ABQ Times

The community gathered to celebrate the opening of Vista Del Norte Dog Park, marking it as Albuquerque's 26th off-leash dog park. Previously, the nearest dog parks were at least four miles away, addressing a significant need for pet-friendly spaces in the city.

“Today we’re making it even easier for families to get outside and enjoy some quality time with their pets,” stated Mayor Tim Keller. “Albuquerque remains a committed pet-friendly city constantly elevating quality of life for our residents and their furry friends.”

This new park is unique as it reuses downed Cottonwood logs for tree protection and seating. The 0.75-acre area is divided into sections for small and large dogs, equipped with shade and water stations to ensure comfort throughout the year. On its opening day, "Dusty," owned by Barbara, won a dog costume contest and was named honorary "Puppy Prince/Princess."

“This dog park adds a great new feature to a fantastic park that has seen steady increase in use,” commented Parks & Recreation Department Director Dave Simon. “Great parks include happy pups.”

In 2024, Albuquerque was recognized as one of the best cities for dog parks by LawnStarter, ranking #7 nationally, an improvement from #11 in 2023.

Funded by City GO Bonds, the Vista Del Norte Dog Park was developed with assistance from Consensus Planning, Franklins Earthmoving, and Lee Landscapes. The city's network of dog parks will continue to grow in 2025 with projects nearing completion at Wells Park, Phil Chacon Park, Juan Tabo Hills Park, and Los Altos Park. Plans are also underway for new parks at Pat Hurley Park, Heritage Hills Park, and Uptown.

The grand opening included an adoption event hosted by the Animal Welfare Department where one dog found a new home with waived adoption fees.

For further details on Albuquerque’s dog parks, visit cabq.gov/dogparks.