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Cruse Dog Park

Cruse Dog Park in Springfield, MO, offers a 1.5-acre area for small dogs and a 4.5-acre area for large dogs to exercise and socialize. Both areas are fenced. Registration is required for entry and the form can be found online. There is also a daily pass option for those just passing through town or who wish to ‘test’ the park before becoming a member. Visit Website

Or call (417) 864-1049 or email tom.mcfarland@springfieldmo.gov for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating

Cruse Dog Park has received a rating of 2.5 out of 5 bones by 40 canine critics on BringFido.

  • J
    May 1, 2023
    I still can't believe they charge for a dog park

    For those who say it is ok to pay for a dog park, please google Marymoor Dog Park in Bellevue, WA. It is a 40 acres off-leash dog park for FREE!

  • Cat
    May 23, 2021
    Could be worse I guess?

    The idea is nice, and I like knowing that (theoretically) all the dogs there are vaccinated. But this park stinks, literally. It’s built on an old landfill. Beware old glass that shows up after the rain. If you like a small, empty space than this is the place for you. A dog park should have trees, trails, water, places to get away from other dogs if needed. This park is just a giant mosh pit of bad things waiting to happen. Would not recommend.

  • Kaily
    Jun 28, 2020
    Meh

    I just purchased an annual membership to Cruse Dog Park (which is $35/year, not $25 like the above info states), and we have gone several times. I feel like the annual fee and proof of vaccinations are both reasonable, but this dog park is so underwhelming. There is literally only one shaded overhang with a back-to-back bench in each run - otherwise it's just lawn chairs under the sweltering sun. With the membership fees and tax payer money, I wish there was more to this park than cheap plastic chairs in a bare field. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Trees, benches, pavillions, or play equipment like regular parks would make a HUGE difference.

  • Jason
    May 26, 2020
    A dog park is a park...

    ...and should be covered by taxes. The whole notion of a fee to “keep the bad people out”, as posted by “anonymous” above, implies that if you cant or dont want to pay it you
    are bad. Class warfare much? It should be free, like a regular park. Covered by taxes. And with the effort that wasnt put in to the creation if this park, there should be several more. Its basically a big grass field with 6 acres fenced off in the middle of it, split 1.5/4.5. The end. Oh, and a concrete slab with a bench. But all that aside, its nice to have an offleash spot.

  • Adrian
    Jun 22, 2019
    Frustrated

    I don't mind the proof of vaccinations or the annual fee I get it I do. But I've only had my puppy a couple of weeks and haven't had the chance to take her yet. The people who I got her from told me she had her 8 week shots but never gave me proof of it so I have to take her to get them again. She's 10 or 11 weeks now and I have no place to take her until I get a day off of work. I'm just frustrated.

  • S
    Dec 17, 2018
    Adequate

    To prospective travellers in Springfield, you have to go to a Parks office to pay the fees, show proof of vaccinations, and get a pass. To visit Cruse dog park you have to turn towards the Walgreens parking lot off Grand and Kansas Expressway to see the park sign and enter. It's an extra inconvenient step but its the only gated off leash park in the area.
    For residents, I think the membership fees and registration is worth the peace of mind for upkeep, health, and safety. I'm also in an apartment and this park is necessary to release my puppys energy.
    The park itself is just bare land with some benches and seasonal water fountain. I would love to have more trees especially on the large dog side. If we were really fancy we could have some play ground/ agility equipment for the dogs on both sides

  • Tim
    Nov 9, 2018
    Verbal Abuse

    On my 2nd visit I had the horrible experience of seeing another dog mounting my male dog on 15-20 occasions. It’s owner didn’t do anything to stop the behavior, so I leashed my dog to leave and his dog came after my dog again! I stomped my foot backwards to stop the assault on my dog and the other guy got in my face and yelled at me for “flinching” at his dog. I pointed out that his dog was not following the rules and I was leaving as a result . I reported that to the park manager and he was kind and respectful about it but I am afraid to return and deal with that man again. My dog is a certified service dog and I cannot have other dogs doing that to him as he is trained not to be aggressive even in a situation where most dogs would be.

  • Mike
    More than a year ago
    Ridiculous

    Get real. Snobs.

  • Chico
    More than a year ago
    Of course you should pay!

    We pay $60 annually for our dog park at home and do need to provide proof of vaccination. All the people on this page saying this is the only pay park in the country are seriously out of touch.

  • Deborah
    More than a year ago
    Frustrated

    We came to town for an agility trial-

    10$ a dog is insane-- I would be okay paying 5$ for large dogs 2-3 for small. I don't mind that. But 10$ a dog? We brought 4 dogs with us! That we wanted to run and play with. Our dogs are extremely well taken care of and compete in agility all
    Over the country--- but we don't in fact keep a random copy of our dogs vaccinations and whatever from our vet when we thtought last minute that the dog park might be fun.

