Valley Stream Dog Park

This is such a great park, although you do get some bad dogs once in a while! Dexter and I are here twice a day, everyday! Know your breed and other breeds and you’ll be fine. We hate when people bring kids into the park so please be courteous and remember they have to be 16 and up. KEEP IN MIND: Don’t bring your small dog into the big dog run if you’re dog can’t handle it! (Less than 30lbs you’re in the small park)

I have used valley stream dog park for at least 2 years since my 3 year old mountain cur Mollly needs to be exercised regularly. This is a great dog park with plenty of room for both large and small dogs (that have there own smaller area).The park itself is large and is covered by Astroturf. There are benches for the people to sit at and dispensers for doggy bags for waste as well as a hose for water (weather permitting) and a water fountain for the dogs. The dogs are as a rule rather well behaved as they run around play and enjoy the park. The dog owners are very friendly and usually chat at the benches especially about there dogs. The management of the park is friendly and informative and the park sponsors special events for the dogs as fundraisers such as «howlaween».I believe my dog loves this park as she gets very excited as we approach. It is a distance away from where we live but the trip is worth it. As I always say this place would be doggy heaven if steak was available. This park is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Great Dog Park. Offers water during the warmer seasons and even has a kiddie pool in the summer. Doggie bags, 2 sides for large and small dogs. For the most part the dogs get along great and have plenty of room to roam.
What people tend to forget is this is FOR THE DOGS. If you bring food/​treats they will approach you. If you’re in the park they will approach you. It’s their park. If you bring a toy its going to be played with by everyone.
Just get out of the way and let the dogs play. There are picnic tables and benches for the humans.
My one con: not open to the public, for valley stream residents only.

Came twice in the summer of 2015, and these were my observations:
Pros: Dog Bags and Turf field.
Cons:
— Too small for dogs to truly enjoy.
The sign clearly states that the the large dog side is for 30 lbs and over, but small and large dogs are mixed in which causes clutter.
— Owner’s don’t watch their dogs.
Which leads to poop not being cleaned up, so no one uses the hose to wash down the turf after the dogs do their business. My fiancé got bit by a small dog when trying to seperate our dog from constantly being humped. The dog owner was nowhere to be found? We were warned by dog owners that a certain dog loved to steal phones, wallets, bags, and even leashes. They thought it was funny. More evidence that dogs don’t listen to their owners.
— No balls or toys– (But no sign ?)
A certain dog owner was upset that we had bought in a ball (Large Chuck-​It ball) to play with our dog. He stated that dogs will fight. Obviously, another sign that dog owners don’t have control over their dog.
— Water fountain has extremely low pressure, so no one uses it.
Dog owners bring in their own bowls and fill it up with water from the hose.
— Children under the age of 12 tend to come to this dog park.
The first visit I saw four children running around, one girl was knocked down and ended up with a cut on her knee. There was first aid kit but nothing was inside, it was raided earlier this summer and never replenished. Second visit, another child was knocked down from the dogs trying to run around.
I really wanted this dog park to work out, since I live less than 15 minutes away. But definitely not worth the money to pay to go to this dog park. I want to give my dog happy memories. There are better options out there people!

My dog loves going to this dog park! Lots of seating and shade for the humans and the new turf has been great for the pups!

great park, great turf…

One of the better dog runs on Long Island’s south shore.
Things it has going for it:
— Plenty of parking (20 or so feet from run)
— Has water fountains for dogs, but you have to bring water during late fall, winter and early spring since town shuts water off
— Plenty of room for dogs
— Seating for dog owners
— Plenty of shade
— Poop bags provided
— Canopy
— Obstacle Course Ramp, fire hydrant, etc.
— Has both a separate large & small dog area
— Uses artificial turf as ground cover
Things it has against it:
— Could be a little bigger
— Could not find bathrooms near run for humans
— Access only available to Valley Stream residents and they have to pay an annual fee… probably why it is underused
I have been to this park a few times. The times I have gone the group of owners and dog were friendly. Owners were attentive to what their dogs were doing and for the most part the run was free of piles of poop. I have friends that live in Valley Stream and they tell me they would never pay a fee to use a run that they feel their taxes paid for. There is talk of a key fob system for access in the run’s future (until then a security guard). There was also a little fiasco with the development of this park. When it first opened they used golf ball size rocks as ground cover. Dogs were leaving with bloody paws. Residents complained and the town was able to secure some special artificial turf specifically made for dog runs. This run is unique, as it is the only run in the NYC area that I know of that is using this product. From what I have seen more runs need to upgrade their ground cover to this material. One of the better dog runs on Long Island, it would score higher if there were no fee for its use.
Dog runs/​parks I have been to so far:

