My senior dog and I love this dog park! How could you not ā¤ļø a dog park where you can buy a beer or a soda and lounge in the sun whilst your pooch makes friends!
My boxer Bentley is almost 13 years old and he loves to socialize with people and dogs. He will pout if people donāt stop and pet him on the street. However, due to his age and his old dog bones, traditional wide open dog parks or off leash trails are very hard for him to keep up with the other dogs. Bentley doesnāt jump anymore, he runs only short distances and I can keep pace with him at a jog. I met some other boxer owns awhile back and one day we all agreed to meet at Dogwood Play Park to visit and let the dogs play. This was my first visit and I was really pleased to see there were a good amount of dogs and owners milling about talking, having drinks and actually attending to their dogs!!! One look at Bentley and I knew he was in what I image his version of heaven is. The park is quite a large open space but contained to what looks like two housing plots. All the dogs had plenty of room to play and Bentley could keep up with his new puppy pals. Whenever he would get tired of being with the other dogs he would cost the different groups and individual dog owners. The staff of friendly and since (obviously) you are required to clean up after your pet they do provide bags, waste cans, recycling (for your drink bottles) sanitary sprays and mops/hoses for the big messes. Bentley and I have been to Dogwood Play Park quite a few times since our original visit and each time we have had a great experience with the faculty staff, the other dogs and the dog owners! Attentive...
Ā Ā Ā Read moreMy husband and I wanted to take our dog and 9 month old daughter (who has been going to regular outdoor dog parks since she was 2 weeks old) to a dog park today but the weather suddenly changed and started pouring. I felt bad for our dog so I remembered someone mentioning an indoor dog park in Lake City so we decided to give it a shot. We walk in and it's dark, nobody playing with their dog just sitting along the edge, dogs just roaming around on a bare cement floor and the check-in person looked at my 9 month old and said "no minors" she said "we are more of a bar and we do a good job of making that clear on our website" well, we didn't expect to go there that day but I understood that is the law. No problem. They are a "bar" even though all I saw was beer. They might have more but that was not my purpose. I suggested to my husband I can sit in the car with the baby while they play around for a little bit since we made the trip there. Then the lady said "well, it's $10 and we need to see his papers" ????? Papers? "We need his medical history. Again, it's on the website" I found this both embarrassing and pretty hilarious at the same time. When we go to indoor playhouses for babies, they don't even ask for stuff like that. I'm glad we got a good idea of this place so we know we don't need to come back. If I want expensive beer, I'll go to a real bar. If I actually want to go to a dog park and interact/play with my dog, I will go to a real dog park. Besides, the thought of drinking beer while constantly smelling dog pee and poop doesn't seem pleasant to me. Good business idea in theory but a pretty...
Ā Ā Ā Read moreDogwood will always hold a special place in my heart because I actually met my husband there, and we just got married over the weekend! Beyond that, it is such an incredible community hub for dog lovers. I was a member for about a year before we moved away, and I can honestly say there is nothing else quite like it.
The space is beautifully designed and thoughtfully set up so both people and pups can enjoy themselves. My dog is a bit mischievous and loves to stir up trouble, but the Dogwood team and the other members were always so kind, patient, and welcoming. I also really appreciate how much care Tara and Lex put into creating a safe and comfortable environment. They are on top of making sure every dog is vaccinated and spayed or neutered, which gives everyone peace of mind. I also love that kids are not allowed, especially since my dog is not a fan of them. It makes for a much more relaxed and stress-free experience for both of us.
What makes Dogwood truly special is the community Tara and Lex have built. You do not just come here to let your dog run around. You meet people, make friends, and become part of something really unique. I met so many wonderful fellow dog parents, and it always felt like such a warm, inclusive space.
If you are considering becoming a member, do it. Whether your dog is shy, energetic, or a little mischievous like mine, this is the perfect place for them to thrive and for you to enjoy a great drink while they do. I will always be grateful for the memories made here, and Dogwood will forever be one of my favorite...
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