Wheaton Regional Dog Park

The lot is huge. Unfortunately it is not conducive to small dogs. I was warned several times when I went to the dog park, by large dog owners using the park, that the large dogs that use the park are aggressive toward small dogs. The lot is large enough to be split with another fence so that the small dogs have their own area. I live in the area and pay taxes so I am disappointed that such a small change has not been provided.

The Wheaton dog park was the first dog park in Montgomery County. It was built with great fanfare and suffered from over use and lack of maintance. The regular users formed a non profit advisory board to repersent users concerns to the Park service. Over the past two years The Board has persuaded the park to install a concrete pad between the two gates, repair fencing, install a storage shed, and a rock climbing structure. Furtures plans include a larger concrete pad around the water spigot. Park maintance has submitted a Capital improvement plan for replacing or rebilding the site. No word as of this writing as to what will be included in the plans.
As of Oct of 2010, the park started charging an annual user fee and tag of $40 with 2nd and 3rd dogs being only $5. Foster care dogs are also only $5.
Volinteers police the grounds of stay poop, back fill holes and wash tables and concrete on a regular bases. They also keep an eye on all the dogs and offer helpful insight on behavor of dogs in the park and tips to new owners on basic training. One of the best perks is the Fresh water spigot and donated kiddie/doggie pool. The spigot is turned on in march and is shut off around early Nov. and also allows you to clean your pet before returning home. These feature come in handy during the hot summer months.

Not sure where all the hate for this park comes from, I've been going there for a few years with my dog and have only seen agressive dogs once. Unlike some county parks where I am often the only one there, there's almost always other dogs there, often quite a few; owners are freindly and care about the park.

1) No there's no separate small dog area. I've never seen this to be a problem, often its the small dogs that push around the small ones.

2) Its a gravel park, not grass, wood mulch, or other. Every material seems to have its downsides, the gravel gets dusty but drains well.

3) Its a good sized enclosed area, double gated like all montgomery parks to keep the dogs inside when someone comes and goes. There are bigger parks, but there are smaller parks as well.

4) Its a popular and public dog park, so its possible that some dogs might not get along, or that someone with a poor attitude may visit. That many dogs and that many people, sooner or later someone will have a bad experience, and its seems they will rant endlessly about the experience. I much prefer it too the parks where my dog and I are the only visitors.

This park is relatively clean but there is no small dog area and its very small. Also there always seems to be aggressive dogs there. I know this has nothing to do with the park itself but last time I went there was a dog who started a fight and i know 4 other dog owners who have had their dog attacked there. I never go here anymore

Nice Dog Park with plenty of shade and seating for owners. It was very clean.

I beg to differ with the last two posts. I've been bringing my puppy to Wheaton for the last 4 months and have been, for the most part, very happy with the dogs and the owners at the park. There has been only one aggressive dog and when I addressed this with the owner, he kept a very close eye on his dog and kept it away from mine. Generally, everyone picks up after their pets and keeps it pretty clean.

I visited the park on Sunday for the first time. I have a 2 year old Rottweiller. He's very mild and well mannered. Of course as soon as everyone saw him, they backed off. They thought he was going to attack the other dogs. Well truth be told, a small black cocker spaniel looking dog, jumped on my dogs back and bit him on the head.

I hope the person that owns this little black mut reads this email. He bit my Rotty. And my poor dog didn't even fight back, that's how mild mannered he is. I am highly upset about this. I hope I run into the owner again at the park. I will be looking out for you.

This dog park is the worst in the County.  The people with big dogs are unfriendly towards small dog owners, and behave as if they do not have to be responsible for their dogs because they are fenced in.  Their dogs, for the most part, are unruly and untrained, and the whole place smells.  If you have a small dog, and you don't want it to be humped the entire time it is there, you might want to go elsewhere.