Patty Hawley, an instructor with Joyce's Dogs, owns a two-acre field in Clearview, fenced with 4-foot-high field fencing, available for use for a small fee by students, as well as other approved owners and their dogs.
If you're not familiar with the field, it is a fantastic place to condition a dog. It includes flat places to run, but also big hills for developing hindquarter strength and wind for sprinting. Walking the field from one end to the other up and down the hills is great conditioning for both you and your dog. Because of the hills, the field feels bigger than it actually is.
There are natural hazards, such as mole holes, a few blackberry brambles, and during about 9 months of the year some water that also runs through horse pastures. Our dogs have never been sick from drinking this, but it's not impossible. It is possible for a motivated dog to find places to get through the fence at the bottom, and a really motivated dog could probably get over the fence. A liability release form will be signed before you access the park.
The fee for field use is $20 per month for unlimited open run. Open run fees mean there will be no reservation required or available. If you show up to use the field while someone else is using it, you will need to work with that person to determine if they want to share the field or not. There is no obligation to share – anyone already using the field should never feel obligated or pressured to share. The existing user will have 20 minutes to finish up there use of the field before it is the next person's turn.
In the future there will be a reservation system put in place. This will allow use of the field by those who don't want to or don't have the flexibility to wait. The fee will be an additional $5 per half hour to have a reservation. The reserved times will be posted on a calendar online a minimum of 24 hours in advance. This program is still being worked out. If you're interested, contact Patty at 206-313-0602 to let her know.
There will be an initial limit of 20 users per month. The fee is due by the date of your first use and on that day of the month thereafter. There may at some point be a lock whose combination changes monthly. When you pay, you get the new combination.
Contact Patty at 206-313-0602 to get on the list for access to the off-leash park.