What is RUFF?
RUFF stands for Renton's Unleashed Furry Friends, and is a non-profit corporation chartered by the State of Washington. RUFF was established in April 2009 with the goal of working in partnership with the City of Renton to fund, build, and maintain an off-leash dog park pilot project at a previously-designated site along the Cedar River Trail. RUFF is an all-volunteer organization run by a core group of dedicated volunteers, with meetings open to all interested individuals. RUFF works closely with city staff at the Renton Community Center and the Parks & Recreation Division to
Is RUFF a part of the S.O.D.A. organization?
RUFF received a good deal of advice and inspiration from the wonderful people at S.O.D.A. (which manages both Marymoor and Grandview off-leash areas), but RUFF is not associated with S.O.D.A. or any other dog park organization.
Are donations to RUFF tax-deductible?
Yes! RUFF is a fund of the Renton Community Foundation (RCF), which has a 501(c)3 non-profit designation. Therefore, contributions made to RUFF are fully tax-deductible under the law. Please see our donations page for more information.
How large is the dog park?
The dog park is approximately 3.75 acres in size, including the shy/small dog area.
Are you going to build a permanent shade/weather shelter in the dog park?
We are bound by very specific rules set forth by King County and the state that prohibit the construction of permanent structures on the site. As an alternative, we have temporarily erected a sturdy 10x20 ft. canopy shelter inside the park, which we provides year-round protection from the elements.
Will drinking water be available year-round?
Water will be available in the main off-leash area from April through October, but will be shut off during the colder months due to the water line's susceptibility to frost damage. It will be necessary for dog owners to bring drinking water for their dogs during that period.
Are you going to build a second entrance at the far end of the park?
We recognize that a second entrance at the far SE end of the dog park would be convenient for many people, so we plan to build another double-gated entry corral there in 2010. The gate will connect to the existing short pathway leading to the Cedar River Trail. If you'd like to volunteer to help build the second entrance, please fill out our volunteer form.
Are there plans to install lighting at the dog park?
We would love to install lighting at the dog park and along the initial segment of the Cedar River Trail leading to the dog park. Doing so would allow the dog park to be used in the evening hours year round. Unfortunately, our efforts to install lighting have been stymied by state and county land use requirements. It's complicated. But we're not giving up quite yet, and we intend to push for lighting in 2010.
Who picks up the dog waste?
You do! RUFF provides degradable "Mutt Mitts" at three (soon to be four) locations in the dog park, and there is also a Mutt Mitt dispenser at the head of the Cedar River Trail. We ask that users of the dog park keep an extra Mutt Mitt or plastic bag available at all times, especially when leaving or entering the dog park via the Cedar River Trail.
Is Renton putting in money toward this park?
Yes, the City of Renton has committed to matching a maximum of $50,000 over two years for the off-leash area. The city's contribution will be a dollar-for-dollar match of the private funds raised by RUFF. RUFF was required to raise a minimum of $20,000 in cash and in-kind donations before construction of the dog park could proceed, which we accomplished in June 2009. Due to the success of RUFF's private fundraising, it's entirely possible that the city will end up spending much less than $50,000 over two years.
Why is the city spending money for a dog park in these tough times?
The amount of money the city has committed to spending for the dog park over two years is a fraction of a percentage of the overall Parks & Recreation budget, and since it's considered a capital project, it falls into an area of the budget that's entirely separate from staff salaries, groundskeeping, and recreation programs. In other words, the dog park is not taking money away from any other project or service. That said, it has always been RUFF's intention to raise as many private funds as possible for the dog park, so as to reduce the city's overall financial obligation. In fact, RUFF is well on its way to privately funding the vast majority of the dog park's expenses for at least two years, including most of the construction costs, thanks to individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and volunteer labor.
I heard this is just a temporary dog park.
While it's true the city has only committed to providing the site for a two year pilot project, that is traditionally how off-leash areas are set up by municipalities. We fully anticipate the dog park to exist on this site for longer than two years, but we can't say it will be there "forever."
Wasn't the same area designated for a sports area and soccer field?
The City's long term plan calls for building sports fields at the site of the off-leash area, but funding for such fields is contingent upon the reconstruction of the I-405/SR-169 interchange, which is many years away. We have no way of knowing what may happen between now and then, but if the dog park is a great success, there will certainly be a great deal of discussion regarding its possible relocation.
Is there an area for shy or small dogs?
