogs, DO NOT pick up someone else's dog and hit or throw it! If the dogs' interaction is becoming too aggressive, hold them apart, or pick up and remove YOUR OWN DOG!

My husband and I witnessed someone abuse our dog at the park today by grabbing her by the harness and THROWING HER. Needless to say, we had words, left, and...

No one from the county is monitoring the park and the irresponsible people who don't care how their dogs behave. I can not bring my dog after it was attacked today by a German Shepard and a Huskey owned by the same person who sat and watched with no effort to get her dogs off of my 8 month old puppy. I had to do it myself. No response from the rangers until hours later. I have also witnessed other instances where aggressive dogs are allowed to behave how ever they want. It took 2 people laying on the aggressive dog to let go of the dog it attacked. It's a shame and eventually this will be a good idea that the family that donated their property and money had for this but will be waisted when a lawsuit comes up here soon I am sure. It's only a matter of time that a dog will be killed and probably a person will be injured. My park support is no more. I will never go there again and encourage responsible dog owners to re think bringing their dogs there. To bad the county is not...