Fountain Hills Off-Leash Dog Park

One of the entrances to the Fountain Hills Dog Park.

Fountain Hills has a beautiful off-leash dog park recently enhanced as part of the newly redesigned Desert Vista Park. The park was reopened in the fall of 2008 and has many new upgrades for both dogs and their owners.

The first and most notable upgrade of the Fountain Hills Dog Park redesign is the installation of lights. The low level lighting keeps the night-sky in Fountain Hills preserved, but at the same time allows the park to now stay open until 11pm. This is perfect for those hot summer nights when it’s more comfortable to be outside after sunset. Another wonderful enhancement is the addition of several covered ramadas. These offer a break from the sun as well as a perfect place for you to sit and relax while your dog plays and socializes.

The park also has more parking and two entrances now instead of one. The large dog area is separated from the small dog area by a nicely landscaped, raised planter-bed in addition to a fence. Before this upgrade small and large dogs would occasionally run up-and-down the fence line agitating each other into a furious storm of barking and growling. The park offers water fountains and small dipping pools for the dogs too.

Owners relax in a ramada in the small-dog section of the Dog Park.

The dog park is a section of the newly-renovated Desert Vista Park which offers walking paths, restrooms, playgrounds, lighted soccer fields, and a skate park. You’ll love spending time with your furry friend at this beautiful park. Best of all, you won’t find many other dog parks in the Valley with the mountain views this park offers!

Fountain Hills residents can thank ADOG (Association of Dog Owners Group) for the original genesis of the dog park. After a few years of dedicated effort by the ADOG charter members, the original park was opened on December 11, 1999. Although the Town of Fountain Hills Parks and Recreation department owns and operates the park, ADOG is still busy advocating and raising money for enhancements to the park as well as organizing pet charity events. In April 2010, ADOG and Phoenix Animal Care Coalition presented the Paws Around the Fountain Pet Adoptathon. This event featured over 40 rescue groups responsible for rescuing dogs, cats, and horses as well as other pets.

Fountain Hills Dog Park Rules

In addition to Desert Vista Park Rules, the following rules apply to the Dog Park:

Dogs must wear a visible and current license.
Dog waste must be removed and properly disposed of.
Aggressive dog behavior is not permitted within the facility.
Gates must be kept closed at all times.
Dog handlers must be within the facility and supervise their dogs at all times.
Dog handlers must carry on their person a standard six-foot leash.
Female dogs in heat are not permitted in this facility.
Any damage done to the park (i.e. digging) must be repaired by dog handler.
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Dogs must be leashed until completely inside enclosed area.
All dog handlers not complying with these rules can be asked to leave or cited if appropriate.

Fountain Hills Dog Park Related Links:

The Fountain Hills Dog park viewed from a walking path in Desert Vista Park. Four Peaks and Superstition mountains in the background!