Fishers asked for a dog park. Fishers got one. And Fishers bought every single membership before the gates even opened.
The new off-leash dog park at the Fishers Community Center opened to members at 5 a.m. today, October 19, LarryInFishers reports. The first round of memberships is already gone, so if you're just hearing about it now, your best move is getting on the waitlist.
It's been a long time coming. According to the city, a community dog park was one of the top requests from residents in a 2021 citywide survey, and it showed up again among the most wanted amenities when the Community Center was being planned. The park opens just ahead of the center's first anniversary on November 1.
What's at the park
The park sits at the Fishers Community Center, 11400 Johnson Farm Way, and covers nearly two acres. Here's what you'll find, per the official dog park page:
- A separate section for small dogs under 35 pounds
- Water stations for dogs and their people
- Shaded areas and some seating
- A 5-foot fence around the whole space
- Periodic staff check-ins
One heads-up: there are no restrooms at the park, and dogs aren't allowed inside the Community Center.
Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday through Sunday | 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed early mornings for maintenance) |
The park is open year-round, rain or shine. The Wednesday maintenance window can shift to another day if the weather's bad.
Grand opening: The official celebration is Tuesday, October 27 at 1 p.m., with remarks from Mayor Scott Fadness and a ribbon cutting. The Humane Society for Hamilton County will be there, and Speck's Pet Supplies is handing out gift bags.
Memberships, the waitlist and what it takes to get in
Access is members only, and the park is capped at 300 dogs. Memberships cost $72 for six months and go on sale twice a year. They're separate from regular Community Center memberships, so a gym or pool pass won't get your pup through the gate.
The first batch is sold out, but you can join the waitlist now. The city hasn't announced when the next sign-up window opens.
When your turn comes, here's what you'll need:
- Vaccination records for rabies, Bordetella, parvo and distemper, uploaded with your application
- A DNA test for each dog, $60 per dog. The city uses it to track down waste left behind, and anyone caught gets a $135 fine.
- No more than three dogs per family
- Humans 13 and older only, with anyone 13 to 17 accompanied by a parent or guardian
One more bit of fine print, via Hoodline: memberships can't be paused, and canceling early won't get you a refund for the unused months.
Stuck on the waitlist? Your dog still has options
While you wait for a spot, there are plenty of places around town that welcome four-legged guests. Check out our roundup of pet-friendly spots, or go bigger with the best pet-friendly places in Indiana. A leashed walk through the Nickel Plate District works too.
Questions about the park go to FCC-DogPark@fishersin.gov.
Want to know the moment the next round of memberships opens? Subscribe to the Get Fishers newsletter and we'll let you know.
Sources: LarryInFishers · Hoodline · Fishers Community Center dog park page
