​Saranac Lake Dog Park Association

The SLDPA is a grassroots volunteer organization dedicated to bringing a fenced-in dog park to the Village of Saranac Lake where local residents and visitors to the area may allow their dogs to safely and legally exercise, play and socialize off-leash. The Saranac Lake Dog Park will be a welcoming environment, fostering community involvement and responsible pet ownership. It has the potential to bring numerous benefits to local residents, their dogs, and the community as a whole.

 

Benefits to dog owners

The health benefits of dog ownership are well known; the exercise and stress relief that canine companionship provides chief among them. Above and beyond these, the dog park will provide a dedicated place for dog owners to socialize with others who share an interest in dogs and foster a sense of community among residents and visitors alike. The love people share for their dogs reaches beyond economic and social barriers. Park users will also benefit from the opportunity to discuss dog care and training as well as solutions to problems they might be having with their pets.

 

Benefits to the dogs

There are many wonderful places in the Adirondacks to walk dogs, but as most pet owners know, when laws and regulations require that they must be kept on leash, this does not provide adequate exercise for most dogs. Young, healthy dogs, especially, need to run. And although dogs are highly social pack animals, many rarely get to interact socially with other dogs. While dogs do bond closely with their human companions, in households where all human members of the family work outside the home, dogs may spend many hours alone each day. Dogs, just like people, can get lonely. A dog park provides the space for controlled social interaction, and gives dogs a place to exercise and socialize safely. Well-socialized dogs tend to have better public conduct, and better encounters with both others dogs and people.

 

Benefits to the community

A dog park is an attractive amenity not just for residents of Saranac Lake and surrounding areas, but also for visitors and potential residents. A dedicated dog exercise area promotes public health and safety by decreasing the likelihood of off-leash dogs in other parklands and public spaces. Well-exercised dogs are better neighbors who are less likely to create a nuisance, bark excessively, and destroy property. A dog park could also provide a potential location for community dog-related activities and events.