Dog Run Maintenance

We have a huge off-leash dog run at one of our properties. When it was opened it was grass but now it's half grass and half dirt/mud. If you have a dog run, or if you are familiar with them, what do you do/see for ground cover? Do you keep re-planting grass annually, go to mulch, pea gravel or some other type of surface?

The properties that I manage that have dog runs, all keep grass in place. Your lawn service company should be able to maintain this area, and continue to plant seeds and material to maintain it green. Mulch is a bad idea! I wouldnt recommend it.

Thank you for input. I think we are going to stick with grass. I would think mulch would smell.

You are correct Kimberly, mulch does hold odors! Grass is the way to go. I would install a 'pet station' with baggies and a trash can for disposing of pet waste. Responsible pet owners will pick up after their pets. Great America Business Products and Welcome Home America both carry these. You might also want a few benches where the pet owners can socialize while the pets get to know one another!

We definitely do have the pet stations and some great benches for our non-canine residents to socialize. Dogs and people do love the area. It's this fabulously long pet run so the dogs definitely get their exercise when they are in there--but since they can get a good long and fast run in they absolutely destroy the grass.

As the owner of the longest running pet waste removal company in Phoenix we have cleaned a few dog parks and properties. It is estimated around 50-60000 acres of Mulitfamily and HOA common areas. As Pedro stated, The bermuda and winter rye grass here holds up if your landscapers are taking care of it, but I guess it may depend on what type of grass you have in your area. Pea gravel seems to work as well. It is easier and faster to find and remove dog waste from pea gravel than grass if your guys are cleaning it every day. You can also spray it with deodorizer, or disinfectant. Pea gravel = Less maintenance, less water, no mud, and in Phoenix, no winter lawn reseeding. Most parks are grass since it was probably already there.
I have seen some dog parks with half grass and half pea gravel(2 to 3" deep), with a curbing surround inside the fence. They placed benches and stations inside the fence between the curbing surround and fence. It made it look better than just a fence with grass. I have also seen a few with artificial turf, but it is costly upfront and can be more difficult to remove waste from when it sticks to it.