Hondo Dog Park - Amenities

Amenities

The off-leash park is located off Northeast 229th Avenue near Hillsboro Stadium and the Sunset Highway. Hondo Dog Park sits on 3.75 acres (15,200 m2) and has three sections. A small fenced in section is for timid and smaller dogs, while the larger portion contains a general playing area and an area designed for all-weather use containing sand. The park opened on September 17, 2007, with a grand opening event held on September 29 for Hillsboro's first dog park.

One natural feature at the park is a small hill. Other features include drinking water stations designed for canine use, double-gated entrances, wheelchair accessible gravel paths, and park benches. Many features have dog themes painted on them.

The park also features two former fire hydrants donated by Clean Water Services and painted by a local dog association. One hydrant is decorated with cartoon dog characters, while the other is painted with an American flag and known as the "Hondo Memorial Hydrant". The hydrant with the American flag is a memorial to the namesake of the park and is situated atop an 18-inch (460 mm) base. Within a week of opening officials removed the hydrant painted as an American flag over concerns of disrespect for the flag if dogs used the hydrant, but it was later returned and fenced off to prevent such incidents. The controversy over the flag painted hydrant received international news.