Hondo Dog Park
Encyclopedia
Hondo Dog Park is a city park
in Hillsboro, Oregon
, United States
. Opened in 2007, it is the first dog park
in that city. Located on nearly four acres, the park is in the northeast section of Hillsboro adjacent to Hillsboro Stadium
. Hondo Dog Park is named after a Hillsboro Police Department
K-9 unit
dog that was shot and killed in the line of duty. The park includes a fire hydrant painted like an American flag as a memorial to the police dog, which received some controversy when the park opened.
. Hondo Dog Park sits on 3.75 acres (15,175.7 m²) and has three sections. A small fenced in section is for timid and smaller dogs, while the larger portion contains a general playing area and an area designed for all-weather use containing sand. The park opened on September 17, 2007, with a grand opening event held on September 29 for Hillsboro's first dog park.
One natural feature at the park is a small hill. Other features include drinking water stations designed for canine use, double-gated entrances, wheelchair accessible gravel paths, and park benches. Many features have dog themes painted on them.
The park also features two former fire hydrants donated by Clean Water Services and painted by a local dog association. One hydrant is decorated with cartoon dog characters, while the other is painted with an American flag and known as the "Hondo Memorial Hydrant". The hydrant with the American flag is a memorial to the namesake of the park and is situated atop an 18 inches (457.2 mm) base. Within a week of opening officials removed the hydrant painted as an American flag over concerns of disrespect for the flag if dogs used the hydrant, but it was later returned and fenced off to prevent such incidents. The controversy over the flag painted hydrant received international news.
Hondo, a German Shepherd Dog
, was a canine member of the Hillsboro Police Department. A three-year-old, Hondo won a Silver Medal of Valor from county law enforcement in early March 1997 for taking down a man armed with a knife. He spent two years with the department and helped to catch 32 suspects in total.
Hondo was killed on March 12, 1997, during a police shootout. A memorial service drew police dogs and officers from around the state of Oregon. Hondo's ashes were spread over the city. He is the only Hillsboro K-9 officer killed in the line of duty. The park’s entrance includes a plaque dedicated to Hondo.
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
in Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Opened in 2007, it is the first dog park
Dog park
A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners...
in that city. Located on nearly four acres, the park is in the northeast section of Hillsboro adjacent to Hillsboro Stadium
Hillsboro Stadium
Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States is a multi-sport stadium owned by the city of Hillsboro. Opened in 1999, the award winning stadium is part of the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex located in the northeast part of the city adjacent to the Sunset Highway...
. Hondo Dog Park is named after a Hillsboro Police Department
Hillsboro Police Department
The Hillsboro Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency of the city of Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. It is a regionally accredited agency with 115 sworn officers on the force. As of July 2010, the chief is Carey Sullivan in a city of over 90,000 residents west of Portland,...
K-9 unit
Police dog
A police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
dog that was shot and killed in the line of duty. The park includes a fire hydrant painted like an American flag as a memorial to the police dog, which received some controversy when the park opened.
Amenities
The off-leash park is located off Northeast 229th Avenue near Hillsboro Stadium and the Sunset HighwaySunset Highway (Oregon)
The Sunset Highway No. 47 , in the state of Oregon, is an official designation for the portion of U.S. Route 26 between its western terminus, south of Seaside, and the interchange with Interstate 405 in downtown Portland...
. Hondo Dog Park sits on 3.75 acres (15,175.7 m²) and has three sections. A small fenced in section is for timid and smaller dogs, while the larger portion contains a general playing area and an area designed for all-weather use containing sand. The park opened on September 17, 2007, with a grand opening event held on September 29 for Hillsboro's first dog park.
One natural feature at the park is a small hill. Other features include drinking water stations designed for canine use, double-gated entrances, wheelchair accessible gravel paths, and park benches. Many features have dog themes painted on them.
The park also features two former fire hydrants donated by Clean Water Services and painted by a local dog association. One hydrant is decorated with cartoon dog characters, while the other is painted with an American flag and known as the "Hondo Memorial Hydrant". The hydrant with the American flag is a memorial to the namesake of the park and is situated atop an 18 inches (457.2 mm) base. Within a week of opening officials removed the hydrant painted as an American flag over concerns of disrespect for the flag if dogs used the hydrant, but it was later returned and fenced off to prevent such incidents. The controversy over the flag painted hydrant received international news.
Namesake
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
, was a canine member of the Hillsboro Police Department. A three-year-old, Hondo won a Silver Medal of Valor from county law enforcement in early March 1997 for taking down a man armed with a knife. He spent two years with the department and helped to catch 32 suspects in total.
Hondo was killed on March 12, 1997, during a police shootout. A memorial service drew police dogs and officers from around the state of Oregon. Hondo's ashes were spread over the city. He is the only Hillsboro K-9 officer killed in the line of duty. The park’s entrance includes a plaque dedicated to Hondo.