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MARQUETTE -- At noon on Aug. 10, the Marquette Dog Park Friends and city of Marquette will be hosting a fundraising kick-off event for the planned summer off-leash dog park at the park's future site, just past the NTN North Trails 550 trailhead. Exact coordinates are 6° 34′ 23.52″ N 87° 24′ 59.04″ W.
"Marquette is celebrated as an outdoor paradise during its warmest, longest days of the year, but local dog owners have long faced a major hurdle: city ordinances prohibit off-leash dogs within city limits, including all parks, bike trails and beaches," states a press release about the event from Marquette Dog Park Friends. "While Tourist Park provides a winter off-leash area from November to April, residents have lacked a space to exercise and socialize with their dogs during Marquette's summer months. That is officially about to change."
According to the city of Marquette's 2025 Master Plan, 69% of polled residents support the creation of a summer off-leash dog park.
In response to that desire, the volunteer group Marquette Dog Park Friends formed to raise the necessary funds. The project is moving forward, thanks to an offer of a parcel of wooded land by the Marquette Board of Light and Power, allowing for the creation of an 8.8 acre park.
The planned off-leash park will feature a 6.3 wooded area with shaded walking trails, a 1 acre area reserved for small dogs, a 1.5 acre open green space, fully fenced, accessible infrastructure including crushed gravel paths, wide gate entrances and a shared adjacent parking lot accommodating 50-plus vehicles, on-site drinking water by hand pump and access for both residents and travelers.
“We are ready to create off-leash trails for Marquette’s canine community, but we need our neighbors’ help to cross the finish line,” said Jessica Mariin, vice president of Marquette Dog Park Friends Board. “This project is 100% privately funded, meaning construction relies entirely on cash and in-kind donations from individuals, businesses and local organizations.”
The fundraising goal for the project is $350,000, with most of the budget dedicated to fencing and earthwork to make the space fully accessible. The budget also includes endowed funds to assist with future maintenance.
Once funds are secured and the park is constructed, the city of Marquette will assume long-term care of the facility. The goal is for the park to be open to the public in summer 2027.
Those interested in donating can visit www.marquettedogpark.com or email woof@marquettedogpark.org