Best Grass Covered Dog Park
We are happy to report that the Fairfax County Park Authority, after several years of negotiations with Westgrove P.A.C.K., and as a result of our success in maintaining a turf surface, has agreed in writing that Westgrove is, and will remain, a turf dog park. There are no plans to replace the turf with stone dust and FCPA and P.A.C.K. are working cooperatively to maintain the turf.
Maintaining a turf surface in a dog park with as much traffic as we have at Westgrove is a daunting task. Fairfax County Park Authority does not cover the additional cost of maintaining turf. Aerating, soil amendment, seeding, mowing, and other turf maintenance operations are all paid for by Westgrove P.A.C.K. with funds donated by the users of the park and are done by a private contractor according to procedures which have been developed in close consultation with FCPA. Because the dog park is in the watershed for Dyke Marsh, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay, we take great care to observe all local, state and federal regulations to protect the surrounding environment and the health of our dogs.
We have a ground cover established in the south end which thrives in hot summer weather. It holds up well to foot and paw traffic, is drought tolerant, and needs minimal maintenance during the season. Unfortunately, it dies off in September when the weather starts to get cool and leaves us with bare earth (or mud) until April. Maintaining that ground cover typically requires some turf renewal operations in the spring followed by 8-10 weeks of complete rest during which the south (big) end of the park is completely closed. For the 2023 season, that process is complete.
In consultation with FCPA, we will perform an additional aeration in late June or early July to mitigate the soil compaction resulting from foot and paw traffic during the season. This will involve a closure of a few hours while the work is being done.
The Board of Westgrove P.A.C.K. would like to thank our Caretakers for supporting these efforts. We would not have a turf dog park without your generous support. If you would like to get more involved in supporting our turf maintenance and improvement efforts, please contact the P.A.C.K.
Maintaining a turf surface in a dog park with as much traffic as we have at Westgrove is a daunting task. Fairfax County Park Authority does not cover the additional cost of maintaining turf. Aerating, soil amendment, seeding, mowing, and other turf maintenance operations are all paid for by Westgrove P.A.C.K. with funds donated by the users of the park and are done by a private contractor according to procedures which have been developed in close consultation with FCPA. Because the dog park is in the watershed for Dyke Marsh, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay, we take great care to observe all local, state and federal regulations to protect the surrounding environment and the health of our dogs.
We have a ground cover established in the south end which thrives in hot summer weather. It holds up well to foot and paw traffic, is drought tolerant, and needs minimal maintenance during the season. Unfortunately, it dies off in September when the weather starts to get cool and leaves us with bare earth (or mud) until April. Maintaining that ground cover typically requires some turf renewal operations in the spring followed by 8-10 weeks of complete rest during which the south (big) end of the park is completely closed. For the 2023 season, that process is complete.
In consultation with FCPA, we will perform an additional aeration in late June or early July to mitigate the soil compaction resulting from foot and paw traffic during the season. This will involve a closure of a few hours while the work is being done.
The Board of Westgrove P.A.C.K. would like to thank our Caretakers for supporting these efforts. We would not have a turf dog park without your generous support. If you would like to get more involved in supporting our turf maintenance and improvement efforts, please contact the P.A.C.K.