On more than one occasion my wife and I have taken Molly our red setter to Potso Dog Park in Tigard. It is a spacious 1.5 acres and perfect for catch and fetch, and dogs that like to sprint and run aimlessly. Also people who enjoy walking their dog off leash can use the roughed-in walking path circling a good portion of the inner parameter.
Next to the parking area there is a separate enclosure for puppies and smaller dogs. The park is located on Wall Street off of Hunziker Road in Tigard.
Additional amenities include: fountains for both people and dogs, baggies to pick up after your pet. Double gated entryway, benches, tables and shelters, outhouse, water bowls, extra balls laying around, etc. The park is open from dusk to dawn. And closed through 12:30pm for maintenance on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
It’s unique because of proximity to a nearby creek and rolling wooded hillside east of its location. I’m not a bird watcher by any means, but have noticed those Pacific Northwest dark-eyed Juncos, a genus of American sparrows feeding in mass early mornings and just before sunset at certain times of the year. It appears this place is a migratory refuge for a variety of birds heading south before winter.
Any dog owner would appreciate these little critters congregating, especially if they motivated a dog to take chase and get more exercise. When we first watched Molly chase them, we looked at each other and agreed, This is awesome, “The birds will definitely tire her out.” We were laughing because the dog is fast like a racehorse out the gate, but she’d need the life-force of Flash to actually catch one.
It was cool watching her until she caught air at the corner of the SW field fence “like a free-range deer jumping leaps and bounds,” she took flight. “Didn’t see that one coming.”
Transitioning from a full sprint to a high jump like-leap with precision, she effortlessly cleared that fence trying to catch a Junco mid-air. Then disappeared into the woods without a sound or trace. To our disbelief and others aghast who watched the spectacle, “if you hadn’t seen it, you wouldn’t have believed it. Thankfully with the help of dog loving volunteers, she was found and panting joyfully to see us a few hours later. The search group that helped find her were awesome people. She was happy to see us and ready to go home and enjoy another day’s adventure. Hopefully the next one wouldn’t be so harrowing.
If your dog loves to chase birds and can’t leap a fence in a single bound – it’s a safe game of cat and mouse. They both enjoy the chase. There is no better way to drain that metabolic dog battery so everyone sleeps better at night. Since Molly’s battery was made by Eveready and wired with a turbocharged accelerator to leap effortlessly over a fence, we need to exercise her daily to keep it half drained. Also by avoiding those birds she’s had no desire to leap any more fence lines – We’re keeping our fingers crossed.
The second largest dog park is located on the outskirts of Summer Lake at 11450 SW Winter Lake Drive. It’s approximately 2/3 acre and similar to Potso in many ways. With exception: it doesn’t have a separate small dog parameter. It has a nice public restroom nearby, watering service and sheltered area with table and bench. It is open daily from dust to dawn.
Ash Ave Dog Park is the smallest of the three and accommodates all sizes of dogs. It has similar amenities like the other two Parks and is located across from Attwell apartments on the corner of SW Burnham and SW Ash Street in Down Town Tigard. It is abundant with wood fiber surface material and has a nice shelter and seating area. There is a fountain for both owner and dog, including paw wash. ADA-friendly parking is close to the double gated entry way and bike rack. Be sure to read the dog rules posted at each dog Park entrance gate. And remain vigilant to control your dog should it become overly aggressive with another dog. Everyone can enjoy dog Parks when respectful of each other and mindful of dog rules-of-engagement.
Learn more about Tigard dog Parks: http://www.tigard-or.gov/community/dogparks.php
Good health to you and your family.
Marc Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, ARNG, CPT, RET., is a member of the Tigard City Council. He is a strong proponent of City involvement in providing recreational opportunities for its residents. 2018 Copy right. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Inc., www.mirrorathlete.org
