The Mary Ellen Yost Memorial Dog Park in Onalaska, TX

Onalaska is a small town, and one of the nice things about a small town is that a project like a memorial dog park doesn't get lost in the shuffle — people know about it, use it, and remember why it's there. The Mary Ellen Yost Memorial Dog Park, located within Onalaska City Park, is a fenced, off-leash space set up as a memorial in Mary Ellen Yost's honor.

A fenced space for dogs to run off-leash

The park gives local dog owners a safe, enclosed place to let their dogs off-leash without worrying about traffic or a dog wandering off — something a lot of East Texas properties, with open land and roads nearby, don't always have close to town. It's a small, specific kind of amenity that matters a lot to the people who use it regularly, even if it doesn't take up much space on a map of Onalaska.

Why a fenced park matters

We build fences for a living, so it's hard not to notice how much a well-fenced enclosure changes what's possible for a space like this. A secure perimeter is what allows dogs of different sizes and temperaments to run loose in the same area at the same time, and what lets owners relax a little instead of keeping a hand on a leash the whole visit. It's the same reasoning that goes into a residential dog run fence at home, just built at a public-park scale: the fence isn't the point of the visit, but nothing about the visit works without it.

A community space, not just a dog park

Parks like this tend to become small gathering spots almost by accident — regulars get to know each other, dogs get to know each other, and it ends up functioning as much as a place to run into neighbors as a place to exercise a dog. For a town the size of Onalaska, that kind of low-key community space is worth having, and worth maintaining well over time.

A local company in a local community

We're based right here in Onalaska, and most of our work is for neighbors, farms, and businesses within a short drive of where we're sitting. We don't have anything to do with running or maintaining the dog park, but we're glad it's here, and it's the kind of local amenity we like seeing get used. If you're ever in the area with a dog that needs a place to stretch its legs, it's worth a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Mary Ellen Yost Memorial Dog Park?

It's located within Onalaska City Park in Onalaska, TX. Check the City of Onalaska's own park information for current hours and exact directions before visiting.

Is the dog park fenced and off-leash?

Yes, it's a fenced, off-leash area, which is what allows dogs to run and play without a leash while staying contained within the park boundary.

Does Texas Rural Fence maintain the dog park?

No, the park is a City of Onalaska amenity and isn't something we maintain or operate. We're simply a local business glad to see it in our community.