Hondo Dog Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hondo Dog Park |
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Entrance to the park.
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| Type | Public, city |
| Location | Hillsboro, Oregon, United States |
| Area | 3.75 acres (15,200 m2) |
| Created | 2007 |
| Operated by | Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department |
| Status | Day use only |
| Website | Hondo Dog Park |
Hondo Dog Park is a special park just for dogs and their owners in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. It opened in 2007 and was the very first dog park in Hillsboro! This park is almost four acres big and is located near Hillsboro Stadium. It's named after a brave police dog from the Hillsboro Police Department named Hondo. He was a K-9 unit dog who sadly died while on duty. The park even has a unique fire hydrant painted like an American flag to remember him, which caused a bit of a stir when the park first opened.
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What's at Hondo Dog Park?
This park is a great place for dogs to run and play without a leash. It's located near Hillsboro Stadium and the Sunset Highway. Hondo Dog Park covers about 3.75 acres (15,200 m²) and is divided into three main areas.
Play Areas for All Dogs
One part of the park is a smaller, fenced-in section. This area is perfect for shy dogs or smaller breeds. The main part of the park is a large open space for all dogs to play. There's also a special sandy area that can be used in any weather. The park officially opened on September 17, 2007. A big celebration was held on September 29 to welcome Hillsboro's first dog park.
Fun Features for Dogs and Owners
The park has a small hill that dogs love to run up and down. You'll also find special drinking fountains just for dogs. The entrances have double gates to keep dogs safe inside. The paths are made of gravel and are easy to use for wheelchairs. There are also benches where people can sit and watch their dogs play. Many things in the park have fun dog-themed paintings on them.
The Famous Memorial Hydrant
The park has two old fire hydrants that were given by Clean Water Services. Local dog groups painted them. One hydrant has cute cartoon dogs on it. The other is painted like an American flag and is called the "Hondo Memorial Hydrant." This flag-painted hydrant is a special way to remember Hondo, the police dog the park is named after. It sits on a base about 18 inches (460 mm) tall.
When the park first opened, this flag hydrant caused some discussion. Officials briefly removed it because they worried dogs might use it in a way that seemed disrespectful to the flag. But it was soon brought back and fenced off to prevent any issues. This story about the flag-painted hydrant even made news around the world!
Who Was Hondo?
Hondo was a brave German Shepherd Dog who worked for the Hillsboro Police Department. He was a K-9 unit dog, meaning he was trained to help police officers.
Hondo's Bravery
When Hondo was three years old, he received a Silver Medal of Valor. This award was given to him for helping to catch a person who had a knife. Hondo worked with the police department for two years. During that time, he helped officers catch 32 suspects!
Remembering Hondo
Sadly, Hondo died on March 12, 1997, while helping police officers. A special memorial service was held for him. Police dogs and officers from all over Oregon came to honor him. Hondo's ashes were spread over the city of Hillsboro. He is the only K-9 officer from Hillsboro to have died while on duty. At the entrance to Hondo Dog Park, there is a plaque dedicated to him, so everyone can remember his courage.
