Durham County

Durham’s muddiest dog park is closing this month after storm damage, city announces

Nicole Bis brings Henry, an 8 month old boxer, to visit the Mary Warner Mack Dog Park for the quarterly open house Saturday morning.
Nicole Bis brings Henry, an 8 month old boxer, to visit the Mary Warner Mack Dog Park for the quarterly open house Saturday morning.

One of Durham’s dog parks is permanently closing this month.

Northgate Dog Park’s last day is Oct. 30, the city announced.

The low-lying park is often muddy and has been planned to be decommissioned for nearly a decade, but recent storm damage to the fence put the final nail in the coffin, according to city officials.

The area will be turned into green space, which the city hopes will improve water quality in Ellerbe Creek. Last year, the creek was given a “D” grade.

To replace the closing park, the city opened Rock Quarry Dog Park this spring. It’s near Duke Regional Hospital and the county stadium.

The city will continue operating four dog parks after Northgate closes. They are open daily from dawn to dusk and have separate play areas for small and large dogs.

  • Downtown Durham Dog Park
  • PetSafe Dog Park at Duke Park
  • Piney Wood Dog Park
  • Rock Quarry Dog Park

Dogs must be registered to play. Visit dprplaymore.org for more information.

Genny takes a short rest after several sprints with the other dogs at the Millbrook Exchange Dog Park in Raleigh on Friday, March 18, 2022. The park has separate play areas for small and large dogs.
Genny takes a short rest after several sprints with the other dogs at the Millbrook Exchange Dog Park in Raleigh on Friday, March 18, 2022. The park has separate play areas for small and large dogs. Juli Leonard jleonard@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published October 20, 2023 at 11:41 AM.

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Mary Helen Moore
The News & Observer
Mary Helen Moore covers Durham for The News & Observer. She grew up in Eastern North Carolina and attended UNC-Chapel Hill before spending several years working in newspapers in Florida. Outside of work, you might find her reading, fishing, baking, or going on walks (mainly to look at plants).
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