Who manages the Marymoor Off-Leash Area?

The King County Parks Department oversees all of Marymoor Park.  For more information about the King County Parks Department, you can visit their website at http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/rentals/pomjun99.htm.  

Who maintains and stewards Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Park? 

All improvements and most of the maintenance of the Marymoor OLA are 100% volunteers and donations.  S.O.D.A. (Serve Our Dog Areas) is an amazing Non-profit organization run solely on donations and volunteers.  They have kept our OLA in existence, creating and maintaining trails and bridges, providing poop stations with bags for park goers to use, installing fencing, replanting grass and taking on projects to restore vegetation and protect the river, and have implemented and maintain the “portable outhouses” so that park users can continue to enjoy all the wonderful features of Marymoor’s OLA.  Aside from the emptying the trash cans, which is done by the King County Parks Department, all aspects of the Marymoor OLA are provided by S.O.D.A..  Please visit their website at www.S.O.D.A..org.  We encourage all OLA users to become members of S.O.D.A..  Without this organization the Marymoor OLA would cease to exist.

How did the MPDWA develop a relationship with S.O.D.A. and the King County Parks Dept? 

How is this relationship important?

By the request of S.O.D.A. in February 2000 the MPDWA was formed in order to have a working relationship with S.O.D.A. and KCPD.  Since its inception, the MPDWA has made a positive contribution toward making Marymoor Dog-Park a better place.  This has been accomplished through our working relationship with S.O.D.A. and KCPD by:

• Setting up guidelines, our Code of Conduct, for dog walkers to follow regarding usage of the park.  These rules deal directly with making our presence in the park as beneficial and “non-bothersome” as possible for other park users.

• Each member joining S.O.D.A. and so far making over $15,388 in donations

• Having each member pick up extra poop while they are walking dogs at the park.

• Organizing park clean-ups for the dog walkers to come together as a group each month resulting in 1,714 volunteer hours.

• Organizing and keeping the bulletin boards clean.

• Communicating with S.O.D.A. and KCPD resolving issues and promoting good-will regarding dog walkers.

• Creating a dog walking certification program

MPDWA, S.O.D.A., and KCPD believe that the services we provide are beneficial to the community of dog owners.  As long as we continue our good will we are supported by them.

How does a professional dog walker benefit from being a member of MPDWA? 

We have the recognition and acknowledgement of the King County Parks Department, who operate all of Marymoor Park, and S.O.D.A., the stewards who maintain the Marymoor Off-Leash Area.  We believe a working relationship with both of these organizations is vital for our individual businesses success.  We have developed this organization so we can continue to operate our businesses as individuals and yet come together as one to show S.O.D.A., the KCPD, and the public that we are responsible professionals and our presence benefits the Off-Leash Area, those who use it, and the community.

Do dog walkers have rules that they are required to follow?

The rules of the Marymoor Off-Leash Area are posted at the entrances.  These rules apply to all park goers including dog walkers.  The MPDWA has developed and chooses to abide by a Code of Conduct that we as responsible professionals feel is a positive way to show the public, S.O.D.A., and the KCPD that we do care about the Marymoor OLA, we are conscientious, and we choose to operate our businesses ethically and responsibly.  

If I have questions, suggestions, concerns, or comments about dog walkers who do I contact?

Please feel free to contact us through our website in the comment section on our home page, through email at moosepawdogwalkers@comcast.net, or by calling our hotline at 206-723-6091.  We appreciate the time people take to contact us to share their thoughts.  We are happy to answer any questions, address concerns, and listen to suggestions. 

How do I become a member of the Marymoor Professional Dog Walkers Association?

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join.  You can find our list of requirements at our Code of Conduct page and can contact us through our website in the comment section on our home page or email us at moosepawdogwalkers@comcast.net.  

If I am not a professional dog walker can I still participate?  Can I participate without becoming a member?

Absolutely!  We always welcome the public to join in on our monthly park clean-ups or to donate money through our organization to S.O.D.A..  Please see our schedule at upcoming events or you can always find us at the Marymoor OLA the second Saturday of the Month between 9:30 am -11:30 am.  Feel free to stop by, introduce yourself, say hello, or lend a hand.

How does a professional dog walker control a group of dogs? 

It is the discretion of each individual dog walker to know how many dogs they feel comfortable handling and which dogs are appropriate to bring to the OLA.  Dog walkers interview their new clients and screen each dog coming into their group.  Dogs who tend to wander off, who are not well socialized, who are bothersome to other park users, and who don’t obey the person bringing them are not good candidates for group walking. In general dog walkers have a trial period for the new comer to make sure they are compatible with the pack.   Most dogs prefer and feel more comfortable remaining with their “pack”.  Choosing dogs who are “pack” oriented and have matching personalities are key in having a suitable group of dogs to bring to the park. 

Are all the dog walkers at the park members of the MPDWA? 

S.O.D.A. & KCPD have requested that All Dog Walkers be part of the MPDWA in return for using the park as a business.  Plus, coming together as a group it makes it easier to communicate with all the dog walkers at once, they self-regulate each other and help one another out as a team when needed.

The MPDWA is a volunteer association, not all dog walkers choose to join, but all services who use the Marymoor Off-Leash Area are welcome and encouraged to become members of the MPDWA.  We are an organization of businesses who voluntarily choose to participate in the MPDWA.  It is important to show the public, S.O.D.A., and the KCPD that we do care about the park, we are responsible and professional businesses, and it is a great benefit to everyone especially ourselves to be a member.  For a list of participating Pet Services, please visit our   “Find a Dog Walker”page.

What should I look for when hiring a dog walker?

Having a selection of dog walkers to choose from gives you an assortment of personalities and philosophies. Most importantly, the person you want caring for your dog should be someone you are comfortable with and have confidence in.  It is wise to meet with them in person, ask for references, and discuss their experience and qualifications.

We would encourage you to choose a responsible dog walker that not only knows and understands how to properly care for your dog but one who also takes the extra time to give back to the park that means so much to all of us.  Members of the MPDWA are very dedicated to being professional, following a Code of Conduct and giving back to the park in order to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.

Why are there professional dog walkers at Marymoor Park? 

The services that the MPDWA members provide are beneficial to the community, to dog owners, and to dogs.  We encourage responsible dog ownership, provide exercise and socializing for dogs, and promote off-leash recreation.  We give back to the Marymoor OLA by regularly donating money to S.O.D.A., the stewards who maintain the Marymoor Off-Leash Area and volunteering hours of service to the Marymoor OLA.  For more information and up to date dollars and hours donated please visit our about us page.

How do we know if our professional dog walker is a member?   

That’s easy!  A list of all of our current members can be found on our “find a dog walker” page.