Layton’s Dog Park Debate Isn’t Over — Andy Adams Park Emerges as a Possible New Home
If you’ve seen a sign at one of Layton’s local parks and wondered what all the dog-park chatter is about, here’s the latest: the city is trying to decide where — not necessarily whether — to build its first off-leash dog park.
The Layton City Council heard from several residents at its Thursday night meeting about a proposed area inside Eastridge Nature Park that would have been designated for off-leash dogs. While the council took no action that night, the majority appeared open to exploring other locations — with Andy Adams Park surfacing as one possibility, though Eastridge isn’t fully off the table yet.
Why Some Neighbors Pushed Back on Eastridge
The objections weren’t about dogs in general — they were about the site. Residents who oppose the Eastridge location cited safety, legal, and environmental concerns. One neighbor near the nature park, who asked to be identified only as Lynda, said she owns dogs herself but doesn’t believe Eastridge is the right spot because of the wildlife and the creek running through the area.
Resident Landon Bickley raised traffic and access issues, noting that the proposal would place the park at the end of small residential roads where parked cars on either side effectively reduce the lane to a single pass-through — funneling heavy park traffic through a quiet neighborhood.
This Has Been Years in the Making
Despite impressions that the idea came out of nowhere, council members pushed back on that narrative. Councilwoman Bettina Smith Edmondson recalled several meetings over the past five years where a dog park has come up, and said she was surprised by suggestions the discussions had happened behind closed doors — describing it as a topic the council has openly discussed long before she even joined.
The council had been weighing a Parks and Recreation Department proposal from last November to set aside nine acres for off-leash dogs as part of ongoing development at Eastridge Nature Park, with some funding already secured through the city’s recreation, arts, museum, and parks (RAMP) tax.
Why Andy Adams Park Is Now in the Conversation
Layton Parks and Recreation director David Price told the council that Andy Adams Park could work as an off-leash option because much of the infrastructure is already in place there — meaning less construction time compared to Eastridge. The catch: reallocating funding from another project would be required.
Supporters point out that Layton wouldn’t be breaking new ground. Resident Ian Bowles noted that off-leash areas already work well in other Davis County cities, including Clearfield and Woods Cross, and urged the council to make an off-leash area a priority.
Longtime advocate Jennifer Shepherd, who has pushed for a Layton dog park for years, summed up the mood among supporters: if all the back-and-forth results in a safe dog park for Layton, she and other dog-owning residents will be happy — regardless of which site ultimately wins out.
What Happens Next
No final decision has been made. Director Price was asked to have the Parks and Recreation Department study Andy Adams Park and other viable options and report back to the council. As Mayor Joy Petro put it, the city is committed to listening with transparency and an open mind — while acknowledging that on this issue, some residents will feel they’ve won and some will feel they’ve lost.
DavisCountyUtah.com will keep residents posted as the conversation develops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will Layton’s dog park be located?
No site has been finalized. The original proposal was Eastridge Nature Park, but after resident concerns were raised, the City Council asked staff to study Andy Adams Park and other alternatives.
Is Layton definitely getting a dog park?
The debate is now centered on location rather than whether to build one at all. Council support appears to lean toward finding a workable site.
Does Layton currently have an off-leash dog park?
Not yet — it would be the city’s first. Nearby Davis County cities like Clearfield and Woods Cross already have off-leash areas.
Why did residents oppose the Eastridge site?
Concerns included potential impacts to wildlife and a nearby creek, traffic congestion on small residential roads, and general safety considerations.
