2020 Landscape Installation of the Year Award: commercial Category

barkwood dog park - ohio by synlawn

Barkwood Park is proud to be the largest municipal synthetic dog park. Residents of Beachwood and their four-legged friends now boast the largest dog park in the US with over 22,000 sf of synthetic turf. The city was on a very rigid budget and after contacting several turf companies in their area, the only one willing to come up with a solution to accommodate the budget needs was our STC member of SYNLawn Ohio. In a truly collaborative effort, SYNLawn Ohio's Amanda Wilkins worked side by side with twenty workers from the City directing them on placing rolls, cutting, seaming, working hands-on with them every day. She took additional time and showed them how to cut and they replicated her teachings. In the end, they were able to create two spacious zones where dogs of all sizes could chase around and socialize without even a hint of a muddy paw all year round. 

Barkwood was specially designed to feature 45-degree corners: the lack of right angles means that dogs are less likely to be cornered, which will help limit aggression. In a fun twist, the park even features turf covered play structures specifically designed for dogs. Designed internally by the city engineer Amanda coaxed the design around 15' widths to minimize cuts and ensure an efficient installation.   The massive rolls were brought in with forklifts and took a week to lay. Roadbase and dirt for the project was donated by local groups. 

Residents register their dog annually and boasts 447 dogs that enter with a keyfob since the grand opening last September. A dog camera allows residents to review the site in real time to see which of their furry friends are there to play with.