'Pooch Playland' perfect for pets

Talk about it

Beyond a small tar road, off the beaten path is a beautiful, secluded addition to Alexandria’s park system.

This park has a unique feature to it. Pooch Playland, as it was named last fall by Marci Arras, is a safe place for dogs to play. Two fenced-in areas (150 feet by 150 feet each) make up this one-of-a-kind local park.

“It’s the first one [dog park] in this area,” said Bill Thoennes, Alexandria park director. “There are others in the Twin Cities area, but it’s the first around here.”

Pooch Playland opened late last summer, and shortly after, there was a contest to find a name for the park.

Sara Carlson, chair of the park board, said that this portion of the park has been used a lot. “We’re excited that it’s getting a lot of use. People are using it, and they’re using it respectfully,” she said.

Indeed, Pooch Playland has gone over very well with the public. More and more people are learning about it every day and the park department has received many good reports about the park from its users.

By late summer or early fall, the park department hopes to install ramps, jumps, culverts and agility equipment for dogs to play on. “There won’t be an over abundance of things, just a few things in each section,” said Carlson.

The whole park encompasses 21 acres of city-owned land. Thoennes said that they are hoping to incorporate it with trails going to the new elementary school as well as walking trails that encircle Lake Connie. A gazebo and little picnic areas are expected to go up late this fall, or early in the winter.

Carlson said that they’re not rushing into anything as far as how the park will be developed, because it’s such a beautiful location. “It’s a work in progress,” Thoennes said.

Even without the fancy park structures, this park is still a nice, serene place to go. There is an open area toward the south end of the park that is perfect for kite flying.

On a warm summer’s day, city leaders invite you to head over to this wonderful new park. “It’s a nice, beautiful, secluded area with lots of potential and lots of things to offer for families,” Thoennes said.

DOG PARK RULES

AND REGULATIONS

Pet owners must accept full responsibility for themselves and their pets while in the park.

Dogs must be fully vaccinated and free from any contagious conditions. Must be free from fleas and ticks.

Dog owners must carry a leash. Please bring dogs to and from the park on a leash. Dogs should wear their license or identification.

Dogs showing aggressiveness toward people or other dogs must be leashed immediately.

No dog known to be aggressive toward other dogs or people may enter the park.

Dogs must be under voice control and within sight of their owner. Please control excessive barking.

Owners must clean up feces deposited by their dogs. Seal waste in bags provided before disposing in designated receptacles.

No dogs that are in heat are allowed in the park.

Parents should refrain from bringing children younger than the age of 10, unless they are willing to keep the children out of harm’s way and accept full responsibility for their safety.

Do not bring rawhides, pigs ears or food into the park as dog fights may result.

Avoid over-exercising your dog on very hot days.

Please leave park in better condition than you found it.

HERE’S HOW TO

GET THERE

Head east on 7th Street. Take a right on Victor Street by Windmill Ponds. Continue south on Victor Street, even after the tar ends. A small gravel road will take you right into this secluded park, which is also just north of the site of the new elementary school.

Tags: pooch, playland, alexandria