The following rules apply to Westgrove Dog Park and to all Fairfax County Park Authority off-leash dog areas, sourced from:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rules/dog-park
The following are prohibited in off-leash dog areas:
Other rules that apply to dog parks:
- Dogs barking incessantly.
- Food (includes treats, bones and edible toys) and glass containers.
- Dogs under four months of age.
- Female dogs in heat.
- Animals other than dogs.
- Children under the age of 9 yrs old.
- Professional training of dogs.
Other rules that apply to dog parks:
- Users of the facility do so at their own risk.
- Aggressive dogs (defined as dogs posing a threat to human beings or other dogs) are not allowed at any time. Dogs must be removed from the off-leash dog area at the first sign of aggression.
- All dogs must be legally licensed and vaccinated, and shall wear a visible dog license and have vaccination documents available upon request.
- The off-leash dog area is for dogs, their handlers and those accompanying them only.
- Dogs must be on leash when entering and exiting the off-leash dog area.
- Dogs must be under the control of their handler and in view of their handler at all times.
- Handlers must be 16 years or older.
- Handlers must have possession of the dog leash at all times.
- Handlers are limited to a maximum of two dogs.
- Handlers are responsible for removal and disposal of waste (dog poop).
- Handlers must prevent dogs from digging holes and are responsible for filling them.
Water Use Guidelines
Please note that Fairfax County Park Authority does not maintain the water fixtures in Westgrove Park. They are maintained by Westgrove P.A.C.K. using private funds donated by park users. Your cooperation will help with that effort.
We ask that you observe the following guidelines when using the water at the park:
For the future, we are investigating the possibility of installing an irrigation system for turf maintenance.
We ask that you observe the following guidelines when using the water at the park:
- Exercise caution when using the spigot. Please do not spray water on the ground where it will create puddles and please make sure the water is off when you are finished. Make sure the water is completely turned off, but do not over tighten the valve.
- If you use the hose, please coil it neatly when you are finished.
- Please do not leave standing water in bowls around the park. It can breed disease. Use the dog drinking fountain, which is self-draining.
- Please do not bring wading pools to the park. While some dogs enjoy splashing when the days are hot, we have concerns about stagnant water left in the pools creating a health risk for the dogs. Also, when the pools are emptied they create puddles and mud. Wading pools left in the park will be removed and disposed of.
- If you notice water leaking at a fixture, please notify Westgrove P.A.C.K. immediately at [email protected] so we can correct the problem and avoid wasting water and making puddles.
For the future, we are investigating the possibility of installing an irrigation system for turf maintenance.
Please don't bring pools into the park.
We know the weather gets hot and we know that some dogs love to splash in cool water on hot days. We understand why people want to bring those plastic wading pools to the park. Unfortunately, the pools are causing problems.
We've had reports of dogs who use the park coming down with Giardia, an intestinal parasite that thrives in dirty water which can infect dogs and humans. Giardia can get into the pool if dogs have fecal matter on their paws. If the dogs drink the infected water, they can get sick. Symptoms of Giardia include diarrhea that can last for several weeks.
The P.A.C.K. is taking a number of steps to address this problem:
We've had reports of dogs who use the park coming down with Giardia, an intestinal parasite that thrives in dirty water which can infect dogs and humans. Giardia can get into the pool if dogs have fecal matter on their paws. If the dogs drink the infected water, they can get sick. Symptoms of Giardia include diarrhea that can last for several weeks.
The P.A.C.K. is taking a number of steps to address this problem:
- Communicating to park users about the importance of keeping water bowls clean, picking up poop, and not bringing pools.
- Providing maintenance to water fixtures in the north and south ends of the park with ample fresh water supply.
- Removing and disposing of pools that are left in the park.
Park Users are Responsible for Supporting these Efforts
Westgrove dog park strives to be a clean, safe, enjoyable, healthy and well-maintained area for recreation, exercise, training and socialization for dogs and their human companions. Members are integral to supporting this vision by:
If you have suggestions or comments about this policy, please feel free to contact the P.A.C.K Board at [email protected].
- Reading and following the County established rules of the park contained on this page, and posted at the park.
- Picking up your dog's poop.
- Picking up any other poop you see on the ground.
- Frequently changing the water in your dog's bowl(s).
- Using the provided water fixtures to water your dog, keeping these fixtures neat, and reporting any maintenance issues to Westgrove P.A.C.K.
- Keeping your dog at home if it has diarrhea or any other signs of illness.
- Not bringing pools into the park.
- Helping to communicate this message to other park users.
If you have suggestions or comments about this policy, please feel free to contact the P.A.C.K Board at [email protected].
Download a Common Sense Brochure about Westgrove Dog Park.
| westgrovedogpark_commonsense2023.pdf |