The Town of Queen Creek has announced a temporary solution for pet owners during the summer closure of the beloved Pocket Park for Pups. Officially in the works is a pop-up dog park, slated to serve the community from July 1 through Aug. 31 while the primary pooch playground undergoes maintenance, according to a news release on the town's website.
Faced with the unruly nature of grass amid our furry friends' frolicking, the town has greenlit the summer substitute on the north end of Founders' Park, at 22407 S. Ellsworth Rd. A duo of designated spaces will cater to canine companions – one for the small or timid tail-waggers, and another for the larger, or more vivacious variety. QueenCreekAZ.gov notes that the pop-up will mirror the current dog park's hours, staying open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days, and opening at noon on Tuesdays.
Dog owners should take note of the parking situation. For those with petite pups, the northwest lot is your destination – accessible via Ellsworth or Aldecoa Road. If your companion is on the larger side, head for the Aldecoa lot, cozied up on the park's east side. The split parking arrangement should streamline the process, making it easy for all dog lovers to find their spot.
The town has cited "heavy use" as the culprit behind the Pocket Park for Pups' need for repair. The maintenance period will allow town staff to "recondition the soil and conduct deep watering," which in turn gives the turf the tender loving care needed to thrive despite paws pounding the ground day in, day out. Deeper roots equate to hardier grass, ready to roll with the roughhousing, according to QueenCreek's recent update.
For pet parents, the standard rule of thumb remains: leashes on until those four-legged friends are safely within the bounds of the dog park. And if you're looking to stay on top of updates, or if there's a non-urgent problem to report – Queen Creek's social media channels and the SeeClickFix service on their website are your go-to resources. Communication & Marketing Manager Constance Halonen-Wilson, can be reached at 480-358-3195 or via email at [email protected] for further inquiries.
