If dogs could speak, the discussion would quickly turn to food. If dogs could perform complicated mathematical tasks, they would probably design a park like the one I visited recently. Kelly Acree has saved them the trouble with a new indoor dog park called Unleashed.
Unleashed is an upscale facility on Samuell Boulevard in east Dallas that offers dog owners the benefits of an outdoor dog park along with the temperature control of an indoor arena.
The most unique feature of the 50,000 sq. ft. facility is the special K-9 turf along with the drainage and flushing system that keeps the park clean. Oversized ceiling fans and dehumidifiers keep the air moving and smelling less like – well - dogs.
Catering to dog owners as well as their dogs, Unleashed includes amenities such as a café, gift shop, grooming salon and doggie daycare center.
Unleashed is the brainchild of Dallas residents Kelly and Cody Acree. The couple regularly visited a dog park near White Rock Lake with Lucas, their Labrador retriever. Watching the packs of dogs and owners each week, they imagined a place that could take the best elements of the outdoor park and eliminate some of the less desirable ones like cold weather, mud and irresponsible owners.
“It took about two years to put this together,” explains Acree. “Our objective was to create a fresh and clean park that would be attractive to owners as well as their dogs.”
The result was a $10 million, 50,000 sq. foot facility along I-30 about 4 miles from downtown Dallas.
Opening day in April attracted over 300 dogs but a typical weekend day brings in 50 – 60 dogs and owners. An up to date vaccination record is required to register a dog on the first visit. Afterwards, a collar tag similar to a toll tag checks the dog into the park and charges the owner’s account.
The play area offers large space for large and small dogs. Movable walls allow the staff to reconfigure the space for events and their growing dog daycare business.
The staff watches 15-20 dogs per day in the daycare program. For a small fee they will also watch dogs in the play park for short periods of time while owners shop or take a break in the adjoining café.
Pampered dogs may also enjoy an evening with friends in the Unleashed bedroom suite that includes a queen sized bed, chairs, couches, dog beds and access to the play park all night long.
The task of keeping peace among the dogs and owners goes to the Unleashed staff. “Our staff members have experience in working with dogs and understand dog behavior,” says Acree. “They try to anticipate problems before they occur and intervene if necessary when fights occur.”
The park does reserve the right to remove overly aggressive dogs and pit bulls are not allowed at all, she added.
Most dogs just enjoyed the chance to run and chase and sniff their way around the park.
Expansion plans are already in the works, says Acree. The café will eventually be expanded and moved to the second level. An outdoor dog water park is also planned for the property.
Admission to the park is $7.50 per day or $150 per month. Daycare runs $25 a day and can exceed $50 if combined with a spa treatment.
Local and national media attention for Unleashed has Karen and her husband Cody pondering requests for new parks in cities such as Phoenix and Minneapolis. They would also like to open a facility in the north Dallas suburbs but their energies are currently focused on Unleashed #1.
“I’m very pleased with the response so far,” says Acree. “This is the first facility of its kind and we have overcome a number of obstacles in getting to this point. It’s very gratifying to watch the dogs and their owners enjoy the park.”
Visit www.unleasheddogparks.com for more information.
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