USMC CPL David M. Sonka Dog Park and Westcreek Disc Golf Course
This large, well-equipped dog park offers distinct areas for both small and large dogs, featuring agility equipment and a walking track around its perimeter. The park is fenced with heavy gates for safety and includes amenities such as picnic tables, a covered shelter, seating, and several dog waste stations. Water fountains with dog bowls are available, though water access is somewhat limited to the entrance area. The surface consists mainly of small gravel, with some areas covered in green weeds, which may conceal dog waste. The park is accessible, has ample parking, and nearby restrooms, but has limited shade in the larger open spaces. Visitors have noted some maintenance issues like holes in the ground and variable upkeep of bag dispensers.
Reviews
Very surprised how horrible this park is maintained. There are numerous large holes where a dog running could be seriously injured. The weeds in the small dog area are bigger than the dogs. It had great potential but it hasn’t been cared for.
Large fenced dog park. The parking lot was pretty full at 12:30 on a Sunday but we got a spot. They have some ramps and agility stains which is nice. But the surface is hard dirt, so it’s dusty when dry and muddy when wet. Unlike most dog parks the dog and owners seemed to keep more to themselves. Sopris couldn’t find other dogs that wanted to run and wrestle. Water fountain in season. There is a separate area for smaller dogs. I can here because there was a long line of cars waiting to get in at Cherry Creek. It’ll do but the dirt surface isn’t that appealing.
UPDATE JULY 2024:
We were in the area and had reason to visit this park again. It looks like it’s undergoing a bit of change. They are adding a walking track around the perimeter, which looks to be halfway complete. Not sure if it will remain the black gravel or be paved eventually. Also, if you look at the pictures from a year ago, the park was pretty green. Since then, gravel has been added to the great majority of the park (or somehow the green was overgrowing it, but I don’t believe that the case). The gravel is similar to very small aquarium gravel. Not sand. Certainly not the easiest stuff to walk in if you’re off the main path, but the dog seem to do fine.
There are well spaced trash cans and doggy bag facilities around the park. As with my last visit, I found that the doggie bag dispenser was mostly empty this morning, but the others around the park were full. Understandable given that it’s right at the entry. But they almost need a second dispenser. Seating for humans is quite limited to the front of the park, however. The back side of the loop has next to no bench seating, and certainly no shade on the walking path. Just keep that in mind on these hot days.
Otherwise, this is still a great park for the puppies. Very large with plenty of space to explore. I imagine it gets quite busy on weekends as many of the big parts do. There is plenty of parking, along with bathrooms, so that’s not a problem.
AUGUST 2023:
This is a decent dog park. This was our first time as we don’t live close to here, but it was convenient given our errands and was a nice surprise.
Pros:
* big, lots of room to run and play.
* decent walking track around the circumference of the park. Easy to walk either direction. The path is worn in from use, so sections are “single track,” but no big deal.
* more than typical doggie bag and trash can installations.
* dog agility ramps/structures.
*separate area for dogs that may need to stay away from “the pack”
* nice covered patio area with a few tables and a water station.
* main park is covered with green 4-6″ weeds, but given the rain they were soft. No prickles.
* nice humans about.
* good parking right at the park, and I think I saw bathrooms (but could be wrong about that). The parking also services the trails, so it can full up, buy wasn’t a problem this day, so I assume OK in general.
* for morning sun, the entry has 6 or so large aspens that provide a nice shade area.
* nice heavy gates so dogs don’t go in/out by themselves. Someone added a bungie cord so the main inside door closes by itself more readily.
Cons:
* busy on a Sunday, which was great! But they only have a single doggie bag station at the front, and it was completely empty. Probably needs a second one. The station at the far end of the park was packs with three full rolls, so we snagged one and brought it up front. Seemed like maybe the park wasn’t serviced before the busy weekend/Sunpriceless.
* the downside to the 4-6″ main areas is that it’s the perfect height to hide poop landmines that don’t get picked up. Tread carefully.
* water is only at the entrance to the park. Given the park size, keep that in mind.
We love this dog park. Beautiful memorial dedication for the soldier and his K9. Large and small dog areas. Several poop bag and can stations throughout. Not much shade in the open space of the park, but covered benches at the front in the large dog area and a smaller one in the small dog area. It is small gravel pebbles vs sand. They just put in a walkway along the perimeter of the park for those who enjoy getting their steps in (it is MUCH easier to walk around the park and not lose your footing because of the sand). Also disc golf area next to the dog park. Water fountain with several dog water bowls inside the big dog area.
Sometimes the “Tennis Ball Fairy” (only because I’ve never seen anyone do this myself) comes and drops a TON of tennis balls in the park.
There are pit toilet bathrooms outside of the park that are clean and doesn’t stink as bad as others i have used. There is always toilet paper stocked in the bathrooms as well as hand sanitizer.
I have heard of recent in-the-middle-of-the-day break ins in cars in the parking lot…no matter how close or far, which is sad to hear… so take any and all valuables with you!
The small dog area was still a lot of fun. Plenty of room to run and play, but no water available on site yet(too cold?)