Cinnamon's Thanksgiving: I am Thankful for the Vancouver, WA Area Dog Parks

Here I am, hunting, at Ross Dog Park

When I can run free, my ears flapping in the breeze, and spend an hour greeting every dog and human who enters the dog park, I am happy. This Thanksgiving I want to say that I am very grateful for all the dog parks in the Vancouver, WA area where I live: 

In 2005, the Vancouver City Council amended the city leash law and the Board of Clark County Commissioners amended the county code to allow development of off-leash areas.

Since then, Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation has partnered with Clark County DOGPAW (Dog Owners Group for Park Access in Washington) to help identify, develop and maintain new off-leash areas. DOGPAW also collaborates with other cities and private property owners, like the Bonnevile Power Administration, in their effort to develop new dog parks. 

DOGPAW relies on membership fees and donations to maintain its dog parks and build new ones in Clark County. Membership only costs $15/year for individuals or $25/year for families, and is tax deductible. Visit DOGPAW's website to find out more, or to sign up online: www.clarkdogpaw.org. 

Locations

Get directions to dog parks

Ross Off-Leash Dog Recreation Area (west Vancouver)
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) donated use of nine acres on the south end of the Ross Complex for an off-leash area. DOGPAW members put up fences, installed waste disposal stations, drafted rules for canine and human users of the park, and are responsible for maintaining the park. This is the first collaboration of its kind between the city of Vancouver, BPA and DOGPAW.

NE Ross St at NE 15th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98663 (45.658046,-122.6556)

• I-5 exit #3 (Hazel Dell’s Hwy 99)
• Head north on Hwy 99
• Go east on NE Ross St to NE 15th Ave
• Parking at C-TRAN BPA Park & Ride at 15th Ave, with Handicap/Maintenance Entrance at 18th Ave

*Street parking prohibited 

Ross Dog Park

Dakota Memorial Dog Park at Pacific Community Park (east Vancouver)
This 8-acre dog park is located on the north side of Pacific Community Park, on NE 18th Street between 164th and 172nd Avenue in east Vancouver. It is fully fenced with two double-gated entrances accessible from the two parking lots inside the community park. Please note that dogs must be leashed in the parking lot and in all other areas outside the fenced dog park. The dog park features a gravel perimeter trail through open lawn and forested areas, a rustic log agility course, benches and drinking fountains. A dog rinse off area is located on the back side of the restroom on the west side of the park closest to NE 164th Avenue (Note: Dogs must be leashed at the rinse off area and all other areas outside the dog park). A separate area for dogs under 25 pounds is available on this site. 

NE 18th St at NE 164th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684 (45.63567, -122.50388)

Dakota Dog Park

• From I-205 exit #28 (Mill Plain Blvd) east. Go north on 164th Ave.
• From I-5 exit #1A/B (Hwy 14) east. Go north on 164th Ave.
• From SR-500 (NE Fourth Plain Blvd) east. Go south on 164th Ave.
• 1515 NE 164th Ave 98684.
• Entrances off 164th Ave and 172nd Ave (south of 18th St).

Brush Prairie Off-Leash Dog Park
Clark County partnered with DOGPAW to develop this 7.5-acre dog park in 2008. It is located adjacent to the Lauretta Noreen Forest Preserve on NE 149th Street at NE 101st Place, on the west side of NE 117th Avenue (State Route 503). It includes a separate one-acre small (under 25 lbs) dog area.

The park, which is fully fenced with a double-gated entrance accessible on 149th Street, has limited on-site parking. Overflow parking is available at the nearby Center for Agriculture, Science, and Environmental Education (CASEE), at 11104 N.E. 149th Street.

NE 149th St at NE 101st Pl, Brush Prairie, WA 98606 (45.72954, -122.56973)

• I-205 exit #32 (BATTLE GROUND).
• Head east on PADDEN PKWY.
• Go north on NE 117th Ave (SR-503).
• Go west on NE 149TH ST.
• Entrance at 149th St with overflow parking at CASEE.
  *Street parking prohibited.

Stevenson Off-Leash Area
Clark County DOGPAW partnered with the city of Washougal in 2009 to develop this park, which is located at 3003 Addy St., just north of State Route 14 in Washougal. The site is 7.5 acres in size with a separate, one-acre space for small (under 25 lbs) dogs.

Westside of Bi-Mart between Main St and Addy St (45.576787,-122.340231)

• From the North, take I-205 exit 27 (Lewis and Clark Hwy/WA-14 toward Camas)
• From the South, take I-5 exit 1A (Lewis and Clark Hwy/WA-14 toward Camas)
• Turn left at 32nd St
• Turn left at Addy St
• Destination will be on the right
• Parking courtesy of Bi-Mart at 3003 Addy St, Washougal, WA 98671

Kane Memorial Dog Park at Hockinson Meadows Community Park
DOGPAW partnered with Clark County and Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation in 2011 to develop this 2.5-acre park inside Hockinson Meadows Community Park at 10910 NE 172nd Ave., north of NE 99th Street. It is fully fenced and gated. There is no separate area for small dogs at this park. Dogs must be leashed when outside the dog park, including on the main public trails and in the parking lots. Maps and other information.

NE 172nd & NE 119th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606 (45.702043, -122.501936)

• I-205, Exit #32, Padden Pkwy
• Head east on NE Padden Pkwy toward NE 117th Ave (SR-503)
• Continue onto NE Ward Rd
• Slight left at NE 172nd Ave
• 10910 NE 172nd Ave 98606
• Please walk your leashed dog, from either parking lot, to the temp OLA north of the ball fields.
  (15 min - 6.3 miles from hwy)