Riverton currently has no designated off leash dog parks in the city. One resident hopes to change that. 

Bryce Isaacson moved to Riverton in 2022. An ankle surgery and directions from his doctor meant he was told to not walk his dog who might pull on the leash. Isaacson found the best way to exercise his half-husky dog was throwing the ball. 

“I discovered Margaret Park which was an answer to prayers,” he told the Riverton City Council in November. 

Isaacson requested Margaret Park be designated a dog park for a few hours a day. 

The park is 5.1 acres located near the northeast edge of the city, within a neighborhood and its nearest primary road is 1300 West. Isaacson described it as a good park and practically fully fenced with a large rocky slope with not much use to humans. He added it’s in close proximity to the Jordan River Parkway too. 

A neighboring house to the park recently reported Isaacson, who was there throwing a ball for his dog he said, instigating his request. 

“Riverton is growing,” he said. “It should have an off leash area with 33 parks in the city.” 

Council and staff discussed the possibility in a December work meeting, ultimately deciding it required a larger discussion in their upcoming strategic meeting as part of a bigger picture view on park amenities. 

City Attorney Ryan Carter told the council the city staff’s preference would be fence off some area of the park to maintain separation between dog owners and those using the park for other purposes. Only if the council wanted to pursue the Margaret Park option. Carter recommended several other steps before getting to that option, first and foremost getting further insight from others in the neighborhood besides Isaacson’s
single request.

Years ago, plans were drawn up for a dog park at a detention pond off 3600 West, but the council at the time chose to prioritize other amenities when the price was deemed higher than expected. The detention pond could include more amenities like culinary water and a bathroom but would be more expensive compared to simple fencing at Margaret Park, Carter said.

While Mayor Trent Staggs said this was the first he’d heard of a formal request in 11 years on the council, Councilmembers Andy Pierucci and Tawnee McCay said they’ve heard from residents that would like a
dog park. 

Riverton’s Parks and Rec advisory committee toured the city in 2020, Sheryl Garn said, looking at options for a dog park and preferred the detention pond,
with amenities. 

“They are definitely in favor of (a dog park),” she said. 

Pierucci felt there was value in exploring dog park options, noting how communities have changed with more homes being built with smaller or no yards. A dog park would be an amenity that complements “a wider variety of people’s lifestyle choices.” 

Any future discussion, he later added, should include a road map. Noting it might not be feasible to do one right now with all the extra options, but could “put up a fence with certain hours and eventually get up to that point.” 

McCay said it would be an amenity residents are interested in, highlighting the surrounding cities that all have dog parks in South Jordan, Sandy, West Jordan
and Draper. 

“Especially if it’s a minimal cost I think it would be a good amenity to look at,”
she said. 

City Manager Kevin Hicks highlighted the bigger picture both in what all the community would want involved with a dog park and the expenses involved. 

“What level of standard do we want to establish for this dog park if we want to do it,” he said. 

Councilmembers Troy McDougal and Spencer Haymond both preferred to talk further at the strategic planning meeting, but did note it might be better located in an area with higher density for residents with less or no yard space. 

For Isaacson, he said he loves living in Riverton and wanted to help make it happen. 

“It would really be a benefit to me and hopefully other citizens with these kinds of mobility issues.” λ