Iowa City Dog Park ID'd as Second Best in the Nation!

Here is something that's pretty cool. Dogster recently named Iowa City's Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park one of the "10 Amazing Dog Parks You Need to See in Your Lifetime". Not only did we make the list, but we managed to score the Number 2 spot! This is what Dogster had to say about the park:

Featuring 12 acres, a pond for water warriors, a fenced-in area for smaller dogs, a Lucky Pawz Playground, running water, and eco-friendly disposable waste bags with pipes to underground “poop tanks” where the bags biodegrade when in contact with water -- is it any wonder Thornberry made our top 10? Open from dawn to dusk, Iowa City requires a yearly access fee of $35 per resident ($40 for non-residents) with a discount for dogs who are spayed/neutered.

 

Bonus Points: With its Halloween parties and dog paddle events, Thornberry works with the city of Iowa and welcomes volunteers.

I'm a big fan of Thornberry Dog Park. I used to get out there nightly when Nero was a puppy, but now we usually only make it on the weekends. I wrote the following review early this year (partially in response to a negative review). This is what I wrote last March:

I take my dogs to the dog park in Iowa City often; usually twice weekly. The membership is extremely affordable. There are young trees growing at the Thornberry park, so they don't offer much shade. But there are two covered benches in the main park area and one covered bench in each of the alternative park areas. The Thornberry Park has the main running area, but it also has a park area reserved for small dogs only and one additional park area reserved for small groups and/or more aggressive dogs who need the chance to run, but who really aren't safe to play with other dogs.

I like the pathway in the dog park. It's especially nice during the weeks when snow is melting or when there is a lot of rain and, as a result, the ground is muddy. I often see people use the pathway to get some exercise while their dogs play with others.

Iowa City has a second dog park named Rita's Ranch Park. I don't get out there as often as the Thornberry Dog Park, but it's a nice alternative -- especially on Hawkeye Game Days!

I found this neat video on YouTube that scans the main running area at Thornberry Off-Leash Park:

Lastly, I thought it would be fun to post a second clip highlighting one of the hazards of going to the dog park: Dog-on-human collisions! If you have visited the park often enough, you learn to reduce risk of injury by keeping your knees a bit slack. Check it out:

Congratulations, Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park!