Hondo Dog Park

Infobox park
park= Hondo Dog Park


image size=240px
caption=Entrance to the park.
type=Public, city
location=Hillsboro, Oregon,
United States
coordinates= coord|45|33|10|N|122|54|36|W|type:landmark_region:US|display=title,inline
size= 3.75 acres
opened= 2007
operator=Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department
annual visitors=
status=Day use only

Hondo Dog Park is a city park in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Opened in 2007, it is the first dog park in that city. Located on nearly four acres, the park is in the northeast section of Hillsboro adjacent to Hillsboro Stadium. Hondo Dog Park is named after a Hillsboro Police Department K-9 unit dog that was shot and killed in the line of duty. The park includes a fire hydrant painted like an American flag as a memorial to the police dog, which received some controversy when the park opened.

Amenities

The off-leash park is located off Northeast 229th Avenue near Hillsboro Stadium and the Sunset Highway.Gordainer, Susan. A Caesar-eye view of Hondo Dog Park Hillsboro's newest park earns five paws from enthusiastic user. "The Hillsboro Argus", September 21 2007.] Hondo Dog Park sits on 3.75 acres and has three sections.Diehl, Angella Foret. New bark park has room to run. "The Oregonian", September 14 2007.] A small fenced in section is for timid and smaller dogs, while the larger portion contains a general playing area and an area designed for all-weather use containing sand. The park opened on September 17 2007, with a grand opening event held on September 29 for Hillsboro's first dog park. [Suh, Elizabeth. Off the leash and running. "The Oregonian", September 23 2007.]

One natural feature at the park is a small hill. Other features include drinking water stations designed for canine use, double-gated entrances, wheelchair accessible gravel paths, and park benches. Many features have dog themes painted on them. The park also features two former fire hydrants donated by Clean Water Services and painted by a local dog association. One hydrant is decorated with cartoon dog characters, while the other is painted with an American flag and named as the Hondo Memorial Hydrant. The hydrant with the American flag is a memorial to the namesake of the park and is situated atop an convert|18|in|mm|sing=on base. Within a week of opening officials removed the hydrant painted as an American flag over concerns of disrespect for the flag if dogs used the hydrantSuh, Elizabeth. Flag saved from dishonor by dogs. "The Oregonian", September 26 2007.] , but it was later returned and fenced off to prevent such incidents. [Gordanier, Susan. [http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1191349365173550.xml&coll=6 Hondo Park packed for grand opening.] "The Hillsboro Argus", October 02 2007.] The controversy over the flag painted hydrant received international news. [ [http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/070928/K092811AU.html Flag-painted hydrant to be reinstalled at Oregon dog park, with a fence.] "The Canadian Press", September 28 2007.] [ [http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10046696.html Oregon town finds dogs and U.S. flag-painted hydrants don't mix.] KOMO-TV, accessed October 3 2007.] [ [http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3665433 Flag Hydrant Headed Back to Dog Park.] ABC News, accessed October 3 2007.]

Namesake

Hondo, a German Shepherd Dog, was a canine member of the Hillsboro Police Department.Danks, Holly. Hondo: Several police, dog, recognized for valor. "The Oregonian", March 6 1997.] A three-year-old, Hondo won a Silver Medal of Valor from county law enforcement in early March 1997 for taking down a man armed with a knife. He spent two years with the department and helped to catch 32 suspects in total.Denson, Bryan. It’s an absolute zoo out there. "The Oregonian", January 1 1998.] Hondo was killed on March 12 1997, during a police shootout. A memorial service drew police dogs and officers from around the state of Oregon. Hondo's ashes were spread over the city. The park’s entrance includes a plaque dedicated to Hondo.

ee also

*Shute Park
*Noble Woods Park

References