A new space for dogs and their owners to run, play and connect officially opened April 12 in Stroud Township and is already drawing visitors from across Monroe County.
The Stroud Region Dog Park is located at Brodhead Creek Park at 4002 N. Fifth St., East Stroudsburg. The 1-acre, fenced in park offers a unique setting that sets it apart from others in the area.
Jennifer Shukaitis, chair of the Stroud Township Board of Supervisors, said the park’s location along the Levee Loop Trail, which connects Stroud Township, Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, makes it especially appealing for visitors looking to spend more time outdoors with their pets.
“It is a nice, shady spot with old growth trees in a little grove, right along the Brodhead Creek,” Shukaitis said.
Visitors “can take their dogs for a hike, take them for a swim before or after their visit,” she said. “Also, the area is a sandy area, so I don’t foresee it becoming muddy, like some dog parks might get as it gets worn down in certain areas.”
The Stroud Region Dog Park at Brodhead Creek Park, seen on April 14, 2026, offers a fenced in space for dogs to play off leash and owners to gather.
Shukaitis said the park is the first of its kind in the township and provides a safe, off-leash environment for dogs while also creating opportunities for residents to connect. Dog owners “are building their own community, which is really beautiful to witness and see,” she said.
Even before its official opening on April 12, the park had already begun attracting steady visitors after fencing was installed in November, she said.
“I have seen visitors from Bushkill, Henryville, even Long Pond coming to this dog park,” Shukaitis said.
Shukaitis said the idea for the project dates back to 2023, when the Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission conducted a community survey to better understand what residents across the three municipalities wanted to see added or improved. She said the dog park emerged as one of the most requested projects.
A committee was formed soon after, and members began developing rules, designing the layout and identifying possible locations before selecting the current site. Three locations were studied. The group also led fundraising efforts to bring the project to life.
Shukaitis credited strong community support and partnerships as key to making the park a reality. She said leadership from the Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission, along with dedicated committee members who handled fundraising and outreach, played a major role.
The project received a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant of $10,000 in American Rescue Plan funds. Stroud Township also contributed significantly, she said.
In addition to larger funding sources, community members supported the park through smaller sponsorships, including plaques placed along the fence in memory of pets or loved ones and contributions toward benches. Shukaitis said those sponsorship opportunities are ongoing to help maintain and potentially expand the park in the future.
The entrance to the Stroud Region Dog Park at Brodhead Creek Park in Stroud Township is seen on April 14, 2026.
So far, the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, she said, with regular visitors already forming connections, both human and canine.
“They have favorite friends that they get excited about when they see them coming in the park,” she said.
Looking ahead, Shukaitis said she hopes the park continues to grow as a safe, welcoming space for dogs to exercise and socialize, while also strengthening connections among neighbors.
Reach Emmanuella Pierre at epierre@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Stroud Region Dog Park opens at Brodhead Creek Park
