The Ankeny Brief
Ankeny's dog park is one of the better ones in the metro - 7.5 fully fenced acres with its own pond, split areas so big and small dogs aren't mixed, and even an obstacle course. There's one catch newcomers miss: you need an annual permit before you go. Here's the address, the cost, and exactly what your dog needs.
The Ankeny Dog Park is at 1155 SW Ankeny Road - 7.5 fenced acres with a pond, separate small- and large-dog areas, and an obstacle course, open sunrise to sunset. You need an annual permit: $25 residents / $35 non-residents from Ankeny Parks & Rec. Every dog needs a current rabies shot and its tag visible on the collar.
Inside the fence you get a half-acre pond (great for water-loving dogs), separate small-dog and large-dog areas so nervous or little pups have their own space, an obstacle course, and plenty of open green to run. It's a proper off-leash park, not just a fenced square.
The permit is the piece people forget: there's no gate attendant, but tags are expected to be on the collar and visible, and your dog must be up to date on rabies. Get the pass first through Ankeny Parks & Recreation (515-963-3571), then you're set for the year.
Bring water even though there's a pond, keep an eye on the small-vs-large split if your dog is timid, and leash up in the parking lot until you're inside the fence. Sunrise and early evening are the busiest, most social times.
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You buy one annual permit per dog, then your dog just wears its season pass tag on the collar each visit. It's $25 for residents, $35 for non-residents.
Yes - the park has separate small-dog and large-dog areas so little or shy dogs have their own fenced space.
There's a half-acre pond inside the park, so water-loving dogs can get in. Bring a towel for the car.
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