Yes, we have built a separate fenced area for small or shy dogs that aren't comfortable playing in the main dog park. The small dog area is about 8,000 sq ft. and has a separate gated entrance. There are no firm rules regarding what size dogs can use the smaller area, so we ask that dog owners use their best judgment in gauging whether their dogs are a good fit for the area. Dogs of all sizes are welcome to use the small/dog area as a secure "socialization" area when it's not in use by others; this can be a good option if a larger dog needs to be introduced slowly into the off-leash environment.
Is the dog park wheelchair accessible?
The pathway from the unimproved parking area to the off-leash area is not officially wheelchair accessible, and the City of Renton has no plans to pave the pathway. As an alternative, RUFF will be building a new entrance to dog park at the far end of the off-leash area. It will be directly connected to the Cedar River Trail via a short pathway of crushed rock, which should be easier for wheelchairs to negotiate. The new entrance will not be "mulched," either. Please stay tuned for the latest news on the new entrance.
Where is parking located?
Parking for the off-leash area is available in the unimproved lot at the head of the Cedar River Trail, located under the I-405 overpass. Parking is also available along the street leading to the trail head. See our driving directions page for details. In addition, there are quite a few parking spaces available on the other side of the Cedar River at the Renton Community Center's west parking lot, which is easily accessed via the pedestrian bridge spanning the river.
What is the greatest need right now?
While we will always need to continue raising money for on-going maintenance and improvements to the off-leash area, what we need most right now is for people to sign up to volunteer to help improve and maintain the park. The more helping hands, the better!
Will dogs be able to swim in the Cedar River? No, the dog park is located on the opposite side of the Cedar River Trail from the Cedar River, and there is no access to the river itself. Should dog owners choose to take their dogs into the Cedar River before or visiting the dog park, they will need to do so on-leash.
I'd like to volunteer. How can I contribute?
The best thing to do would be to complete the volunteer form on our website, and also to attend our next planning meeting; check the Upcoming Events page for details.
Who is maintaining the dog park?
Most of the park maintenance, (general clean-up, mutt mitt restocking, mulch distribution, etc.) is handled by RUFF volunteers. The City of Renton is handling the waste disposal through Waste Management.
Why did you install split rail fencing?
Other dog parks, including Marymoor and Grandview, use split rail fencing for ease of installation, cost effectiveness and durability. It can be easily relocated, as the posts will be set in gravel and dirt, not in concrete. The City of Renton has required that any fencing installed on the dog park site be of a non-permanent nature.
My dog was attacked by an aggressive dog in the dog park! Why do you allow such dogs in the off-leash area? Human visitors to dog parks are often alarmed by apparently aggressive behavior in other dogs, and may be frightened for the safety of their own dogs, leading to confrontations with other dog owners. An "aggressive" dog, as RUFF defines it, is a dog that causes physical injury to another dog or human, or consistently threatens, bullies, or intimidates dogs or people, and whose behavior cannot be controlled by its owner. Rough play (without injury or bullying), especially in younger dogs, is often interpreted as aggressive behavior, when it's usually just part of the normal spectrum of dog social interactions. The saying, "they'll work it out," is usually applicable to such situations, as dogs are incredibly skilled at developing their own social hierarchies, without bloodshed. So-called "dominant" behavior -- such as posturing, growling, mounting, chasing, and nipping -- is frequently a part of developing that hierarchy in settings like a dog park, and it usually passes very quickly once dogs have a chance to set their boundaries. However, it's important for dog owners to monitor their dogs' interactions and intercede when play gets too rough. RUFF recommends the using "shaker cans" (soda cans with coins in them) to distract dogs. A few cans are usually available for shared use within the dog park.
If a dog exhibits such behavior on a continual basis, leading to frequent scuffles with other dogs and creating a constant atmosphere of intimidation and harassment within the off-leash area, then the dog should be removed from the dog park. The same rule applies to human visitors! Final authority on whether a particular dog will
be allowed to use the park will rest with the Renton Police
Department's Animal Control officers. Users of the off-leash area are encouraged to call 911 if they feel threatened by the behavior of
particular dogs (or people).
Are certain breeds of dogs not be allowed in the park?
Renton does not have breed-specific legislation preventing any breed of dog from using City-owned spaces where dogs are allowed. All dogs meeting the behavioral standards posted at the park entrance will be welcome in the off-leash area. The off-leash area will not allow dogs of any type or breed that exhibit clearly aggressive behavior toward other dogs or humans (see the definition of "aggressive" above).