15-03-2025
Out with the old, in with the new: Upgraded OKC dog park attracts canines, owners to Midtown
Many agree the grass is greener on the specially designed artificial turf of the new Midtown Mutts Dog Park at the corner of Harvey Avenue and NW 10, open to beagles, malamutes, pointers, bulldogs — and mutts.
Neighborhood resident Addie Smith's handsome purebred Labrador Retriever, Sage, seems to like the canine playground. So does she.
Addie, who mostly uses a wheelchair for mobility due to a connective tissue disorder, said the new park offers her a paved road to enter the metal fenced-in area with Sage, her service dog.
"I find a little bit of a benefit with [the new park], because I can even bring my wheelchair in safely," the 22-year-old Midtown resident said.
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Smith's experience at the former dog park had been difficult because of the unkept, uneven and often muddy grounds.
Even stepping into the park posed a danger. With one entrance built upon several steps and a tin trailer on the other, Smith left her wheelchair behind and used a cane, leaving her more vulnerable to injury.
Smith's friend, 47-year-old JD Johnson, appreciates the new park's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design, which requires public buildings and facilities to meet certain criteria to ensure physical accessibility for people with disabilities, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
"The amenities are awesome, because I'm big on being ADA compliant, and I love it," he said.
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Nate Passanante, a 35-year-old who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, said the place has become a favorite for both him and his dog, Doc, allowing them a place to spend time outdoors with others.
"Having places like this are really important when you have PTSD," said Passanante. "There are days that I wouldn't even leave the house if it wasn't for him."
Patton Simpson, owner of Shaka inside The Collective Kitchens and Cocktails, expects the restaurant will likely see an uptick of customers who can walk across the street to eat outside on its dog-friendly patio. It's a better view, he added.
"It's attractive," said Simpson. "We have a patio. It's better than looking at a building. I'd rather look across the street and see a bunch of dogs playing around. For the most part, it's beneficial to get more people outdoors, and they'll get to be more involved with their community's surrounding."
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The new dog park — roughly 22,500 square feet of space — features a variety of amenities, including bright red picnic tables under a covered gazebo, restrooms and a concrete walkway.
More amenities are coming to the area, which already features an adjacent pickleball court, including 61 new trees, a sand volleyball court, approximately 300-pound cornhole games, a grass area for leisurely activity and cleaned up nearby alleys, according to Chris Fleming, a partner of Midtown Renaissance. Costs have not been disclosed.
The previous Midtown dog park location at 407 W Park Place is still in use, but it's expected to shut down permanently by mid-April, Fleming said.
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However, Midtown residents don't seem to mind leaving the old park behind. Instead, more people are flocking to the new dog park, especially now that it has running water, and there's a bigger crowd.
Jay Roudybush, a 35-year-old who works in IT and moved to the area around six months ago, said he loves the park's design and hopes more dog-friendly events would result from the development.
"I love the park," he said. "I love the modern feel, the new location across from The Collective and its turf. It keeps my dog from getting gross."
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Upgraded Oklahoma City dog park attracts canines, owners to Midtown