I took my dog Odin to the park soon after the grand opening.
Pros: The park is off leash and open from sun up to sun down 7 days a week. The area is fairly large (8400 sq ft. for large dogs and 2900 sq ft for small dogs) and as previously mentioned there are separate areas for large and small dogs. The entrance to the park was designed for the dogs to be let loose in a holding area prior to the entrance/​exiting of the actual doggie park. So no worries of any of the dogs getting out of the park and having to be chased down by their owners. The doggie water fountain is delightful. It has a faucet to refill the built in water bowl that slowly drains so that there is never any standing water ensuring the dogs always drink fresh water but… I don’t suggest any humans help themselves to that water (I know you wouldn’t think anyone would ever need to say that but :-/​but yeah, ya really do!). As also previously mentioned there is a supply of doggie waste bags and a «dogipot» waste disposal receptacles for easy clean up (thanks to the «Friends of Valley Stream Dog Park» — you got us!). There is a fixed wooden boarder around the inside of the fence to prevent any injuries to our pets paws from the fencing. A working water hose that is in place for the doggie park maintenance crew to wash down the park. I am told that the equipment and the rocks are sprayed with a pet safe cleaning agent and thoroughly rinsed weekly (but don’t hold me to that — I haven’t actually seen them clean it). The park does not restrict the use of the water hose so you can use the hose to play with the dogs or cool them off on a hot day. I used it for that and to hose down another dog owner. What, you seemed shocked? Come on, it’s the summer — live a little! Oh, I have an appearance ticket on that offense — nahhh just kidding. There is plenty of human seating on the benches and picnic tables. There is a dog ramp and a few athletic additives available for dog play/​training. The dog park is frequently monitored by the town auxiliary and park police. They do verify to make sure your pooch is registered and authorized to be in the park, which I appreciated for our safety and since we paid for the registration.
Con: the only con I can think of is the rocks, the rocks and oh did I say the rocks? The times that I have been there my Odin (and I’ve witnessed a majority of other dogs) are uncomfortable with the rocks. Odin is limited with running and horse play because of the rocks and I’ve been told by other owners that their dog has received cuts on their paws from them. Not my Odin, but then if Odin did cut his paws, they would not be happy with my visit to their offices. Anyway… After a few minutes of the dogs running around they look for and find ways to get off of the rocks, which is when you will see them on the tables, the benches, the ramp and even the wooden boarder surrounding the park. Most dog owners understand this and I have not ever witnessed or heard of anyone complaining about the fact that the human seating areas have been taken over by the dogs. After all, its a dog park so its their domain — we deal with it.
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST — UPDATE ON THE ROCKS: You will be happy to know this morning I spoke to an «official» of the Village of Valley Stream regarding the dog park, and the board has just approved this past Tuesday a budget of $ 20,000 to be used for the dog park! The town has contracted with the company called Landtek and if I have my information correct Landtek will be installing the «field turf» within the next month so the pouch paw problems with the rocks will soon be a distant memory! The new «field turf» will offer the same drainage or better then what the rocks offer, but will have some gel stuff which provides some springing to the turf. It will be installed underneath the turf for padding and comfort as well as smaller pebbles and other stuff to make it all cushiony and comfortable as well as functional for the dogs as well and the cleanliness and maintenance of the park.
Also regarding Park Access… For residents who were involved with the beginning discussions of building the dog park (or may have heard about it) the «scoop» was that the village planned to issue an electronic wand (or type of electronic key) to unlock the gate of the dog park. Anyone who was registered was to get a magic wand to open the gate. The funds were not in the budget at that time to proceed with that plan, however… I was told by the official I spoke to this morning, that this has not been forgotten about and is still in the plans. Hopefully by next year that will be our way in!

The park would be great if not for 2 things:
1. Dog Park Membership Fee– you need to register your dog to use the park. This is so stupid. If I go to queens, there are so many parks that allow dogs. The regular local parks (Hendrickson park & Greis Park) don’t allow dogs at all. Believe me, I tried. I really wish Village Hall would give back to its residents by allowing it to be free to its residents, it would be fine if they charge a fee to nonresidents but what other park can these dogs go to?
2. The park is filled with rocks. I went there a few times before I was stopped by a man who basically kicked my mom and dog out for not knowing it belonged to members only. The rocks are really hard on their feet and hard on yours when your trying to walk your dog to the water fountain.
Other than that, the elaborate design is gorgeous. It’d be great again, if Village Hall would throw us a bone and give something back.

This is a great park. The dog park is split into a large run for bigger dogs and a small run. There is a water fountain for dogs on both side, as well as little bags and trash receptacles for waste. There are several benches and tables for dog owners to sit. Its a great playground for the dogs.
There is a small fee paid to the Village of Valley Stream to register your dogs to use the park. In addition, you dog must be registered with the Town of Hempstead and the dog must be up to date on all shots.
My only issue is that the park is covered with rocks. I think it would have made more sense to leave the grass that was there or even just the dirt or sand.
I have a small dog and he is not able to run over the jagged edges of the rocks, which also happen to be bigger than his little paws. The large dogs do not seem to mind it, but having rocks sort of seems to defeat the purpose of it being a run.