David Lorenz Dog Park - Highlands Ranch, CO
David Lorenz Dog Park – Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the David Lorenz Dog Park is a spacious, grassy dog park set just off the C-470 highway. This newer dog park stands out with its large, prairie-type grass areas, giving dogs plenty of room to run and play. Pet owners will find the park a quieter option, as it typically isn’t busy, offering both a pro and a con for those seeking social interaction for their dogs. Note: There is a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the park—about five minutes along a path near the soccer fields.
Distinct features include fully fenced separate areas for large and small dogs (though the small dog section is sometimes closed), a covered shelter with multiple picnic tables providing much-needed shade, and lots of open space perfect for energetic pups. However, visitors should be prepared, as there is no water fountain or bowls provided for dogs—plan to bring your own. Some reviews also mention the park’s tendency to get muddy after watering or rain, and that there are only a few trash bins, mostly near the shelter. Seating is available under the shaded shelter, and parking is available at the nearby soccer complex.
David Lorenz Dog Park FAQ
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash within the fenced park areas.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, the park is fully fenced with separate gated sections.
- Is there a separate area for small and large dogs? Yes, there are separate gated areas for small and large dogs, though sometimes one section may be closed for maintenance.
- Are there water fountains or bowls for dogs? No, there are no water fountains or bowls on-site for dogs. Visitors should bring their own water.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there is a covered shelter with multiple picnic tables for shade.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, seating is provided under the covered picnic area.
- Are there trash bins or waste stations? There are a few trash bins near the shelter, but no scattered waste stations or bins throughout the park.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Yes, the park is often wet and muddy after watering or rainfall.
- Where is the best place to park? Parking is available at the south end of the outdoor soccer fields near the recreation center, followed by a short walk to the dog park entrance.
Reviews
Love the idea of this park but only one side is ever open and it’s always taken up with big dogs. As a small dog owner it’s frustrating since this is the first with many sided options in the area and is much needed. Been able to use the small corral a couple times but always a bummer our little dog cannot get into one of the big open sides to run. We reported this to the park ranger who said he was going to look into it.
This is a beautiful dog park, but I am giving three stars because there is no water spout for dogs, but you can see water irrigation lines. Also, the parking is pretty far from the park having to walk a distance to get to the park. I do love the grass as most parks around is just dirt and gravel.
New park. Many pros and cons. Given it is so new, it’s version one (I presume). I hope they continue to improve here. For now, we will stick to the other established parks. This one IS convenient to our house, so that’s too bad. This WILL be a great park in time, but it doesn’t quite feel ready for prime time. As long as you don’t expect it to be like some of the other established parks, you’ll be fine.
Pros:
* really large “grassy” park, bigger than several others in this area. If they want, dogs can run and run easily.
* separate gated areas for smaller dogs if you choose.
* large covered picnic table area in the middle. All the other parks around here have a single table under a shade; this has 4 tables under a structure. It’s the only shade in the park.
* grass is the prairie type. Should hold up. Given that, it’s a little “spikey.”
* all shiny and new.
* I believe there are bathrooms at the parking area as part of the awesome soccer field complex. Not sure when those are open.
Cons:
* given it’s new, I don’t think people know it’s here. It was lonely. No other dogs at 9am weekday. Maybe it’s a weekend spot, and/or will pick up. But if you want you pup to interact and play, beware this may not yet be the spot. This is huge given our goal is playtime and interaction.
* no water? I hope they add it in. All the other parks have it (that we visit in highlands ranch). Surprising.
* google maps says to park by the rec building. Nope. Park at the far south area at the outdoor soccer fields to the west of the recent center. Then it’s about a quarter mile walk down the path.
* LOTS of highway noise as it’s right on 470.
* steep. If you walk to the bottom, you definitely are getting exercise coming back up!
* to that point, given its new, there is no “human walking path”, either built in or just worn in. The gravel edge in the middle is heavily rutted by recent storms and I would not consider it a walking path.
* given there is not much dog traffic, this con isn’t a big deal – half the park is locked off. So it LOOKS huge, but half is closed (I assume to allow turf recovery eventually). Once this park gets used more, that could play into usability more.
* it’s cool the gates open both directions, but beware they are NOT spring loaded. They are just on a hinge, You MUST close them behind you. All the other parks around here have spring-loaded gates, so it’s strange to see a park without them. They do generally make it easier to get in when your dog is excited.
* no trash cans beyond the picnic shelter at the top. Not a huge deal, but other parks have permanent collection posts spaced around. These are traditional lid-top cans like you put on your curb. Just expect to carry the poop a little further.
