Here is a list of answers to common questions about the Home Run Dog Park...
What are the hours of the park? The dog park is open year round daily from 7:00am to sunset. Being present inside the enclosure outside of these hours is prohibited.
Is the park ever closed? The dog park is open year round, including holidays. The park is only closed during pre-secheduled maintenance days when repairs or upgrades are being done in the park. These are typically only 1/2 days depending on the work being preformed, and occur only a few times per year. Maintenance days are posted on our calendar. Note: In 2020 the dog park was closed for 2 months by the City during the statewide shutdown for COVID-19. These types of closures are uncommon.
Is there a cost to use the park? The dog park is free to use, but all dogs are required to have a dog license through the City or County that the owner resides in.
What are the rules? The full set of rules for using the Home Run Dog Park are posted on this website, here. They are also posted inside each gated entrance to the park. Some of the rules have additional signage posted throughout the dog park.
Why do I need a dog license? Dog licenses as a standard require the owner to have their dog receive a rabies vaccination. This is true with the Battle Creek City and Calhoun County dog licenses, and it a common standard for other municipalities that issue dog licenses. It is a safety requirement in place to remove the risk of dogs and people being exposed to rabies.
Where do I get a dog license if I live in the City of Battle Creek? You can get your license online by going to following link: Battlecreek.docupet.com. You can also call DocuPet at: 1-877-239-6072 or apply in person at: Battle Creek City Hall located at 10 N Division Street, Battle Creek.
Where do I get a dog license if I live in Pennfield or Emmett Township, Springfield or somewhere else in Calhoun County? You can get your license by going to the following link: MIDogLicense.Org/CalhounCounty. You can also apply in person at the Main Office in the County Building at: 315 W Green St, Marshall or at the Battle Creek Justice Center at 161 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek.
What enforcement will there be on dog licenses? The City of Battle Creek Police Department Animal Control Division will be conducting periodic spot checks at the dog park.
Which dog breeds are banned from the park? No breeds are banned. The only dogs not permitted are ones that are ill, in 
heat or have a previous aggressive history and are classified as potentially dangerous pursuant to City ordinance 608.29.
How old do children need to be to enter the dog park enclosure? Children under the age of 10 years old are not permitted inside the dog park enclosure. Children between the age of 10 and 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Why is there an age limit on children? The park was designed with the purpose of providing dogs a safe place to play and exercise. Not every dog coming to the dog park will be socialized to children, and not all dogs will react favorably to a child approaching them. When dogs play, they can run in a pack and could run over and injure a small child in their enthusiasm. Additionally, not all children understand that there are boundaries with animals, especially when approaching ones unfamiliar to them. This can be a dangerous combination, and can place children at risk of frightening or a dog and getting bitten. Facts: The average weight of a 9 years old child is 61.7 pounds according to a national study in 2017. Large dog breeds can weigh up to 180 lbs plus. (The world record was an English Mastiff weighed in at 343 lbs.!) According to a National Study by the Center for Disease Control 55.6 percent of dog bite fatalities occur in children under the age of 10 years old. (Click here for more information and statistics)
Is there an age limit on dogs using the park? Yes, dogs under the age of 4 months old are prohibited inside the dog park. It is further recommended that you refrain from bringing your puppy until they are at least three weeks past their Parvo shots, as they are at higher risk when they are young. Consult with your veterinarian.
Why is food not permitted inside the enclosure? The dog park rules prohibit food inside the enclosure for several reasons. There are many foods that are toxic to dogs (I.e. onions, avocadoes, apple seeds, coffee, etc.). Many of these foods are common in fast food restaurants. Discarded food in trash cans can encourage dogs to rummage through them, and spread them around. Food trash can also attract other wild animals to the park. Skunks, raccoons, foxes and feral cats and other wildlife can also carry rabies and other diseases that can infect dogs, and increase the presence of fleas and ticks in the park. Bringing in dog food can result in some dogs eating food that is not permitted in their diets per veterinarian advice, causing illness. The presence of dogs eating can trigger food aggression in others and result in fighting between dogs. Additionally, when people bring dog food to a public space, dogs will leave food scattered on the ground.
Why must I pick up after my dog? Dog feces can spread diseases 
to both humans and dogs. Humans being exposed to dog feces can be at risk for Salmonella (bacteria), Giardia lamblia (parasite) and many forms of viruses. Canine Parvovirus (“Parvo”) is very contagious to dogs, and can be spread to other dogs by them merely sniffing contaminated stool. Dogs can also get intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms which lay eggs that are passed in a dog’s stool, and can infect other dogs when they eat contaminated soil or stool, or drink water contaminated with stool from other dogs. Dog owners being diligent about picking up after their dogs at the park helps to reduce the risk of spreading diseases to both people and dogs. For more information on this subject, see our blog post The Scoop with Poop.
Where do I dispose of dog waste bags? There are green recepticles labeled for dog waste only in the small dog area, and at the East and West entrances. In mid September 2019, there will be two additional ones installed near the center of the park.
Are dog waste bags provided? Yes, there are waste bags at each waste station in the dog park. However, these bags should be only used as a stop-gap for when you run out, as the recepticles are filled by a private company on Fridays only, and volunteers throughout the week as needed. The bags are paid for by charitable donations. Visitors to the park are encouraged to bring their own waste bags with them in case they come at a time when the recepticles are empty between refills. To donate to the dog park, click here.
Is there a separate area for small dogs? Yes, on the East end of the park there is a separate fenced in section for dogs under 25 lbs. There is no size restriction of dogs in the large dog area, but it may be dangerous for small dogs to interact with larger dogs in this area. Dog owners are strongly encouraged to keep their small dogs in the small dog enclosure only. Use of the dog park is at your own risk.
What could cause someone to get ejected or banned from the dog park? Failure to follow City Park and Dog Park rules may result in ejection and/or being banned and/or be subject to prosecution under Battle Creek City Ordinances, including but not limited to 1060.05(b)(5). Owners of dogs must leave the Dog Park upon direction by a City Police Officer, an Animal Control Officer, or by a City Parks and Recreation Department employee for violation of these Rules and future use may be prohibited.
If my dog is in heat, can I bring her to the dog park with diapers? No. Dogs in heat are prohibited.
Who is liable for injuries or damages in the dog park? “The Owner” is defined under the Home Run Dog Park rules as any individual 16 or older who brings a dog to the Dog Park or has a dog in their care. The Owner assumes any and all liability for any injury or damage to any person, animal or property, caused by their dog(s) or themselves. Use of the Home Run Dog Park is at your own risk.
Who built the Home Run Dog Park? The Home Run Dog Park was built under the direction of the volunteers with the organization called the Friends of Calhoun County Dog Parks over an 18 month project from March 2018 through the grand opening in August 2019. The project was developed in cooperation with the City of Battle Creek and the Parks and Recreation Department. It was funded by community donations and a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
When was the Home Run Dog Park opened? The Home Run Dog Park was opened on August 23rd, 2019.
Where can I donate to the Home Run Dog Park? The Home Run Dog Park has a Community Project Fund at the Battle Creek Community Foundation. Click here, to donate.
How can I volunteer? Anyone can volunteer for scheduled volunteer days and events. If you would like to become a Home Run Dog Park Ambassador, click here to learn about the program.
