After years of planning, McMinnville’s new off-leash Dog Park is now open to the public.

The “Riverside Drive Dog Park,” is located at 1900 NE Riverside Drive approximately a quarter mile east of Lafayette Avenue. The park is four acres in size with a year-round area of about two acres with a shredded cedar ground cover, and a spring/summer/fall area of two acres with a lawn turf ground cover.  Asphalt pathways loop around the perimeter of both areas. A separate “small/timid dog area” is available.

At this time, only the winter area is open.  The 2-acre spring, summer, fall, area on the east side of the park will be seeded in March, as soon as it’s warm enough for quality lawn turf growth; it will open as soon as possible in late spring/early summer.  It is very important that this initial stand of lawn turf has adequate time to get very well established to withstand the impact of active dogs.  Patrons are asked not to enter this area until it is officially open. 

The new park will be open 7 days a week.

Officially, the park opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset.  At this time, park hours are from 6:30 AM to 6:15 PM.  Park hours will evolve as the days get longer this spring/summer or shorter next fall/winter.  Sunrise and sunset times are listed daily in the Oregonian newspaper.

The park will be closed Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. for maintenance.

The Riverside Street Dog Park is part of the City of McMinnville Park System and is intended as a fun and safe off-leash facility for dog owners and their pets.  Park users are expected to treat other patrons with respect, to take responsibility for the behavior of their pets, and to solve disputes or animal behavior issues with common sense that fosters a safety first and patron friendly environment.

For the safety and enjoyment of all park visitors the following rules of conduct shall be in effect at all times.  They are also posted at the Dog Park.

Use the park at your own risk.  Owners are responsible and liable for injury or damage inflicted by their dogs.

• Owners must immediately pick up their dog’s waste.
• No more than three dogs are allowed per person and owners must carry a 6’ leash for each dog.
• Aggressive dogs are not permitted.  If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, please leash it immediately and leave.
• Owners must keep unleashed dogs in sight, under voice control at all times.
• Dogs must always be leashed outside of fenced dog park area including the parking lot.
• Dogs must be licensed, vaccinated and be wearing up to date license tags at all times.
• Remove prong and or spike collars while in the dog park.
• Female dogs in heat and puppies under the age of 4 months are not permitted
• Unattended dogs are not allowed at any time.
• Do not allow dogs to dig; excessive barking is prohibited.
• Young children under the age of 14 must be supervised by an adult.  Younger children must be close enough to hold hands with their parent or supervising adult.
• Smoking is not permitted in the park or parking area.
• Eating is not permitted in the dog park.
• Bicycles, skateboards and scooters are not permitted in the park.
• Be aware of overhead wires and avoid when throwing retrievable toys.

Off-leash activities within all other McMinnville neighborhood or community park and greenway facilities is prohibited and will result in park exclusions and/or fines.  The Riverside Drive Dog Park now provides a safe and legal off-leash alternative for McMinnville residents and their pets.  For further information, contact Parks and Recreation Director Jay Pearson at 503-434-7359.