The Southfield Parks & Recreation Department is excited to announce the grand opening of the City’s first Dog Park with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the opening of The Dog Park at Lahser Woods, 27577 Lahser Road on October 17 at 2 p.m.

The ceremony will feature remarks from Mayor Kenson Siver, City Administrator Fred Zorn, and Parks & Recreation Director Terry Fields. Light refreshments will be served. Swag for their canine pals will be available during the event. The event is free and open to the public.

The Dog Park at Lahser Woods

Lahser Woods Park is a 15.79-acre park that reflects the diverse character of Southfield. The dog park is comprised of 1.5 acres for large dogs and 1.3 acres for small dogs (25 pounds and under) that were transformed from open space. To the south, the park borders Park House Senior Living, a pet-friendly senior apartment community. To the north are Stevenson Elementary School and Young Israel synagogue. A connecting pathway links the park to a nearby residential neighborhood.

Over the past decade, Southfield residents have expressed growing interest in outdoor recreational opportunities. The 2021 Parks & Recreation Master Plan identified a dog park as a top community request. In response, the Parks & Recreation Department applied for and received a $100,000 Community Park & Trail Capital Grant from Oakland County. The funding not only made it possible to establish the City’s first dog park, but also supported additional improvements including:

• A solar-lit walking path connecting the park to the neighborhood, school, and synagogue;
• Electric Vehicle charging stations to be added in the near future;
• Expansion and renovation of the gravel parking lot; and
• Addition of security cameras at the park for visitor safety.

Dog Park Membership Information

Access to the Dog Park at Lahser Woods is membership-based. Membership applications can be completed online. Before starting the online application, dogs must have a valid City of Southfield dog license. Licensing information is available through the Southfield Police Department and can be found on the Dog Park at Lahser Woods website.

Once licensed, residents can complete their membership in just a few minutes at:
www.cityofsouthfield.com/departments/parks-recreation/dog-park-lahser-woods

To apply for membership, presidents must fill out the Membership Form & Waiver, and upload proof of City of Southfield dog license along with documentation showing the dog is current on Rabies, Bordetella, and DHLPP/DAPPL vaccinations. Applicants must then watch a safety video and pass the safety quiz. The dog park has an annual membership fee of $45 for the first dog and $10 for each additional dog. Please note that there is a maximum of 3 dogs per household. Once the membership application is completed and paid for, members can pick up their entry fob and dog tag from the Parks & Recreation Office located at 26000 Evergreen Road.

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 248-796-4620 or visit www.cityofsouthfield.com