Red Fern Dog Park

Located at 980 North Liberty Road, Red Fern Dog Park is 5.1-acres with two yards open to all dogs and one reserved for small dogs only. The park features a 20-stall parking lot, interior trails, benches, and two park shelters. Future plans include adding agility equipment and a water tap.

Red Fern Dog Park Brochure (PDF)
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By passing through the gates into the park yards, you agree to abide by the park, yard, human, and dog rules outlined below, posted on the park information kiosks, and found in Map, Rules & Etiquette (PDF). Violations and reported incidents will impact your ability to purchase a future pass.

When visiting Red Fern Dog Park, especially during heat advisories, please bring water along for your dog, as there is not a tap on property.

Questions? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail message at (319) 626-5700.

Announcements

Annual Renewal Process:
     January – Renewal emails will be sent to current members.
     February 3, 2025 – Gate code will be changed and 2024 passes will not be valid.
     February – Applications from new members will begin to be processed.

2024, Nov 8 – A curious coyote has been spotted circling Red Fern Dog Park. Please keep a close, careful eye on your pups! This park is situated right next to their homeland, so best to take precautions.

2024, Oct 24 – The southernmost, large All Dog Yard at Red Fern Dog Park will be closed again this coming spring 2025 for six to eight weeks for grass seeding, composting, and other landscape repairs. When considering a renewal or new application, please be aware that one the yards will be temporarily closed (the other two will remain open), as refunds will not be granted.

2024, Feb 13 – North Liberty Ordinance 55.02 (16.) “Off-leash area” means a designated area in which an owner, handler, or custodian may allow or permit a dog to run at large, subject to certain rules and regulations. 55.08 (7.) Any person bringing a dog to an off-leash area must leash the dog when it is outside the off-leash area and must carry a leash for each dog while inside the off-leash area. Please note that the “off-leash areas” at the Red Fern Dog Park are the three fenced yards. Please leash your dog while in the parking lot! Being approached by an unleashed dog in the parking lot can be jarring to dog owners and create an unwanted scenario if a properly-leashed dog feels restricted. Thank you!!

 

Rules & Regulations

Dogs Must:

 

  • Be at least 16 weeks old to enter.
  • Be vaccinated for rabies.
  • Not be in heat.
  • Not be feeling sick or have a communicable disease.
  • Not be deemed “vicious,” “dangerous,” or “aggressive” by the City.
  • Carry your Red Fern Dog Park Annual Pass card on your human or nearby while at the park. Visit this page to purchase a dog park annual pass (in addition, dogs of North Liberty residents must have a current pet license).
  • Stay visible to your human at all times and be ready to listen to a command.
  • Not be in a yard alone without your human.
  • Leave if you are involved in a reportable incident, whether as the instigator or the target. Use this incident report form to submit online.

Humans Must:

  • Be at least 16 years old to enter; if under 16, you must be accompanied by a responsible adult (over 18 years old).
  • Not be feeling sick.
  • Not be handling and/or responsible for more than two dogs.
  • Carry a leash for each dog.
  • Dutifully use a leash on your dog(s) before entering and after leaving a yard, but must remove while dog is in yard.
  • Clean up after the dog(s) in your care, including poop and broken toys. Biodegradable waste bags and trash receptacles are provided.
  • Not conduct lessons or other for-profit activities on park property without written permission from the City of North Liberty. Be prepared to display written permission when asked.
  • Stop displays of dominance, charging, hole-digging, bullying, and excessive barking or mounting.
  • Be responsible for your dog’s actions and behavior at all times, including compensation for repairs to damage of property or medical expenses after a reportable incident.
  • Communicate reportable incidents and rule violations to the City of North Liberty so they can be documented.

The following items are strictly prohibited from Dog Park property:

  • Alcohol possession or use;
  • Cigarette or smokeless tobacco use;
  • Wheeled devices, except wheelchairs and strollers;
  • Large personal items on the ground, like duffle bags or chairs, which pose a tripping hazard;
  • Human food, except non-alcoholic beverages;
  • Dog food, except small training treats;
  • Glass containers;
  • Pronged, pinch, or choke collars; and
  • Electronic training devices.

