Hines Dog Park (at Hawthorne Ridge Park)

The Hines Dog Park is a designated area in the Hawthorne Ridge Park in Westland, Michigan, where pups are permitted to be exercised off-leash. Before using the facility, pet owners are required to register their dogs at the offices of the Wayne County Parks Division, produce the required vaccination and license certificates and pay an annual fee of $20. 

Non-residents are welcome to use this off-leash dog park in Westland, but must also pre-register and pay a slightly higher fee of $25. All pet owners are limited to registering a maximum of two dogs. Once the registration has been accepted, the dog owner is issued with a membership card which they must carry on their person when using the facility. 

The Hines Dog Park at Hawthorn Ridge Park undergoes sporadic checks by the local sheriffs, and if owners are unable to produce their membership card, they are liable to be fined. This Hines Dog Park is very spacious, and as it covers three acres of ground so there is more than enough room for even the liveliest pup to burn off all their pent-up energy.

Large and small dogs have their separate areas, so it's also safer for mini mutts as they won't get trampled by the rough and tumble of the bigger breeds. To be eligible to use the small dog section, a dog needs to weigh less than twenty pounds. Both areas of the dog park are surfaced with grass and have some great agility equipment. The park is very popular and does get busy during peak exercising hours. 

Owners need to keep a watchful eye on their pets at all times, so they can react quickly if any inter-canine disturbances occur. All owners also need to keep a watch on their dog to spot that crucial pooping moment and then follow up with the requisite scooping. This is a clean and well-maintained dog park and everybody abiding by the rules will make sure it stays that way.