More often than not the ground is very wet and muddy. Doesn’t make for a fun day at the dark park. I routinely meet people there who immediately turn around and leave. Who has an extra 1.5 hours to bath a furry dog after what’s to be fun day at the park. I can go to chatfield reservoir to get my dog wet and messy. Would definitely be nice to count on not having muddy ground most of the time at Lorenz bark mud park.
Any chance they could not have it be so muddy most of the time? Change the watering schedule? Which if they can water the grass, why not have water for the dogs…besides a mud puddle.
For a secluded dog park that you have to walk an extra 5 minutes to get to from the parking lot you’d expect a water station or something but nope no water which means bring your own bowl and water.
It doesn’t get busy at all so to some it can be a pro or a con I don’t mind because I have 2 and I sit here and there with other dogs.
I’m pretty sure there’s a wasp nest around the sitting area and that’s unfortunate because I am allergic.
I like that it’s grassy and I don’t mind the highway noise but no water is a huge con so such a secluded dog park so probably won’t be back until less I want to lug a bag around with their bowl and bottles of water.
Love the idea of this park but only one side is ever open and it’s always taken up with big dogs. As a small dog owner it’s frustrating since this is the first with many sided options in the area and is much needed. Been able to use the small corral a couple times but always a bummer our little dog cannot get into one of the big open sides to run. We reported this to the park ranger who said he was going to look into it.
This is a beautiful dog park, but I am giving three stars because there is no water spout for dogs, but you can see water irrigation lines. Also, the parking is pretty far from the park having to walk a distance to get to the park. I do love the grass as most parks around is just dirt and gravel.
New park. Many pros and cons. Given it is so new, it’s version one (I presume). I hope they continue to improve here. For now, we will stick to the other established parks. This one IS convenient to our house, so that’s too bad. This WILL be a great park in time, but it doesn’t quite feel ready for prime time. As long as you don’t expect it to be like some of the other established parks, you’ll be fine.
Pros:
* really large “grassy” park, bigger than several others in this area. If they want, dogs can run and run easily.
* separate gated areas for smaller dogs if you choose.
* large covered picnic table area in the middle. All the other parks around here have a single table under a shade; this has 4 tables under a structure. It’s the only shade in the park.
* grass is the prairie type. Should hold up. Given that, it’s a little “spikey.”
* all shiny and new.
* I believe there are bathrooms at the parking area as part of the awesome soccer field complex. Not sure when those are open.
Cons:
* given it’s new, I don’t think people know it’s here. It was lonely. No other dogs at 9am weekday. Maybe it’s a weekend spot, and/or will pick up. But if you want you pup to interact and play, beware this may not yet be the spot. This is huge given our goal is playtime and interaction.
* no water? I hope they add it in. All the other parks have it (that we visit in highlands ranch). Surprising.
* google maps says to park by the rec building. Nope. Park at the far south area at the outdoor soccer fields to the west of the recent center. Then it’s about a quarter mile walk down the path.
* LOTS of highway noise as it’s right on 470.
* steep. If you walk to the bottom, you definitely are getting exercise coming back up!
* to that point, given its new, there is no “human walking path”, either built in or just worn in. The gravel edge in the middle is heavily rutted by recent storms and I would not consider it a walking path.
* given there is not much dog traffic, this con isn’t a big deal – half the park is locked off. So it LOOKS huge, but half is closed (I assume to allow turf recovery eventually). Once this park gets used more, that could play into usability more.
* it’s cool the gates open both directions, but beware they are NOT spring loaded. They are just on a hinge, You MUST close them behind you. All the other parks around here have spring-loaded gates, so it’s strange to see a park without them. They do generally make it easier to get in when your dog is excited.
* no trash cans beyond the picnic shelter at the top. Not a huge deal, but other parks have permanent collection posts spaced around. These are traditional lid-top cans like you put on your curb. Just expect to carry the poop a little further.
More often than not the ground is very wet and muddy. Doesn’t make for a fun day at the dark park. I routinely meet people there who immediately turn around and leave. Who has an extra 1.5 hours to bath a furry dog after what’s to be fun day at the park. I can go to chatfield reservoir to get my dog wet and messy. Would definitely be nice to count on not having muddy ground most of the time at Lorenz bark mud park.
Any chance they could not have it be so muddy most of the time? Change the watering schedule? Which if they can water the grass, why not have water for the dogs…besides a mud puddle.
For a secluded dog park that you have to walk an extra 5 minutes to get to from the parking lot you’d expect a water station or something but nope no water which means bring your own bowl and water.
It doesn’t get busy at all so to some it can be a pro or a con I don’t mind because I have 2 and I sit here and there with other dogs.
I’m pretty sure there’s a wasp nest around the sitting area and that’s unfortunate because I am allergic.
I like that it’s grassy and I don’t mind the highway noise but no water is a huge con so such a secluded dog park so probably won’t be back until less I want to lug a bag around with their bowl and bottles of water.