🐾 Kids at the Dog Park: Real Stories, Safety Risks & Smarter Solutions
If you’ve spent time at an off-leash park, you’ve probably seen it:A parent strolls in with a stroller 🚼 or […]
Located at 71 Potomac Ave SE, Dock 79 & Maren Dog Park offers a unique dog-friendly space by the river for Washington, DC’s pet owners and their pups. Although marked as private for residents of nearby buildings, entry enforcement has been inconsistent as of August 2023. The park boasts a single, generously sized play area fully enclosed with chest-height fencing, featuring a mix of turf, dirt, and woodchip surfaces. There are plenty of seating options with Adirondack chairs and planters, plus dog owners will appreciate the river views and pet-friendly atmosphere.
This dog park is wheelchair accessible and has useful amenities like poop bags, a water spigot and bowl for thirsty pups, and multiple platforms and play features, including a tube for agile dogs. While some shade is provided by a few trees, most of the area is unshaded and can get muddy after rain. The park is well maintained, with quick repairs and ongoing upkeep. Dog owners in Washington, DC looking for a lively spot for their pets to socialize will find Dock 79 & Maren Dog Park a fun and functional choice.
Guarantee you dog will get dirty
So fun!
–SIZING–
Includes a single large play area ringed by chest-height fences.
–SURFACE–
A small artificial turf by the entrance is where most people & dogs now congregate, with the majority of the park somewhere between dirt & woodchipped.
–WATER–
Spigot/bowl on-site
–SHADE–
Some trees on one side of the park provide some shade, but mostly unshaded.
–INTERACTION–
Several platforms, a tube, benches, and some planters provide a versatile play area.
–ENVIRONMENT–
Somewhat loud due to the proximity to South Capitol Street & several helicopter pads.
–SEATING–
Multiple Adirondack chairs and planters.
–COMMUNITY–
Dogs get along great; never had an issue here. Humans, however, have been pretty poor at remaining masked throughout the pandemic.
Used to be great. Unfortunately when they replaced the grass with turf they cut the useable area by about 70%. The majority of it is a muddy mulch mess now anytime there’s a light shower. Maintenance does do a great job of filling holes and fixing issues quickly. Just wish they would’ve maintained the size when putting in turf.
Sign says this is for residents of the nearby buildings only but that is not currently (august 2023) enforced via key fob or other means. Great, large park with lots of poop bags & a nice view of the river. No water fountain built in, some areas flood with rain but overall the turf & sand is clean.