    I get not wanting unvaccinated dogs and needing some cash to help pay for upkeep but I'm really disappointed frankly :/

  • Penny
    More than a year ago
    Not paying

    Too many places you can take your baby and not have to pay. Absolutely ridiculous

  • Hosanna
    More than a year ago
    Love having a park!

    Cruse is a great place to help tire out your dogs! It's the only dog park in or near Springfield, so if you use it regularly, it's worth the $2/month. Plus, I like knowing the dogs there are vaccinated (unless someone cheated the system). :)

  • K.
    More than a year ago
    Mr

    The idea of paying for a dog park is ridiculous! I guess the next time we take our children to the park we should have to submit to a medical exam and a metal detector test to make sure no "low class" children are allowed. If that doesn't do it then we will impose a fee for public parks so that low class families can't afford it. socialists?

  • Mandy
    More than a year ago
    Not worth it if traveling

    I was very sad when I FINALLY found the park, walked up to it & realized it was a keyed entry. The ONLY park in Springfield, so I had nowhere to take my pup when we traveled to your city. Florida has a TON of dog parks & I have yet to see one where you need a membership/fee. I just find it really odd to have this type of regulation. We need to have tags on the dogs down here- so that should be sufficient for proof. I don't travel with her vaccination papers, & I'm not sure of many that would. Wish we had a place to go on our next work trip to Springfield. Too bad.

    At least it wasn't anything special, so I didn't feel too bad.

  • Anon amous
    More than a year ago
    Stop whining. It's for your own good.

    I'm going to speak frankly, so I'm not posting my name. I serve on the park board and when we opened Cruse Park, and as we were planning it, we looked at other dog parks around the country. Know what we saw? Nice people with well trained animals, and a certain element of people who really brought things down. You know what I mean.

    So our goal here was to let the right kind of people in while keeping the wrong kind of people, and their animals, out.

    So we imposed a fee, and required vaccination records. Are the fees necessary for upkeep? No. They barely cover the cost of installation and upkeep on the card system to keep nonpayers out. Basically we make you pay to pay for the system that makes sure you pay.

    Vaccination records? If my dog is vaccinated, is she in danger in the unlikely case a sick dog is at the park? Probably not, but the wrong kind of people aren't about to put in the work to trot to a vet to get their records for us, and then bring them in person to the board, or to Chesterfield.

    Long story short, this is for your own good, and makes sure you and your animals have the privilege of interacting with people and animals you might find more pleasant.

  • Mindy
    More than a year ago
    empty

    I don't necessarily love the price of the park but I understand with vaccinations. There shouldn't be a limit of dogs you can bring,though. Also, this park is extremely bare. Can we get some trees, a water source, anything?

  • Heather
    More than a year ago
    WHAT?

    As we travel often with our 4 dogs we depend on dog parks for our pit stops for our furkids. We were shocked to discover upon arrival that there was a $10 per dog charge plus deposit AND only two of our dogs were allowed in as they only allow 2 per owner.
    We travel a great deal and we have NEVER once had to pay for a dog park.

  • Angela
    More than a year ago
    Boo!!!!

    Traveling through and couldn't let my dog run around... Exclusive and not cool.

  • Ann
    More than a year ago
    Ms

    My dog loves going to the park. The $25 membership is well worth the enjoyment my dog gets playing at the park. The only problem I have encountered is that people with big dogs disregard the rules and bring their big dogs into the small dog side. Apparently they don't understand why the park separates big 80-100 pound dogs from the little 10-25 pound dogs.

  • Dorothy Girard
    More than a year ago
    Mrs

    I Springfield, Mo in Sept 2013 and cannot wait to take my 2 Italian Greyhounds to this park. We lived In Las Vegas for 2 years and they had a wonderful free park that the dogs just loved and they miss it so much and being in an apartment they can run and play in this park. I do not mind paying the fee if the park is kept up and is nice for the animals.

  • Angie
    More than a year ago
    Payment

    Why would anyone take their dog to a park that is not controlled? Have you ever seen the effects of distemper? Kennel Cough? $25 is nothing for the peace of mind that your dog is surrounded by other dogs whose owners have reasonably taken efforts to keep them healthy.

  • Rusty
    More than a year ago
    Worth it!

    Um, the key fobs alone probably cost $15! Springfield has a lot of parks, more than my hometown of Little Rock, AR. I am more than willing to pay $25 for a year's membership. You other people are nuts and probably don't keep your dogs vaccinated.

  • Lindsey
    More than a year ago
    This is great!

