Rendering courtesy of city of Scottsdale
The eagerly anticipated Thompson Peak Park Dog Park is beginning to take shape, although it will be some time before it welcomes its first canine visitors. The city has started “native tree salvage and relocation” efforts in preparation for the upscale, $6.1 million dog park.
Located at Thompson Peak Parkway and Hayden Road, the park is set to span 3.5 acres and feature three separate fenced and gated play areas, designed to provide ample space for dogs to exercise and socialize. These areas, or cells, will include a 1.5-acre section with a grass surface, a 1-acre section with a wood chip surface, and another 1-acre section with a grass surface. This configuration allows for rotation, ensuring that each area remains well-maintained and free from the wear and tear that constant use can cause.
“Dog parks require a great deal of space and onsite staffing to be maintained correctly,” says a city official. “By rotating the play areas, we can keep the surfaces in good condition and provide a better experience for park users.”
In addition to the play areas, the park will offer various amenities to enhance the experience for both dogs and their owners. These include shade canopies, benches, water fountains, and pet waste disposal stations. A footbridge will connect the off-leash area to existing park amenities, and additional parking along Hayden Road will accommodate visitors. A new restroom building will also be constructed.
Public art will be a highlight of the new park. Scottsdale Public Art is collaborating with artist Shachi Kale to create four art panels for the shade structures in the center cell of the dog park. Kale’s whimsical designs will feature plant life, mountain landscapes, and a variety of dogs in playful settings, providing a delightful visual experience for visitors.
“Using my love for storytelling and whimsy and folk art, this design incorporates the plant life, mountain landscape, and a variety of dogs, doing dog things,” says Kale. “Dog lovers will enjoy the range of dog shapes and personalities, and this is a fun nod to why dog parks are such a wonderful place where our dogs can explore and be in the company of other dogs in a safe, fun way.”
The project is part of the Phase II amenities included in the Thompson Peak Park conceptual master plan and was identified in the Community Services Master Plan from June 2015. After the native tree salvage and relocation over the next few months, park construction is set to begin in the fall.
Scottsdale is home to several popular dog parks, including Chaparral Dog Park, Horizon Dog Park, and Vista del Camino Park. Each offers unique features and amenities, catering to the needs of Scottsdale’s dog-loving community.
Chaparral Dog Park, the city’s most popular, includes three acres of grass, benches, play features, and water fountains. Horizon Dog Park, located in a retention basin, boasts a large shade structure and a water feature to control dust, though it is prone to flooding after storms. Vista del Camino Park provides a half-acre dog park with shade trees, benches, and water fountains.
For more information, visit scottsdaleaz.gov/construction/project-list/thompson-peak-park-dog-park
