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, 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 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 until April. Maintaining that ground cover typically requires some turf renewal operations in the spring followed by 8-12 weeks of complete rest during which the south (big) end of the park is completely closed. That process began for the current season on March 22, 2021 with aeration, planting and application of organic compost. When the seed germinated, we applied the first round of slow-release organic fertilizer. A second application of slow-release organic fertilizer was applied on April 25 and a third on May 7. Once that fertilizer had a chance to be fully absorbed and the turf was well-established, the south (big) end reopened on May 21. When the park is fully open and the weather is warmer, the native hot weather turf will quickly re-establish in the north (small) end. We anticipate that area will be fully green by mid- to late-June.
We are working with FCPA and other certified turf experts to develop long-term plans to continue to maintain the best possible turf surface using industry best practices to protect the local environment. For updates please be sure to check this website and the park message board.
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, 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 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 until April. Maintaining that ground cover typically requires some turf renewal operations in the spring followed by 8-12 weeks of complete rest during which the south (big) end of the park is completely closed. That process began for the current season on March 22, 2021 with aeration, planting and application of organic compost. When the seed germinated, we applied the first round of slow-release organic fertilizer. A second application of slow-release organic fertilizer was applied on April 25 and a third on May 7. Once that fertilizer had a chance to be fully absorbed and the turf was well-established, the south (big) end reopened on May 21. When the park is fully open and the weather is warmer, the native hot weather turf will quickly re-establish in the north (small) end. We anticipate that area will be fully green by mid- to late-June.
We are working with FCPA and other certified turf experts to develop long-term plans to continue to maintain the best possible turf surface using industry best practices to protect the local environment. For updates please be sure to check this website and the park message board.
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.