A “Pawsome” New Addition to Kent County: Wahlfield Dog Park

I was in awe watching nearly 200 dogs, all remarkably well-behaved, gather with their people to celebrate the grand opening of the new Wahlfield Dog Park!

We heard from Shelley Irwin, Kent County Parks Director Ben Swayze, Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Ben Greene and Fritz Wahlfield Jr. about how this incredible park came to be. Fritz Jr. also dropped a little Easter egg, sharing that another expansion may be coming in the future!

The new dog park is located on the north end of Wahlfield Park at 7117 M-37 in Comstock Park, about a half-mile north of the park’s original entrance. At 10 acres, it is the largest public dog park in Kent County and the first enclosed dog park within the Kent County Parks system.

I brought my kids and my dog niece, Hope, and my sister and her kids joined us, too. It was a wonderful family outing, even for those of us who do not currently have a dog of our own!

Pictured is Christina Anthony & myself at the event!

Christina Anthony and the Kent County team always do such a lovely job planning community events, and this was no exception. The first 150 dogs received giveaways that included a bandana and a Kent County Parks ball. There was also a photo station, dog treats, information from the Kent County Animal Shelter, and a K-9 demonstration from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.

The park itself is very impressive. It includes a dedicated one-acre area for small dogs, a two-acre open activity field, crushed-stone walking trails, and a one-acre swimming pond with a dog beach and jumping dock. There is plenty of room for dogs to run, swim, explore, and play.

One of my favorite features was the four-season family restroom and dog-wash station. The wash station appeared to require a small fee, but what a convenient option after your dog takes a swim or finds every muddy spot in the park! I would happily pay a few dollars to avoid bringing that mess home.

4th generation Wahlfield’s passing out cookies for humans :)

Wahlfield Park has a special history. Fritz and Marlene Wahlfield donated the original 50 acres in 1983. Their son, Fritz Wahlfield Jr., and grandson, Fritz Wahlfield III, have continued that family tradition of investing in our community. Wahlfield Construction contributed significant work and coordinated donations toward the project, while Fritz Jr. and his wife, Liz, also made a personal contribution.

The broader improvements were made possible through a combination of Kent County investment, funding from Kent County Community Action, private philanthropy, contractor donations, and support from community partners. It is another great example of what can happen through a strong public-private partnership.

Seeing this project come to life made me even more excited about the future James and Shirley Balk Family Park and Cannon Community Building in Cannon Township.

You’ve got to love a good public-private partnership and seeing approximately 200 happy dogs enjoying the result was pretty special!