Kennebunk Dog Park

Whenever anyone mentions the town Kennebunkport, you immediately think of former President George Bush. George Bush owned a vacation home before he served as vice president under Ronald Reagan. His vacation home hosted many foreign dignitaries, including Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher. His son, also former President Bush, has also hosted plenty of dignitaries. And Kennebunkport is a great place for them. It is a beautiful little vacation town, on the coast of Maine. When the incomes of its vacationers are considered, it's one of the wealthiest communities in the United States.

As you might imagine, there are a lot of people who are not wealthy who work in Kennebunkport. Many of these people live in the neighboring in-land community of Kennebunk. Kennebunk is not as famous, or as well-heeled, as Kennebunkport, but just as old, having been incorporated in 1621. It also has something it's more famous neighbor doesn't have; a very nice dog park.

Kennebunk Dog Park is on land owned by the city, but the park itself is not owned or maintained by the city. Instead, it's maintained and managed by a group of dedicated volunteers. They obviously love dogs, and that love comes through in the park. The Kennebunk Dog Park is nicely sized and separated into two separate spaces, with one reserved for small dogs, and dogs that aren't really up to vigorous play, such as older or disabled dogs. The dog park is covered with mulch.

Inside the sections of the dog park, there are plenty of benches and trees. In the main section, there are downed logs that have been stripped and sanded for dogs to climb on. There is also some agility equipment, giant tractor tires and a couple of wooden ramps and barriers. The agility equipment is also well-maintained, but visitors to the dog park must use it at their own risk.

Both sides of the park are well-stocked with poop bags and trash cans. There is no water fountain in the smaller half of the dog park, and the water fountain in the main section of the dog park is not available during the cold months. However, the park is well-stocked with toys, and in the summer, volunteers supply wading pools for the dogs to enjoy.