Maintenance work will keep Queen Creek’s Pocket Park for Pups at Founders' Park closed from July 1 – Aug. 31. In the meantime, the town will have a pop-up dog park available in another section of Founders' Park.

Open 365 days a year, Queen Creek’s Pocket Park for Pups is a heavily used and popular facility, but that heavy use has taken a toll on the site, specifically in its ability to grow turf. 

According to a press release, the closure will allow staff to recondition the soil and conduct deep watering, giving the roots time to strengthen and grow deeper into the soil. Deeper, healthier roots promote turf growth even with heavy use.

The pop-up dog park will be located on the north side of Founders' Park, 22407 S. Ellsworth Road. There will be a designated area for small/timid dogs and a separate area for large/active dogs.

Parking for the small-dog area will be in the northwest parking lot (access from Ellsworth or Aldecoa roads).

Parking for the large-dog area will be in the Aldecoa lot (east side of park, access from Aldecoa Road).

The town asks guests to keep their dogs on a leash from their vehicle until they are inside the dog park, as well as anytime they are in a public space other than the designated dog park.

Residents who want more space for their dogs might be wondering why the pop-up park is temporary, especially since the Pocket Park for Pups is so popular. According to the town’s website, there are three reasons for keeping the pop-up park temporary:

Safety – Use of Aldecoa Ball Field is minimal during the hottest part of summer, so conflict is limited. However, as use increases, the number of baseballs and softballs being hit into the temporary dog park area will rise. Costly changes such as adding tall netting to the outfield fencing would be needed to make the pop-up park permanent.

Turf - The turf in this location currently has low use/wear and tear. It is thin and sparse in many areas. If the use becomes regular, the grass will die off. Also, because of how much shade is in the area it will be difficult for the turf to grow back.

Improvements - If this area were to become a permanent dog park for year-round use, additional infrastructure would be needed, such as permanent lighting, potable water, permanent fencing and more.

For more information about the temporary dog park, visit QueenCreekAZ.gov/PopUpDogPark.