    I have no problem paying $25 per dog to have a well cared for park as well as vaccinated dogs to interact with my dogs, this does not require that you have a lot of money! It's only $25 for a year people! I spend that on lunch in three days max as well as the majority of most people. The only thing I would like is to have some trees planted. It gets really hot with no shade,

  • Susan
    More than a year ago
    Elitist Dog Country Club

    I haven't even been to park and I am boiling mad! I pay taxes to support the park sytem! The park should be free to residents of Springfield. All this is, is an elitist dog "country club" supported with tax dollars. DISGUSTING!

  • Jennifer
    More than a year ago
    Really??? A FEE???

    After newly becoming a new responcible dog owner I want only the best for my dogs. I am going to start training classes with them. Honestly I already have enough space in my house and on my land for my dogs to run, jump, and play. So for me to take my dog to a dog park is only for them to get more social skills. I feel that for a dog owner like me it is stupid to pay to just work on your dogs social behavior. I know that my dogs will be anywhere from 75 to 100 pounds and do not want to fear that later in life they might bite another animal or human being. This state makes it almost impossible for the responcible dog owner care for their dog in the ways that they seem fit unless they have alot of money. I will just start taking my dogs to a free park.

  • Melissa
    More than a year ago
    People

    Fee is fine with me. Vaccination requirements are a good thing too and the park is nice.

  • Heather
    More than a year ago
    Love this place!

    My dogs love visiting the park. I am very glad that they have a safe place to come and play off leash. I do not mind pay the $25 yearly membership fee, you always know that all the other dogs have had their required vaccinations. Just think, you wouldn't want to send your child to school without proper vaccinations! Great place for you and your fur-babies to socialize!

  • Jim
    More than a year ago
    Great Place!

    Interesting to note that most of the negative comments were made by people from outside Springfield. I don't mind paying $25 a year to help maintain the park. Would not use it if it were open to any and all. You have some control over who uses the park and makes it easier to identify aggressive dogs that shouldn't be there in the first place.

  • James
    More than a year ago
    Really???

    I was thinking of taking my two vaccinated dogs somewhere to play until I saw what a hassle it would be. I'm from Washington, where they have many wonderful, free dog parks. Do you guys also require medical records and annual fees for children playing on your playgrounds? Ridiculous!

  • Danielle
    More than a year ago
    Atmosphere

    The park is nice, the fee is ridiculous, the people there harass other dog owners, its ridiculous honestly. That other dog owners are so cruel to people and make them not want to come back. We have a medium sized dog right under the height requirement so technically she's supposed to be in the small dog area, but we put her in there one day because no one was in the large dog area and she wanted to play with other dogs. they called the park sheriff on us because they thought she was to big. The politics of this park are unnecessary.

  • Jodi
    More than a year ago
    fees???

    We have three dog parks. None of them charge a fee. This is crazy. You're trying to support your city by charging dog owners. You drive us to use other parks.

  • G
    More than a year ago
    High taxes, no services.

    Paying for the use of a park? That's incredible! You people of Missourie should revolt! You already have a slaes tax that is equal to New York City. Florida has free dog parks everywhere--they even provide poop bags!. Missouri is in the stone age. Demand better infra-stricture fo your tax dollars! Your're getting ripped off by the elected people you voted for. They're taking your money and giving you nothing.

  • Maggie
    More than a year ago
    vet records

    o by the way i have never had to pay for a dog park eather

  • BobDobbs
    More than a year ago
    Like the park, hate the price.

    Nice park! I also like the shot requirements, (safety is good) but charging for use of PUBLIC areas seems counterproductive to what is supposed to be a MUNICIPAL/PUBLIC park that we PAID for with our own tax dollars.

  • Sarah
    More than a year ago
    Great idea

    I like that the dog park charges because it allows me the comfort that all of the dogs have been vaccinated and will not spread diseases among other animals. I have been to several dog parks across the state and it is unpleasant when you see an animal with diarrhea and do not know if it is current on vaccinations. I think this kind of dog park is for responsible dog owners only!

  • Mary
    More than a year ago
    Payment required

    Plan to go for the first time this week. I can tell you that I have been to several dog parks in Illinois, and all were payment required save for one tiny one that was funded by the Park District.

  • Ashley
    More than a year ago
    Nice

    Very nice dog park, but there are few around here and its disappointing to have to pay so much just to take my dog to a park.

  • Adam
    More than a year ago
    All Good

    Good place, I think the people who complain about paying should just go somewhere with all the other cheap skates. Somebody has to pay for the upkeep.

  • Marie
    More than a year ago
    ms

    On vacations, stopped at dog parks. Never ran into one that charged.

  • Dennis
    More than a year ago
    Mr.

    The only place that charges I have been to other dog parks and they were free. Why do you charge don't my taxes help pay for this?????

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