Our first dog friendly event was so well received in 2022, that we are doing it again in 2023! Dogs are a big part of our families and they need exercise and love the outdoors as much as we do. Bring your family and your pups to the Trails & Tails 5k on Jan. 28. The Parks and Recreation staff will be stationed in the desert, ready to cheer you on to the finish line. Whether you choose to walk or jog, come and enjoy the beautiful outdoor trails with your entire family and your pups. Check in will begin at 8:15 a.m. with the 5k beginning at 8:30 a.m. If your four-legged friend isn’t quite comfortable being around other pups, feel free to start anytime between 8:30-8:45 a.m. All pups must be well behaved and on leash at all time. Pups are not required to participate. 

Apache Junction Animal Control will be joining us at the event. They will be collecting items such as cat litter, bleach, Dawn dish soap, canned dog and cat food, dog and cat treats and hard dog toys for strong chewers (such as Kong or Nylabone). Animal Control provides services to the residents of Apache Junction such as adoptions, licensing, public outreach and education and many other services.  

The Arizona Parks and Recreation Association’s “LeashUpCleanUp” campaign is a collaborative, statewide effort to encourage and remind people to keep their dogs on a leash and clean up after their pets. The campaign is meant to increase awareness about the impact dog waste has on the environment, health, and public safety as well as the importance of keeping your dog leashed in public spaces. In Arizona, it’s the law that your dog needs to be on a leash when out in public unless you are in an off-leash dog park. No matter where you take your dog or how well trained they are, your dog is safer when on a leash and you are too. Ever think it’s no big deal if you don’t pick up your dog's poop? Imagine that there's one dog for every ten people. In a medium-sized town of 100,000 people, that's 10,000 dogs. Now imagine if none of those people picked up their dog's waste. That's 10,000 to 20,000 poops on the ground every day! Pack it in, Pack it out!

This event is also the January My Park = My Gym: Park2Park Fitness challenge activity. Run, walk or dance “Your Way” to complete the 5k. Join us live on the Jan. 28 or complete it on your own. Route will be marked Jan. 21-30. Join the My Park= My Gym challenge and learn how our parks can become your gym. Registration is currently open and will close Jan. 2. 

Parks and Recreation would like to thank the Lost Dutchman Marathon; without their support these events would not be possible.

For more information on either of these programs or other programs and services, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 480-474-5240 or visit our website at www.apachejunctionaz.gov/parks.