Benefits of Off-leash areas to both dog owners and non-dog owners:

  1. Having a place for dog owners to exercise their dogs lessens the chance that they will run their dogs loose in an inappropriate area.

  2. Walking a dog in an off-leash area provides excellent exercise for people as well as their dogs. Recent statewide recreation surveys have shown that walking with a pet is the number one most frequent recreation activity, yet few areas are provided.

  3. Off-leash areas provide a place for people with a common interest to socialize. Scientific studies have shown that people find it easier to talk to each other with dogs as an initial focus, breaking down the usual social barriers that make people in our society perceive others as “strangers”.

  4. Off-leash areas help build strong communities by giving people opportunities to get to know their neighbors and exchange news about their neighborhoods.

  5. Off-Leash areas help socialize dogs to people as well as to other canines of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Dogs learn to fine-tune their social skills and develop appropriate behavior. Many prominent dog trainers and animal behaviorists have supported the value of off-leash areas in socializing dogs.

  6. Off-leash areas provide dogs the chance to exercise, the ability to explore, and the opportunity to interact with people and other dogs. A trip to the dog park is the highlight of a dog’s day and makes them better canine citizens for their neighbors.

  7. Off-leash areas are used throughout the year, at all times of the day, and in all sorts of weather thus providing a sort of security at the parks. Also, it has been reported that crime has decreased in many cities near the off-leash areas.

  8. Off-leash areas help control dog waste pickup and disposal.

  9. Off-leash areas benefit the handicapped and elderly who often have dogs for assistance and companions. Many times the handicapped and elderly can't properly exercise a dog on a leash. Off-leash areas give them a place to properly exercise their dogs benefiting the dogs and their owner.

  10. Off-leash areas encourage responsible dog ownership as dog owners often trade training tips, information about obedience schools and veterinarians, health care tips, and other dog-related topics.

  11. People visiting off-leash areas are educated about responsible dog ownership, including monitoring the dog’s behavior and picking up waste.

Why is an off-leash area needed on the East Hill of Kent?

Approximately one-third of all Kent households own dogs. In the past, dog owners had many places to recreate with their pets. As Kent continues to grow, however, available open space to properly exercise our pets is vanishing. Despite having over 1,300 acres under Kent Parks Department (KPD) purview alone, exactly zero acres within KPD exist to meet this need. In working with the Kent City Council and KPD in the past, the ironic concern voiced about establishment of an OLA was that it would be over-used. The opening of Grandview Regional Dog Park in SeaTac has reduced that concern.

Marymoor Park and Grandview Park are wonderful OLAs but they are not practical for daily use by East Hill citizens due to their locations and traffic problems. Consequently, KDOGS suggests that the first Kent OLA be established on Kent’s East Hill – creating an area that its citizens can use on a daily basis.

The city of Kent has a history of commitment to community services and OLAs represent positive – and overdue - additions to the community.