Allen Park opens Rusty’s Dog Park with separate areas and registration requirements

Allen Park opened Rusty’s Dog Park on June 30 at 24000 Outer Drive, creating a new public recreation facility for Allen Park and Melvindale residents. The opening and ribbon-cutting were reported July 16.

The park is near the Melvindale border and includes two areas: one for dogs under 30 pounds and another open to all dogs. That layout gives owners of smaller dogs a designated section while providing a separate area for broader use.

Residents must complete registration first

Access is not described as drop-in use. Dogs must be registered at the Allen Park city clerk’s office, and owners must provide proof of vaccination. The dogs also must be licensed, and owners must sign a waiver before using the facility.

The registration fee is $35 for the first dog. A second dog costs an additional $10, and a third dog costs another $10. For an owner registering three dogs, those listed fees total $55.

Those requirements mean residents should gather vaccination records and confirm that their dogs are licensed before going to the clerk’s office. The approved reporting identifies Allen Park and Melvindale residents as eligible users; it does not establish access for all Downriver residents.

Site followed resident feedback

City Administrator Tom Murray said resident surveys and other feedback supported creating a dog park at the site. The Allen Park Department of Public Services is among the city entities identified in connection with the facility and local services.

The June 30 opening changes recreation options for dog owners in the two communities, while the under-30-pound section provides a designated space based on dog size. The source packet does not provide attendance figures, construction details or a schedule for future expansion, so the opening is the confirmed development at this stage.

Hours and costs are not provided

The approved sources do not state the park’s operating hours, construction cost, operating budget or funding breakdown. They also do not say that use is free. Residents should confirm current registration forms, hours and operating rules with the Allen Park city clerk’s office or through city information before visiting.

The city’s official materials provide a municipal reference for clerk functions and local registrations, but the reviewed packet does not identify a separate park deadline or a later operating change. For now, the known next step for eligible residents is to complete the required registration process and meet the vaccination, licensing and waiver requirements.