Hayden Council allocates $150,000 for off‑leash dog park near Hayden Lake Road

Hayden City Council voted on Jan. 24 to allocate $150,000 from the city parks reserve fund to develop a new off‑leash dog park at a city-owned site near Hayden Lake Road. The approved project will include fenced areas for large and small dogs, shade structures, drinking fountains, and ADA-accessible pathways.

City staff said the park is intended to fill growing demand among local dog owners and to reduce conflicts in multi-use open spaces that have become busier in recent years. Councilors emphasized the need for a designated location where pets can exercise safely and where other park users can enjoy trails and fields without unexpected encounters.

The council allocated the funds with a timeline that puts construction on track to begin this spring and a projected opening in late summer. City staff plan to host community input sessions to finalize which amenities will be installed and to recruit volunteer groups to assist with future maintenance. The planning process will determine exact fencing layouts, placement of shade structures, and locations for drinking fountains and accessible routes.

For residents, the new park promises a dedicated space for dogs that separates off‑leash activity from walking and recreational areas. Owners who have been managing leash rules in multi-use spaces can look forward to improved options for exercise and socialization for their pets. The ADA-accessible pathways aim to ensure that people with mobility needs can access the facility, broadening who can use the site.

The decision draws on local priorities for safe, usable public spaces and on practicalities of upkeep. By tapping the parks reserve fund, Hayden City Council is prioritizing a project that city staff and councilors view as an investment in quality of life and in reducing wear and conflicts on shared trails and fields. Volunteer involvement for maintenance also reflects a community-minded approach to long-term stewardship.

While the project is modest in scale compared with larger municipal park initiatives, its specific amenities and location near Hayden Lake Road position it to become a regular destination for dog owners across Kootenai County. City staff will announce dates and locations for the community input sessions in coming weeks as plans move from design to construction. Residents can expect construction activity this spring and a new off‑leash option by late summer.