Dog Parks?

[Lisa & Aspen]

New to Portland and would like to find some dog parks in or around the NW side! I live off 185th & NW Springville but am willing to travel if there's a truly awesome park! Being from Henderson, NV where we win awards for our parks & don't have leash laws strictly enforced has been quite a culture shock to me this week! The dog park across the street from me at PCC-ROCK Creek has a leash rule, what is that?? Why would a dog park require leashes? My Doodle want a large dog park with other off leash pals to run and play with! Can someone please please please help us find some good off leash dog parks? Thanks!!

[Charles Rocheville]

Google Hondo Dog Park, should be right up your alley.

[Rita and Fazzy]

When the weather warms up a bit - you might head out to 1000 acres dog park - it's out in Troutdale along the river and it's HUUUUUGE.  Isn't your typical dog park .... I think that it might actually live up to it's name, so it's not fenced, but the chances of your dogs "getting out" is small, but nothing is impossible.

I'm in Vancouver and we actually have a few nice, fully fenced parks up here as well, but again, that's a bit of a drive.

Hondo is a very nice park - not huge, but really nice

Rita

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Have you been to the PCC-Rock Creek dog park? I'd be very curious to know if all the dogs were on leashes, as the park has always been an off leash park. We use to go there quite frequently, but haven't been since last summer. There was no leash rule then. It's considered an off-leash dog park as far as I know. Now maybe there's a park rule that if your dog is causing problems with other dogs, aggressive behaviors, etc. you must leash your dog. I think most dog parks in the area have that rule. The park rules are usually posted near the entrance of each park. PCC-Rock Creek dog park is part of the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District. Here's a link to their website regarding their 3 off-leash dog parks in the area: THPRD 

Could it be you're confusing the PCC-Rock Creek grounds/park and the PCC-Rock Creek dog park? The dog park is a separate, enclosed area inside the PCC grounds. There are game courts all around the dog park (that do have leash rules for dogs). Just wondering.

FYI, I prefer the PCC-Rock Creek dog park to Hondo. Hondo is a nice park, but its very popular and usually, at least in the summer, very crowded. Also, there's small rolling hills in the center of the park that make keeping an eye on your dog difficult if your dog likes to roam. Perhaps for that reason, not all poops get picked up. PCC-Rock Creek is flatter with a better line of sight. I'm not a fan of winter areas in dog parks so we wait till spring before we start going again.

[Lisa & Aspen]

I actually have not entered the dog park at PCC Rock Creek! I was running yesterday about 6:30am so it was dark and I couldn't even FIND the dog park! Then later that morning (still relatively dark) I walked over and all I saw was a lady with her dog on a leash. I asked her where the dog park was & she laughed at me, saying you me this? So I assumed I was there at the dog park. Is there some magical entrance that I'm missing? I live on NW Springville Rd so I can walk to PCC Rock Creek. Let's assume I cross Springville, where do I go? Towards the tennis courts? Baseball fields? Children's play ground? Maybe I should go again tomorrow bc one of the reasons I chose this area was its vicinity to the dog park (and fantastic running). 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

When you enter the main campus entrance, go straight back until you get to a fork that goes 3 different directions. Left, straight and right. Take the right fork which will take you to the ball fields and tennis courts. Follow that road around, staying to your right. When you reach the end, take another right straight back. The dog park is at the end and to the right. Park right along the dog park, where you don't need a PCC parking permit. We had trouble finding it the first time, too :-)

This time of year, only the winter area is open. It's much smaller than the grassy main area and covered in wood chips (another reason I don't take the doodles in the winter... the wood chips tend to get stuck in their hair). Good luck! Oh, and you're lucky you live so close! Maybe we'll see you and your crew there come springtime. I'll be keeping a look out for you!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I found a map of the campus. Look for the island of green where it says, 'Bus Stop', after you enter and follow the road back. To the right of that is a narrow road that goes to the fields and courts. This map doesn't show the dog park, however, but its just below the tennis courts and parking lot, nearest to Springville Rd (a big block of green). The map isn't quite the way I remember it, especially where it turns off to the courts and fields area, but its close enough, I guess.  PCC-Rock Creek campus

[Lisa & Aspen]

Woohoo thank you so much!!!! I'll run over there later today assuming the wind lets up! We tried to run this morning but the wind was just too frigid and Aspen is actually afraid of the wind! The wood chips don't sound fun at all, luckily I had Aspen's coat trimmed down before I relocated so her coat is still growing out, I don't think the chips should be a problem, at least I hope! When is spring in Portland?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I hear ya on that danged wind! The temp isn't too bad without the wind, but those gusts go right through you! I'm not too confident we'll get out today. Spring in this area really depends on the year. Last year it arrived real early, like Feb./March. Last Spring and Summer were exceptionally dry and warm/hot too, but that was way out of our norm. Spring normally hits around April/May, and those are typically pretty wet months. Its anyone's guess what this Spring will hold and when it will arrive.

[Lisa & Aspen]

Also thank you for that link!!!!