Get To Know Canine Recreation

Did you know that DPR now has 4 dog parks for dogs to enjoy off-leash play!? Piney Wood Dog Park, Northgate Dog Park, the Downtown Dog Park (on the corner of Roxboro and Elliott Streets), and our newest dog park, the PetsSafe® Dog Park located at Duke Park. Each park has a large and small dog area,waste bag dispensers as well as different additional amenities.

The Small Dog areas are meant for dogs who are 15 inches or smaller and 30 pounds and under. The Large Dog areas are meant for dogs who are 15 inches or taller and 30 pounds and over. For those people who have dogs of multiple sizes or dogs that need a neutral space to meet new dogs, Piney Wood Dog Park offers 2 additional areas for dog park participants. The program area offers an open area for group interaction and meetings. This area is available on a first come first serve basis. There is also a large entry area between the front entrance and the large dog area that allows owners to introduce new dogs to each other.

Use of the dog parks does require the purchase of a dog park tag for each of your dogs annually. Tags can be purchased online, in person at the DPR Administrative Offices downtown, 400 Cleveland Street, or by mail. Vaccination records and a signed Dog Park Waiver form are required when registering. All dogs must wear their current dog park tag while playing in the park.

Required Vaccinations 

To ensure that we provide a healthy environment for all participants we have adopted the vaccination requirements recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association. All participants are required to show proof that their dogs have the following vaccinations before a dog park tag can be issued; a rabies vaccine obtained annually or every 3 years; a Distemper/Parvo vaccine in any of its variations obtained annually or every 3 year) or in lieu of vaccinations an annual titer test; the Bordetella vaccination received with the last 11 months; and a fecal exam completed within the last 11 months showing the results negative or no parasites seen.

Your vet may also recommend the Canine Influenza Virus H3N8 and H3N2 vaccine annually and the Leptospirosis vaccine annually for your dog since they will be exposed to other dogs at the park. These vaccinations are not yet considered core vaccines.

Canine Special Events

Canines and their families can also participate in the 5 canine events that DPR hosts annually. The Dog-Gone Egg Hunt in the spring at West Point on the Eno, Canine Field Day in May, Pooch Plunge at the end of summer, Barktoberfest in October and Santa Paws in December offer different activities for canines and their families to participant in. Find out more about these events by visiting our website.

Contact Us

If you have questions about the dog park or Canine Recreation in general, email Durham Dog Parks or call 919-560-4355, ext. 27212. If you have safety concerns, please report them by calling 911.