Deer Valley Community (PetSmart) Dog Park in Phoenix, Arizona: An In-Depth Review

Meta Description: Discover Deer Valley Community Dog Park at 19602 N 19th Ave in Phoenix—a spacious 2.5-acre park with separate areas for different-sized dogs, clean facilities, and a friendly community atmosphere. Learn what makes it stand out!

Introduction

Deer Valley Community Dog Park, another of Phoenix’s PetSmart-sponsored parks, offers dog owners a generous 2.5-acre space where their canine companions can exercise and socialize off-leash in a well-maintained environment. Located at 19602 N. 19th Ave, adjacent to the 19th Ave. parking lot north of Union Hills Rd., this park features separate areas for dogs of different sizes, basic amenities, and extended operating hours. With its clean facilities and typically friendly atmosphere, Deer Valley has earned praise from visitors seeking a reliable off-leash experience for their pets. This review explores the park’s strengths and limitations to help you determine if it’s the right destination for your next dog outing.

Location & Accessibility

Deer Valley Community Dog Park maintains exceptionally generous operating hours, open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., accommodating early risers and night owls alike. This extended availability is particularly valuable in Phoenix’s climate, allowing visitors to avoid the intense midday heat during summer months. The park’s location adjacent to a parking lot provides convenient access, though specific details about parking capacity aren’t extensively documented in the reviews. The broader Deer Valley community setting appears to contribute to a generally positive atmosphere, despite some challenges with rule adherence.

Separate Play Areas for Dogs

One of the park’s standout features is its comprehensive division into multiple areas based on dog size. As one visitor described, “There is a Large Dog Area and a Small Dog Area. I think there is a mixed-size area, but it was closed for maintenance.” Another reviewer confirmed this three-way division: “There are three parks separated by dog size.” This thoughtful separation helps ensure safety and appropriate play environments for dogs of all sizes. The spaces are described as “very large yards,” providing ample room for exercise regardless of which area visitors use.

Amenities & Features

Grass & Ground Surface: Reviews offer conflicting information about ground cover. While the official description mentions “2.5 Acres of Grass,” one visitor stated, “There’s no grass on the ground” during their visit, and another commented, “It would be a 5 star place if it had grass.” However, a different reviewer was “pleasantly surprised to see a clean dog park with grass!” These contradictions might indicate seasonal variations or differences between the various enclosures.

Shade & Seating: The park offers “plenty of seating available inside the dog areas,” as one visitor noted, though specific mentions of shade coverage are limited in the reviews. This could be an important consideration during Phoenix’s hotter months.

Water Stations: Water is available at the park, with positive comments about its quality. One reviewer specifically praised the “clean water,” contributing to their overall positive assessment of the facilities.

Toys & Play Equipment: The park emphasizes open space rather than structured equipment, with descriptions like “wide open dog park” and “good sized nice open space for dogs to play” suggesting the focus is on natural play and socialization.

Cleanliness & Maintenance: Opinions on cleanliness vary, though they tend toward the positive. Multiple reviewers described the park as “clean,” with one noting it’s “always clean” and praising the “regular people and dogs” who are “so nice & respectful to each other.” However, another visitor complained about rule violations and waste management: “owners are lazy or don’t care about rules because there is plenty of poop laying around.” The park does provide waste disposal infrastructure, with “trash can and pooper scooper for picking up poop” and “usually grocery bags available if you don’t have your own dog bags.”

Scenic Location & Nearby Attractions

While detailed descriptions of the park’s scenic qualities are limited in the reviews, the picnic area and restrooms add convenience for extended visits. However, one reviewer noted concerns about these facilities: “Trash is left all over the place” in the picnic area, and the restrooms “need to be better monitored due to people who don’t know how to act or take care of things.” These issues appear to stem from visitor behavior rather than maintenance negligence, as the same reviewer noted seeing “less homeless but they still trash the restrooms.”

Challenges & Concerns

The primary concerns involve rule adherence among visitors. One frustrated reviewer noted that “the dog owners don’t know how to follow rules,” specifically mentioning unleashed dogs outside the enclosed areas and failure to pick up waste despite available facilities. They followed up in January 2024, noting “No change still the same. Sad but true.” Another visitor offered controversial advice to “bring them [dogs that bark a lot or fight with other dogs] to the park leave your lease at the gate,” which contradicts responsible dog park etiquette.

Overall Experience & Recommendations

Despite some challenges, Deer Valley Community Dog Park receives generally positive reviews, particularly for its spaciousness, cleanliness compared to other local options, and friendly regular visitors. One enthusiastic dog owner shared that their pet “is so tired by the time she gets home from playing with everyone there,” indicating a successful exercise experience. Another who had been using Paradise Valley dog park due to closures at other facilities was “pleasantly surprised” by Deer Valley and planned to “continue as an option.” For the best experience, visitors should bring their own waste bags as backup, be prepared to enforce appropriate behavior from their own dogs, and consider visiting during less busy times if their pet is anxious around others.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth a Visit?

For dog owners in North Phoenix seeking a spacious, generally well-maintained environment, Deer Valley Community Dog Park offers a solid option with its multiple size-appropriate areas and extended hours. One reviewer “highly recommend[s] this park,” while another describes “always a great time for the doggos.” The park appears particularly well-suited for dogs who enjoy socialization, as one visitor simply noted: “Dogs beings dogs. A whole lot of sniffing.” Those with timid pets might appreciate visiting during weekday mornings when it’s “relatively empty,” as mentioned by one reviewer.

If you’re in the North Phoenix area and looking for a spacious dog park with separate areas for different-sized dogs and extended hours, Deer Valley Community Dog Park deserves consideration. While remaining vigilant about your own pet’s behavior and waste cleanup, you’ll likely find a friendly community of regular visitors and sufficient space for dogs to run and play. For those exploring multiple options throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, check out our complete guide to the Dog Park Etiquette in Arizona to find additional dog-friendly destinations that might offer features specifically suited to your dog’s preferences and personality.