A True Original - Thank You City of Dayton!

We would like to thank the City of Dayton for the generous support of the Patterson Park Pooch Playground. In the Summer of 2008, the City of Dayton Department of Planning and Community Development announced their neighborhood mini-grant program in which individual city neighborhoods could apply for up to $2000 in funding towards a neighborhood improvement project. The Patterson Park neighborhood applied for funding to go towards the installation of a dog park and a few weeks later found out our grant was awarded! When completed, the Patterson Park Pooch Playground will be the first dog park in the City of Dayton. It's a great compliment to our community that we have unique and thoughtful ways of constantly improving the quality of life in our neighborhood. Isn't it great to be a Patterson Park resident? We are true Dayton Originals!

Site Map

When planning the location and layout of the dog park there were several considerations...

First, the location within Jane Newcom should be unobtrusive to the existing functions of the park. Second the area needs to be big enough to allow for several dogs to run and play comfortably at one time. Finally, the site should provide ample areas of shade without being too shady to prevent healthy and continuous grass growth.


With each of these considerations in mind the follow layout was determined...

With this layout, the dog park is contained on the opposite side of the park from the sports and playground equipment allowing for distinct functional areas. Additionally, this unusual triangle-shaped portion of the park is an unsuitable for sports fields and as it stands is seldom used for anything other then the walking track. While not suitable for typical human use, this area provides ample size for dogs to play and still has enough open space adjacent to allow for the option of future dog park expansion if it is deemed necessary. Also, this area contains three mature trees and is bordered by other foliage that provides shade from the hot summer sun but is still relatively open to allow proper grass growth.


In order to safely enclose the dog park area, a six foot fence will be installed on all three sides of park area. There will be double gated dog/human entrance that will safe-guard against dog escape and there will also be a separate 10ft gate to allow the city tractors to enter for regular moving and maintenance.


In the end, this space provides a great opportunity to put a functional dog park in a place that has typically gone unused.

Why A Dog Park?

Pets have become an integral part of many American households and the Patterson Park neighborhood is no exception. With approximately 300 households in the Patterson Park horseshoe, almost half are home to one or more canine family members totalling more than 230 dogs in the neighborhood. The need for an open space where these pups can play is obvious, but beside the obvious value to our canine friends, studies have shown that dog parks are a great place for people to engage with each other over a shared interest and contribute to physical fitness and mental well being.

Many neighborhood pet owners are currently using Jane Newcome Park to exercise their dogs off-leash. However, without a designated area and proper fencing, allowing dogs off of their leashes could be dangerous for residents as well as the dogs. This safety issue has been identified a number of times at neighborhood meetings as well as in the Patterson Park Newsletter. The Pooch Playground will provide a safe place for residents to exercise with their pets without encroaching on the comfort and security of other Patterson Park neighbors.

The Patterson Park Pooch Playground will add an asset to the neighborhood that currently does not exist in any other neighborhood in Dayton or the surrounding area. Right now the closest dog park to our neighborhood is 11.3 miles or approximately 26 minutes away. This will create a marketable neighborhood asset that will aid Patterson Park in maintaining its reputation as a desirable Dayton neighborhood.