By Emily Harrington
All dogs go to Heaven? No, they go to the Urbana Dog Park at 1501 E. Perkins Rd. in Urbana. On a nice day, particularly just before 8 a.m. and just after 5 p.m., this canine paradise is hoppin’ or rather barkin.’
Champaign-Urbana is lucky to be able to share the resources each has to offer and the dog park system is one of the true shareable assets of the close-knit cities. The Urbana Dog Park was developed in 2003, about five years earlier than the Champaign Bark District. Both are great places for dogs to run sans leash. In fact, there are not many differences in the fine print between the two dog parks. The rules are basically the same. Your dog needs to be able to get along with a wide variety of dogs and be controlled while not on a leash. Most importantly, children must be at least 6 years old and accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter the park. For a complete list of rules and comprehensive membership information, visit the park’s page on the Urbana Park District website.
The Urbana Dog Park is also a membership-based program. Although, you can check out the dog park for a day before making the membership commitment. At the entrance to the park there is a box with waivers and release forms. Complete and place the forms along with $5 in the envelope provided. Completed forms and fee can go in the box.
Annual dues:
- One Dog (Resident): $38
- One Dog (Non-resident): $57
- Each Additional Dog: $6
The Champaign and Urbana Dog Parks have reciprocal agreements. If you have a membership at either park you can use the other facility for no additional charge.
The big difference between the two parks is simple aesthetics. The Urbana Dog Park is thick with foliage. You and your furry friends can seek shade under one of many mature trees. The park is basically a gated forest. There are benches all around so you can take a rest while keeping an eye on your canine(s). It’s a beautiful park and a great place for you and your dog to be one with nature.
There is plenty of close parking, a dog wash to keep your dog cool and clean, a dog/human water fountain, a portable potty for dog owners and a small-gated area for timid dogs.
From dawn until dusk you and your canine(s) can burn energy and make friends—furry and human. That’s one of the great things about the 10-acre Urbana Dog Park. It is made up of a community of people and animals that often develop relationships with one another inside and outside the gates. The loyal members are always excepting of new members and their pets. It’s a friendly environment always looking for new faces and muzzles.
Emily Harrington is a Chambana townie that left her 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job to be a 24/7 mom to a dreamy son. Still interested in writing, Emily uses some of naptime to practice her passion and keep her mind right. Emily is a happy wife with a happy life because she fell for a fellow townie. Oh, and let’s not forget her other son, a degenerate canine named Heppenheimer.