Rocky Top Dog Park

A:  This is a high maintenance facility and it is gated (a computer FOB is required to enter). Our staff visits the Rocky Top Dog Park 3 times weekly all year to perform maintenance tasks including waste bag replacement, pond maintenance and garbage pick-up. This is also the only township park which is lit year round (dawn/6 am and at dusk/9 pm). We also have a pond in the “any size” dog park which has a UV bacteria light and filtration pump.

A:  Most members mention “safety” as the primary reason they are a member. Other local dog parks are open to anyone.   If there is an issue with another dog, you have no idea whom they are and if their dog has been vaccinated. 

To become a member of the Rocky Top Dog Park owners must provide current dog license; proof of rabies inoculation and Distemper/Parvo combination (DHLPP).  Also, dogs must be 6 months or older to use the park. Males must be neutered. Females in heat are not permitted.

Other reasons include the pond and the wooded terrain. Other parks in the area are just fenced in areas with limited trees.

A:  We do not offer day passes because of the paperwork required and FOB based entry.  Our monthly membership is the “trial membership.”  If you decide to convert from a monthly membership to a yearly or mid-season membership, we will apply your monthly fee to that membership.  

A:  The gates are locked.  You use a FOB to enter.  New members are provided with 1 key FOB for entry.  You hold the FOB by the entry box and that unlocks the door.  Additional FOBs can be purchaced at the recreation department for a $10 charge.

A:  Yes, there are waste bag dispensers in all 3 sections of the park

A:  It is about 20 feet by 30 feet and 4 feet deep.  Dogs may swim in the pond!  There is a small stone water fall which is part of the filtration system.  We have a UV light which helps with bacteria and we also use several all-natural additives (such as barley straw) to help with algae.  While there are no fish, we do have a few frogs.  The pump/filtration system is in use when the temperatures are consistently above freezing.  The pond is completely drained and cleaned every other year.  The pond was deep cleaned on April 18, 2023.

Click here to see a short video (less than a minute) on the “Big Pond Clean Up of 2021”

A:  Yes there is algae in our pond. Algae blooms happen due to conditions such as ample sunlight, excess nutrients.  However, we do a many things to control the algae.  First we keep our water moving with a aerating pump and we have a UV clarifier to kill bacteria.  Next we add several PET FRIENDLY  products to control the algae including algaecide, barley straw and a product which is a blend of microbes.  All of this will control (not remove) algae.

A.  Over the years,  a few non-venonous, Northern Water snakes have made their home in our pond and on occasion you may see one.  Snakes help play a positive part in the environment; they keep down the population of mice, bugs, frogs, etc. 

Dogs and people are predators of snakes; not vice-versa. Snakes don’t like to be around people. Snakes do not chase people; they will usually move away when a predator is around except possibly during the mating season, a northern water snake male might try to deflect attention away from a female by moving toward a predator. Just like all animals, all snakes can bite if handled. 

According to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife,  New Jersey is home to 22 different species of snakes. Only 2 of the species are venomous (which are extremely rare or endangered) and none have been seen in our park!