One lazy summer afternoon my family and I met some friends at a park in P-town. While lounging in the grass as my preschooler spun on the merry-go-round nearby, a large shaggy dog loped over to us. My husband, who I’m convinced was a dog in past life, reached his hand to pet the top of our new furry friend’s head, just as the dog lifted his leg and proceed to pee all over our blanket.

Now I’m not dog-phobic, we have two playful pooches in our household and I’m under constant threat by my husband and son to adopt a third. As a city dweller, I appreciate and understand the necessity for wide open dog grounds. Our pups salivate at the sight of car keys paired with a tennis ball. It’s just that when I’m at the park I really don’t want to be peed on. Is that so much to ask?

Kathleen Hansen, President of DOGPAW, a Clark County non-profit that works with the community to provide and maintain safe, clean, and fun off-leash areas, explains that dog parks in Vancouver are unique in their design.

“In Portland, there are a number of shared spaces which inherently create more challenges. For instance, most of the off-leash parks in Portland are small and near children’s play equipment and picnic tables. Additionally, because of limited space, many of these areas end up as mud bowls during the fall and winter months.”

DOGPAW was founded by Pat Weinkauf in the early 2000’s. At that time a group of dog owners had staked claim at Pacific Park, a 56-acre empty field, using it as an unofficial off-leash park. Weinkauf began organizing people to pick up waste and keep the space maintained. When the parks department decided to develop the land a few years later, dog owners learned the plans didn’t include a formal off-leash area. After a number of heated community meetings, eight acres of the park were dedicated to the hounds. Today, the space is known as Dakota Park, fittingly named after a Vancouver police dog that died in the line of duty.

Two additional off-leash parks, Ross and Brush Prairie, were constructed by DOGPAW members and volunteers. Hansen reports that the start-up cost per park ranges between $10,000 and $15,000.

“We pushed for larger parks—all of our sites are around eight acres or more. Some offer rock trails, dog and people fountains, and bathrooms. We also made a distinction early on that our parks are for dogs. Adults, children, families are welcome and there’s never a fee for usage, but these are not mixed-use spaces.”

Maintaining these fertile grounds isn’t an easy task. From mowing to waste removal and bark chip placement, DOGPAW credits its ever-growing membership and volunteer base for keeping the parks in top-notch condition. In 2004, the organization’s first official meeting drew 50 members. This year membership is expected to exceed 800. A single membership is $15 per year and a family membership is $25. Funds generated through membership fees go directly to the upkeep of current parks and development of future parks. Volunteers are negotiating a new site in Washougal, which they hope to break ground on by the end of the summer. Future plans also include sites at Vancouver Lake and near the Clark County Fairgrounds.

Hansen believes one of the most valued volunteer roles is community education.

“The majority of dog owners who visit our parks are extremely responsible and thrilled to have a safe place for their dogs to run,” she said.

DOGPAW created a volunteer-based task force to address issues that might arise from the few owners who abuse park privileges. The task force collaborated with animal control, the police, and the parks department to establish and enforce rules in the parks. According to Hansen, this has translated into increased awareness and vigilance.

“We’ve noticed dog owners taking a more proactive stance in the parks,” she said. “If someone forgets to remove waste, it’s likely another owner will remove it for them. Our volunteers will help educate small children on how to interact safely with dogs, and, intervene with aggressive dogs or owners.”

So as I venture out this summer I’m armed with the knowledge that, thanks to DOGPAW, I’m much less likely to get peed on in a ‘Couve park.

For more information about membership and volunteer opportunities visit: www.clarkdogpaw.org or call 888-899-0025.

Kate Dyer-Seeley is a mom, a writer, a coffee junkie and avid reader. Her column appears every other issue in The Voice.