Cottonwood Dog Park, Salt Lake City, UT

04/16/2025

The season for foxtails and hot pavement is coming up. Please remember to always bring water with you on hikes and never take your dogs out on hikes in the heat. It’s too hard on them. Not worth the risk. Too many dogs die from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Planning a Hike with Your Pup this Summer? Learn about the dangers of foxtail seeds for dogs and prevent a potentially serious infection.

04/07/2025

The parking lot on Redwood Rd has been closed for the time being. Parking is available in the lot next to the playground and pavilions at North Star Drive, about a half block south.
There have been reports a security guard for the construction area there has been telling people they can’t park there - he’s incorrect. Parking is available for park-goers. (Part of the lot belonged to the Utah Dept of Agriculture, which has been torn down.)
The walk is a bit farther, but the good news is there is far fewer drug traffic in the area thanks to the trail closure. See you all at the park!

03/17/2025

Hey everyone, if you see this little guy at the park, his name is Happy. He lives in the cul de sac on the east side of the park. If you see him in the park by himself, it’s because someone let him inside the park to keep him safe. He frequently escapes his yard to come over and play. If you see him on the trail, he’ll likely follow you in. Animal Control knows who he is, and they know he might be inside the park from time to time by himself. I get texts from park goers letting me know he’s here and I text his owner. He’s always grateful to know we’re looking out for his little guy.

02/26/2025

If you’re looking for a local groomer, I’ve been taking my dogs to Crystal Medina in Glendale for the last few years, and she’s does a great job. My cat even loves her, lol. Her pricing is also extremely fair.
Just make sure to SHOW UP for your appointments or reschedule in advance. She’s a single owner groomer, and no-shows really impact her business. She can fill vacancies on short notices, but no-shows aren’t ok. Just an fyi on common courtesy.
Here’s her phone (480) 776-9442

02/21/2025

Hi everyone, I know the recent uptick in open-air drug activity and loitering has been intolerable and feels extremely unsafe lately. Please do not hesitate to call 911 at ANY point if you feel unsafe, harassed or threatened in ANY way. The police have increased patrols and arrests in the area for the last several weeks, which has resulted in a concentration of criminal and drug activity near the dog park, public restrooms and parking lot.
You have a right to feel safe. You have a right to be in public space, free from harassment or threats of any kind. Please be aware of your surroundings. I recommend heading home before it gets dark as the foot traffic and drug activity seem to increase after sunset. Remember to lock your vehicles and keep any valuables out of sight.
This is a tough time for our area of the city, and especially our beloved trails and parks.
If you would like to join the Fairpark Community Neighborhood Watch page, updates on recent criminal activity are posted there for your information.
If you experience something here at the dog park and would like to inform or warn others, please feel free to post here on this page.
I encourage all of you to email and call the Mayor’s office, District 1 City Council Member Victoria Petro, Senator Luz Escamilla, Representative Sandra Hollins, Sandra Hollins, Governor Cox, the Salt Lake County Mayor’s office and your own city council member if you live outside of District One.
Please don’t stop coming to the dog park, enjoying the outdoors and recreating with your pups! We should all feel comfortable in public space. We should all feel safe to recreate in our open space, and use it for its intended purposes. The current policies to move the drugs and crime from downtown area in an effort to display a clean and vibrant city to our visitors, pushing it into
West side communities is the epitome of racist and classist government action. We deserve better than this. Our children, especially, deserve better than this. The only way to get lawmakers and decision makers to take any meaningful action means ALL of us must use our voices, write emails, contact the media, make phone calls and make noise. If you wait for someone else to do it, what we’re experiencing will only get worse. Use your voice and demand better for this beautiful area!

02/16/2025

Hi everyone, you may remember a beautiful friend, Allison B. from Scotland. She would come to the dog park with her son and their three dogs, Jackie, Pepper, Tracy. Her service is this Saturday, Feb 22, at North Point church 2/22/2025 from 11:00am to 1:00pm 1460 N Morton Dr. If any one would like to attend.

01/05/2025

Hey everyone, a gal lost her key fob in the dog park this afternoon, and it’s the only one she has for her car. We looked until after dark and still couldn’t find it. Please spread the word. She needs her key to get to work. It’s a Ford key fob black. Please comment here if you found it and I’ll get you in touch with the owner.

11/14/2024

This key was found in the dog park. It’s on the concrete table

10/10/2024

Call to Action: Stand Up for Accessible Entry to Cottonwood Dog Park
It has come to our attention that the SLC Parks Department and the city are delaying the replacement of the main bridge to Cottonwood Dog Park, a vital entryway for all visitors, including those requiring ADA accommodations. This delay impacts our community, and the replacement could take up to one to two years.
Here is a snip of what the city has shared with us:
“A few years ago, a fallen tree limb damaged the bridge in Cottonwood Park, restricting its use to a single lane for visitors accessing the dog park. Since then, Public Lands has been exploring funding options for repairs or replacement. Recently, an inspection by the Public Lands property maintenance team and Engineering revealed additional safety concerns, including broken wood slats and metal corrosion. Due to the seriousness of these findings, the decision was made to close the bridge for public safety. Given the extent of the corrosion, repairing the bridge is not feasible, and a full replacement is recommended. Public Lands staff are currently working on cost estimates and planning to proceed with the replacement as soon as possible. However, the timeline will depend on securing the necessary funding and completing the planning process. For now, we expect the detour to remain in effect for at least one year. Future planning for this area includes using funds from the Parks, Trails, & Open Space General Obligation Bond (GO Bond), approved in November 2022, Cottonwood Park will be "reimagined" to better reflect safety, cleanliness, neighborhood needs and identities. More information regarding the Cottonwood Park: GO Bond Project can be found on the project page, where you can also sign up to receive project updates.”
This detour affects us all, but especially those in need of ADA accommodations. We cannot wait years for access to be restored.
If you believe this issue deserves immediate action, we urge you to contact city officials. Let your voice be heard and advocate for a timely solution that ensures safe and accessible entry for all.
Here’s how you can help:
• Reach out to the key individuals listed below via email or phone.
• Express your concerns about the delay and emphasize the importance of ADA accessibility and timely repairs.
Together, we can push for a faster resolution and ensure that Cottonwood Dog Park remains a welcoming space for everyone. Let’s make our voices count!
Public Lands - 801.972.7800
Trails & Natural Lands - 801.535.7800
Trails & Natural Lands - Division Director: Toby Hazelbaker - (801) 972-7800 [email protected]
Parks, Natural Lands, Forestry and Trails Board: Ashlyn Larsen - (801) 972-7890 [email protected]
SLC Mayor: Erin Mendenhall - (801) 535-7704 [email protected]

09/02/2024

From a park goer this morning: “I found a wallet on the bench just outside the gate of the dog park. Has joey brent prokopis as the name. I turned it into the pioneer police department.”