Spring cleaning usually means tidying up homes or cars, but a new feature at Sunrise Bark Park is giving residents a chance to clean up something else — their pets.
The Sunrise Bark Park, an off-leash dog park in Maryville, provides separate spaces for large and small dogs and includes the city’s first on-site dog washing station.
Maryville Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Rockwood said the park has been a priority for the community and was included in the department’s 2022 master plan.
“An off-leash dog area was a high priority for our city and surrounding area,” Rockwood said. “It’s something we’ve worked to complete within the timeframe of our 10-year master plan.”
The city partnered with an engineering firm to design the park, with construction beginning in 2024. The fencing was completed last fall, and the park was originally scheduled to open in fall 2025, but weather delays pushed back the opening.
Marketing and Events Supervisor Elizabeth Lyle said the community has been especially excited about the dog washing station and its added features.
“I think a lot of people are excited about the dog wash station,” Lyle said. “The flea and tick feature will be really handy during those heavy tick seasons. We hope everyone comes out and enjoys it, especially on nice days.”
The park is located across from the New Nodaway Humane Society, though shelter dogs will not be able to use the facility due to liability concerns.
Rockwood said the park still offers a benefit to adopters, providing a nearby space where newly adopted dogs can exercise off-leash.
“If someone adopts a dog and doesn’t have a fenced yard, they now have a place they can bring their dog,” Rockwood said. “It’s something we can point to and say, ‘We do have a dog park here in town.’”
Sunrise Bark Park is now open to the public.