Other Park Rules:

  • Dog Park hours of operation are dawn to dusk.
  • Yard must be vacated while maintenance tasks are being performed.
  • Users of the North Liberty Dog Park do so at their own risk.
  • Any City of North Liberty staff person has the right to ask users to leave park property.
  • Violations of Dog Park rules will be documented by the City of North Liberty.
  • If violations are deemed excessive by City Administrative staff, then pass will be revoked without refund.
  • Other City of North Liberty park rules and ordinances may apply.

Yard Rules:

  • Toys are allowed, taking into account the potential hazards to other dogs and your dog’s willingness to share. Must discontinue use of toy, if requested. Be extra careful with small or plush toys as they can be a choking hazard for some dogs; plush toys left behind will be disposed.
  • Training treats are allowed. Do not share without explicit permission from dog handler.
  • Do not leave food bowls. Even though it is done as an act of kindness, standing water collects mosquitos, so please take it with you.
  • Small Dog Yard is for small dogs only, 18 inches or less at the shoulder.

Safety & Stewardship

Parking Lot Access

The Red Fern Dog Park has one entrance and one parking lot. If the lot is full, please do not park on the grass; instead, come back a different day and try again! If you *do* accidentally pull into a neighbor’s drive, please back all the way out and do not drive on their grass. Thank you so much for understanding!

Incident Reporting

Call 911 in the event of a medical emergency or any incident involving blood or a bite.

Please report:

  • Any failure to heed park rules;
  • Dogs displaying signs of a communicable disease;
  • If your own dog gets sick and used the Red Fern Dog Park before symptoms appeared and within the contagious period;
  • Abandoned animals located on property; and
  • Other concerns about park visitors or pets.

Use this incident report form to submit online.

Parks staff will initiate investigation, when warranted. If assistance is needed, City Administrative personnel will handle decision making.

Etiquette is appreciated!

Let’s encourage D.O.G. F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

DISCIPLINE:

Displays of dominance, charging, and bullying are not welcome behaviors. Don’t allow them!

OBSTACLES:

Large objects are collision hazards to playing dogs… and will probably get peed on. Leave the lawn chair and the giant bag in the car.

GARBAGE:

Show your North Liberty pride by maintaining a clean park! Place trash in the appropriate receptacles.

FOCUS:

Give all the attention to your dog and your children, not your screen.

RECALL:

Make sure your dog is ready to obey when you call.

INTRODUCTIONS:

A polite hello is encouraged between all community members… for both human and canine friends.

EXERCISE BEFORE PARK:

Overstimulation can lead to problems! Get all the energy out of your dog’s brain and body before arriving.

NO FOOD & TREATS:

Allergies and dieting dogs are amongst us. Don’t share any edible items.

DISTANCE:

Recognize when your dog might need a time out… or leave if you sense trouble. Always better to be safe, than sorry!

STEREOTYPING:

Don’t blame the breed for bad behavior. Courtesy comes with successful training and discipline.

Helpful commands while at the park

SIT: Stay sitting until human says otherwise.

LIE DOWN: Lie down to calm down, focus on human, and wait for next command.

STAY: Do not move.

COME: Return to human without fail or delay.

DOG’S NAME: Attention off the distraction and to human.

FOCUS: Zone out everything else.

LEAVE IT: Ignore something that is tempting and/or potentially dangerous.

DROP IT: Drop something from mouth or stop a game that is turning aggressive.

WAIT: Stop midstride, pause for a moment, and focus attention on human.

HEEL: Walk next to human until told otherwise.

Also, teaching a dog not to eat something from strangers keeps the dog safe and prevents begging behavior.

Lost a pet? Click here for 10 Actions you can take NOW.

City of North Liberty Pet Licenses & Red Fern Dog Park Passes are administered and managed by staff at North Liberty City Hall (WE MOVED! 360 N Main St, North Liberty, IA 52317). Questions? Stop by in person or contact staff at [email protected] or (319) 626-5700. Office hours are 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Main – Pets & Animal Control
Pet Licensing & Dog Park Passes

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