Articles
Welcome to Lincoln's Dog Parks
What is a Dog Park?
Dog parks, sometimes referred to as “off-leash” parks, are fenced-in areas where owners may safely allow their dogs to exercise, play, and socialize with other dogs. Lincolnites currently enjoy two dog parks. The first, Rickman’s Run, with 26 acres of beautiful rolling landscape, mature trees, and a natural waterway, is located just southeast of 70th and Holmes Lake roads. Our community’s second dog park, Oak Lake Dog Park, is also a large park (about 20 acres). With ample parking, it is conveniently located at 1st and Cornhusker Hwy, just northwest of downtown, close the University of Nebraska Campus, Memorial Stadium, Pinnacle Arena, and the new Haymarket Park retail district. |
Written by Jordan Brasch, Past President |
Although the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department built these parks, the users themselves, the Friends of the Dog Park, Inc., and the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department manage them.
Friends of the Dog Parks, Inc.
In the mid-1990’s, Friends of the Dog Parks, Inc. was founded by citizens with the foresight and dedication to work toward the establishment and maintenance of Lincoln dog parks for all future generations to enjoy. Today, Friends of the Dog Parks actively works in conjunction with individuals, businesses, and city officials to promote, create, and improve off-leash parks, as well as the off-leash park experience, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
What are the Benefits of Dog Parks?
Off-leash parks not only benefit our canine friends, but our citizens and our community also benefit in numerous ways as well**. Some of these benefits are obvious and immediate, while others may be less so. As you tour our website and visit our dog parks, keep in mind the following list of benefits that nearly everyone enjoys from our Lincoln dog parks!
**While we all benefit from the Lincoln dog parks there is no usage charge. This is in part due to the efforts of our all-volunteer, non-profit 501c3 organization and the funding which we primarily receive from public grants and private donations.
What Makes a Good Dog Park?
Here in Lincoln, we have two great dog parks, but there is always room for improvement, as very few dog parks (or dogs, for that matter) are perfect. However, even a few small improvements can go a long way in eliminating potential problem areas and making our dog parks even better places to be!
We Need Your Help!
The Lincoln Parks and Recreation department is currently performing a survey to guide dog park improvement as well as the construction of new dog parks in the future. The survey can be found here. They are interested in your input.
Please tell the Parks and Recreation department not only what you like about our dog parks, but also where you think can they use improvement. At the end of the survey there is a separate area for comments. The information below is to you help you in completing that section of the form. It has been prepared to assist you in communicating your own comments and suggestions to the Lincoln Parks and Recreation department. This list has been collected via feedback from individual dog park users like you, as well as information provided by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
What Are you Concerns?
Friends of the Dog Parks, Inc.
In the mid-1990’s, Friends of the Dog Parks, Inc. was founded by citizens with the foresight and dedication to work toward the establishment and maintenance of Lincoln dog parks for all future generations to enjoy. Today, Friends of the Dog Parks actively works in conjunction with individuals, businesses, and city officials to promote, create, and improve off-leash parks, as well as the off-leash park experience, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
What are the Benefits of Dog Parks?
Off-leash parks not only benefit our canine friends, but our citizens and our community also benefit in numerous ways as well**. Some of these benefits are obvious and immediate, while others may be less so. As you tour our website and visit our dog parks, keep in mind the following list of benefits that nearly everyone enjoys from our Lincoln dog parks!
- Well-exercised dogs are healthy, happy, and make better neighbors.
- Dog parks create a sense of community and forge friendships.
- Dog parks help break the ice between strangers.
- Dog parks add open space, beauty, and livability to urban and densely populated areas.
- Dog parks benefit apartment dwellers and homeowners with small or unfenced yards.
- Dog parks promote responsible pet ownership and provide alternative means to educate dog owners.
- Dog parks strengthen the bond between owners and their dogs. Bettering that relationship makes it less likely that the pet will experience behavioral issues, which may lead the owner surrendering their dog to a shelter.
- Dogs and dog parks discourage crime and loitering.
- Dog parks raise property values. And, for those near the park, this can be a significant increase.
- Dog parks have become a sought-after amenity among people relocating to the community.
- It’s estimated that there are 1 in 5 households in Lincoln, Nebraska that have a dog as member. That’s over 44,000 dogs!
**While we all benefit from the Lincoln dog parks there is no usage charge. This is in part due to the efforts of our all-volunteer, non-profit 501c3 organization and the funding which we primarily receive from public grants and private donations.
What Makes a Good Dog Park?
Here in Lincoln, we have two great dog parks, but there is always room for improvement, as very few dog parks (or dogs, for that matter) are perfect. However, even a few small improvements can go a long way in eliminating potential problem areas and making our dog parks even better places to be!
We Need Your Help!
The Lincoln Parks and Recreation department is currently performing a survey to guide dog park improvement as well as the construction of new dog parks in the future. The survey can be found here. They are interested in your input.
Please tell the Parks and Recreation department not only what you like about our dog parks, but also where you think can they use improvement. At the end of the survey there is a separate area for comments. The information below is to you help you in completing that section of the form. It has been prepared to assist you in communicating your own comments and suggestions to the Lincoln Parks and Recreation department. This list has been collected via feedback from individual dog park users like you, as well as information provided by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
What Are you Concerns?
- Ample and convenient bags and garbage cans for dog cleanup
- Secure fencing
- Drinking water
- Shade
- Seating
- Shelter from sun, wind, rain, and or cold
- Enough park capacity to avoid overcrowding, including ample space at gates
- Multiple entrances and/or separate entrance and exit gates
- Natural features within the park such as hills, trees, and creeks
- Access to Lincoln’s existing bike trail network
- Multiple parking lots
- Paved parking lots
- Lighted parking lots
- Signage for park rules and safety concerns
- Controlling dogs who play rough or bully
- Enforcement of existing park rules
- Area for smaller dogs; e.g., under 20 lbs.
- Separate entrance to smaller dog area
- Agility equipment
- Improved trail network within the dog park
- Rocked, wood chipped, or paved trails within the dog park
- Lighted trails
- Wood chips in muddy areas
- Restrooms
- User fees earmarked for improvements and new dog parks
- “Check-off’s” for improvements and new parks
- Public recognition for private donors who fund dog park improvements
- Mowing and snow removal