Mary S. Young
Located in West Linn, Oregon on the Willamette River - less than 30 minutes south of Portland - this park boasts 128 acres of forested trails, sports fields, two official off-leash areas for dogs (one right on the river!), wildlife habitat and plenty of water-front views.
Dog Lagoon
Mary S. Young park has a lot to offer everyone, not just dog owners. Picnic spots for families, soccer fields for the local leagues, walking trails, bird watching, and amazing backdrops for just taking a break from it all. As a lab owner, the big selling point for me was the off-leash area on the water. There's a whole beach about a quarter-mile down the hill from the main parking area where water- and land-loving dogs can take advantage of some prime riverside real estate set aside just for them.
Entrance to Dog Lagoon
The layout of dog lagoon can vary depending on the water level but in general, there is plenty of space for beachgoers and swimmers. Whether your dog is a serious swimmer or just wants to test the shallow end, the setup is really ideal.
After you've made your way down the main trail to the river - aptly named the Riverside Loop Trail - there are a number of footpaths that will take you right to the river's edge. Dog Lagoon has its own sign so you'll know you've reached the right spot.
Dog Park
The park's second off-leash dog area is a more stereotypical, large grassy field. It's got covered picnic tables, a working hose, tons of space, and a walking-path around one side of the perimeter.
The park's water feature has both fountains and a hose, plus some there are typically some wading pools to splash around in.
One important thing to note is that this off-leash area is NOT fully fenced. It's bordered on three sides by some pretty dense brush but there are through-paths and the area is bordered on one side by the main parking area. This may sound precarious - it did to me when I first saw it - but I was surprised to find how little it made a difference for my dogs and others. Still, this characteristic prevents me from recommending it for first-time dog park visits or for dogs with no roadway or car inhibitions. A lot of visitors do drive carefully through this area, but not all.
