By Mimi Darley Dutton | [email protected]

It could be said that Draper has gone to the dogs, but in this case, that’s a good thing. 

“Our current dog park (Dayland Dog Park) is about the busiest in the state. It’s used very heavily, so we needed another one,” said Rhett Ogden, Draper’s Parks and Recreation director. 

According to Ogden, the city has been discussing the need for another dog park for about two years. “About a year ago we funded it and got serious with the design, then we got it bid out and constructed,” he said. 

Galena Dog Park, an extension of Galena Hills park, officially opened Sept. 9. 

Dog owners had indicated that while they loved the Dayland Dog Park (300 E. 134th South), they hoped for a big area where they could let their dogs run off leash. This new dog park is approximately three and a half acres, in the northwest area of Galena Park, 12500 S. Vista Station Blvd. (550 West). The dog park has both grass and hard-pack areas with a lot of land left in natural condition, and it’s fenced. “It has wide-open, natural areas with a few trails so dogs can run like crazy and owners can turn them loose. It’s the best of both worlds with improved areas and natural open space,” Ogden said. 

The city finished a new parking lot when they recently constructed a new baseball field nearby, so Galena Dog Park users can park cars there and follow a paved trail into the dog park. 

The new park features obstacles such as arches to crawl over and tunnels to go through, a doggy drinking fountain, a dog wash area, and two pavilions for shade or picnicking. 

Galena Dog Park is open from daylight until 10 p.m. daily; closed Wednesday mornings for maintenance. Dayland Dog Park operates under the same hours but is closed Tuesday mornings for maintenance.

“We require the dogs to be licensed and to be current on their shots. They need to be leashed when entering and leaving the facility and owners need to be in voice control of their dog to use the park,” Ogden said.