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Dog Park Application, Waiver and Rules

Click here to download the application, waiver and rules for the dog park. Hard copies are also available at the front desk of City Hall. To apply for membership please bring your dogs records and the membership fee to City Hall during business hours.

General Information
Hours of operation: Dawn to dusk daily, there are no lights
Dog Size Schedule: Mondays/Wednesdays large dogs, Tuesdays/Thursdays small dogs, Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays all dogs welcome. Small dogs are 20 pounds or less.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the dog park rules?
A:

• Park users agree they are fully legally and financially responsible for injuries to themselves or their dog and/or any injuries their dog may cause to other people or dogs while using the dog park as well as any damage to property.
• Members must stay within the park while their dog is using the park and must maintain voice control of their dogs.
• Children aged 5-15 years old must be accompanied by an adult in order to enter the dog park. No children under the age of 5 may enter the park.
• No more than two registered dogs may enter the park per person aged 18 or
• The maximum number of dogs allowed in the play area at any time is 4.
• Dogs must be wearing collars and identification tags. No shock, prong, pinch, choke or spike collars.
• Dogs must be on leash while entering and exiting the park. Dogs can be unleashed once inside designated dog areas.
• Dogs who become aggressive must be immediately removed from the park.
• Owners are required to pick up dog’s waste, in all areas in and around the dog park and deposit it in designated receptacles. The City of Lathrup Village will provide waste stations for members to use. It is recommended to have your own waste bags as well, in case the stations are empty.
• Hours of operation dawn to dusk. Please be aware there is no lighting at the
• Dogs should be kept off designated picnic tables.
• The dog park will maintain an alternate schedule for small and large dogs. The schedule will be posted at the park, on the City of Lathrup Village website and the Friends of the Lathrup Village Dog Park Facebook page. Small dogs are considered 20 pounds or less.

The following are not allowed in the Lathrup Village Dog Park:

• Dogs that are aggressive towards people and/or dogs are not allowed.
• Dogs that do not respond to owner’s commands are not allowed.
• Dogs under the age of 4 months may not enter the park.
• Dogs in heat.
• Outside toys of any kind including balls and rope toys. Dogs can become possessive regarding their toys.
• Glass objects.
• People food of any kind. People food can instigate begging and aggressive behaviors in some dogs.
• Non-member dogs. Members found to be admitting non-member dogs may lose their membership without refund. Advise visitors to pick up information regarding becoming a member at City Hall or on lathrupvillage.org

Q: What are the requirements to become a member?
A:

• Proof of current vaccination for Bordetella, Rabies, and DHPP (Distemper, Parainfluenza, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus) or DHLPP (including Leptospirosis)
• Current Lathrup Village dog license. Non-residents must provide proof of dog license in their residing city.
• Complete membership application, signed waiver and membership agreement.
• Members must agree to comply with the City of Lathrup Village Dog Parks Rules and Failure to respect and follow rules may result in revocation of membership with no refund.
• Annual fee of $15 per dog, $10 for each additional dog in the same household. There is a $5 annual discount per dog for dogs with valid Canine Good Citizen certification or similar temperament certification. Owner must provide copy of certification.
• Non-residents will have an annual fee of $20 per dog, $10 for each additional dog in the same household.
• Memberships run from March through February, the same as Lathrup Village dog licenses. Annual fee will not be pro-rated.

Reporting Incidents

• Dog bites must be promptly reported to Lathrup Village Parks & Recreation Department and the Lathrup Village Police Department. According to the Michigan Penal Code 750.66, Owners are required to give information about the dog when it has bitten someone. The owner must provide vaccination information and must stay at the scene. The penalty for violating is up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
• To report violators of any rules and regulations above, please contact us through email at recreation@lathrupvillage.org.

Failure to respect and follow rules placed may result in revocation of your membership without refund.

These rules are subject to change at any time. Members will be notified of any changes at least thirty (30) days in advance, through the contact information provided on the membership application.

Q: How much does it cost to become a member of the Lathrup Village Dog Park?
A:

• Annual fee of $15 per dog, $10 for each additional dog in the same household. There is a $5 annual discount per dog for dogs with valid Canine Good Citizen certification or similar temperament certification. Owner must provide copy of certification.
• Non-residents will have an annual fee of $20 per dog, $10 for each additional dog in the same household.

Q: Why isn't the dog park free for Lathrup Village residents?
A: There are several reasons why there is a small fee for use of the dog park.  First, the dog park is meant to be self-sustaining. It does not draw from the general fund, i.e. tax dollars. Currently, the park is sustained by sponsorship and registration fees. This was an important part of deciding to offer the dog park, because the current Parks & Recreation budget could not have sustained the additional cost.  Keep in mind, on average, only about $27 of tax dollars per household, goes to the Parks & Rec department. We must offer all our programs, events, concerts and park maintenance from that small amount.  Second, having a fee means some buy-in. Use of the park is a privilege, requiring some responsibility to keep it clean and in good order.  As we have seen with our regular parks, when they are free and open to everyone, then it is more likely folks won't clean up after their pets or may otherwise take advantage of the space.
In the future, we may be able to offer the park for free to residents if enough sponsorship or grant money can be secured. The best way to ensure that would be to get involved on the Friends of the Lathrup Village Dog Park Board. You can do that by emailing recreation@lathrupvillage.org. 

If you cannot afford the cost of membership, but you feel your dog would benefit from participation, feel free to reach out to me at recreation@lathrupvillage.org. There are volunteer opportunities available or a neighbor may be willing to sponsor your dog.  You can also follow the Friends of the Lathrup Village Dog Park Facebook page as we occasionally give out free memberships as promotions of the park.

Q: How do I become a member of the Lathrup Village Dog Park?
A: Click here to download the application, waiver and rules for the dog park. Hard copies are also available at the front desk of City Hall. To apply for membership please bring your dogs records and the membership fee to City Hall during business hours.

Have a say in Dog Park planning
Join the Friends of Lathrup Village Dog Park. The purpose of the group is to help establish and maintain the new dog park. Our goal is to create a loving and safe dog park for our community. Click here to sign up for free.