Alpena dogs have a new place to run, play and make friends at Thomas Stafford Dog Park, a completely fenced-in, off-leash park behind the Alpena Post Office at North Riverfront Park.
The park’s setting beside the Thunder Bay River gives visiting dogs and their owners a scenic place to spend time outdoors. Inside the fenced area, visitors will find benches, a water spigot, mutt mitts, garbage receptacles, tunnels and plenty of space for play.
A community effort behind the park
The dog park was the result of a two-year effort by Alpena residents Abby O’Bryan and Alisha Manning. Before City Council, the pair worked to build support for a Patronicity campaign and held fundraisers around Alpena.
Those efforts, along with donations from the community, helped make the city dog park possible. The project reflects the work that can happen when residents organize around a shared need and continue seeking support over time.
What visitors can expect
Thomas Stafford Dog Park is designed for active play as well as a break for owners. Dogs can move through tunnels, use the available play space and interact with other dogs, while people have benches and nearby supplies available for the visit.
Residents are encouraged to share photographs from the park on the Thomas Stafford Dog Park Facebook page. For Alpena dog owners looking for an off-leash outing, the park offers a designated, fenced location with river views and basic amenities for both pets and people.