The Pacific Steele Dog Park will be temporarily closed beginning May 18 “to protect the health of the turf, ensure public safety, and maintain the long‑term quality of this popular community space,” according to Great Falls Park and Recreation.
The dog park is scheduled to reopen June 15.
This year’s unusually mild winter led to far more park use is typical during the colder months, according to Park and Rec, causing higher-than-normal wear and tear, soil compaction and root stress. As a result, the turf is entering the spring season in a weakened condition.
Spring and early summer also bring rising soil temperatures, which gives Park and Rec a good window to overseed and fertilize.
Without a period of rest, these current use conditions can lead to long-term turf damage, bare patches, and erosion that become increasingly expensive and time‑consuming to repair.
This temporary closure allows park staff to perform maintenance, including irrigation adjustments, turf repair, and application of treatments that require the space to be free of pets and people.
“By giving the turf time to recover now, we help ensure the dog park remains safe, healthy, and enjoyable throughout the rest of the year,” according to Park and Rec.
