Run-A-Muk Dog Park expansion now open for ‘business’

The Team behind the Team, Basin Rec employees take a quick lunch break to attend the Ribbon Cutting Grand Opening of the Run-A-Muk's Dog Park's lower expansion on Wednesday. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

BARK CITY, Utah — On Wednesday, Basin Rec held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of its expansion of the Run-A-Muk Dog Park at its newly constructed lower entrance area.

Along with a gate, the fee-free area includes a 30-car paved parking lot with two disabled spots, restrooms, and the all-important bags and bins.

This video illustrates applause and approval from both people and barking dogs.

Dave Paskoski, Trails Supervisor was the one who cut the new trail named the yoga-vibe-inspired “Pawmaste.” He and Basin Rec Trails and Open Space Manager Phares Gines, who oversaw the entire expansion, brought out the oversized, novelty scissors to cut the red ribbon signifying the grand opening. 

Pawmaste connects up to the existing network of trails within the acres and acres of fully-fenced-in, off-leash Dog Park hiking area.

In his speech to the crowd on Wednesday, Gines made sure to thank all of the people and partners that made this project possible including the government entity of Summit County.

The Run-A-Muk enjoys 200,000 visits per year since opening originally a decade ago.

Maddie Nelson, Basin Rec Open Space Supervisor told TownLift, “We’re thankful to the community for their patience as we worked to get this trailhead open.” She added, “The restoration soft fencing interiorly will continue in vulnerable spots around the dog park. It’s a way for us to rehabilitate spaces that often get overused and encourage people to be mindful about staying on trails. I know we can’t really enforce that with our furry friends, but it’s our philosophy to give back to the land and protect some of the areas.” 

Each Spring Basin Rec holds a Community Clean Up for a few days at the popular Park whereby people and their dogs can come in, are offered buckets and shovels and can spend some extended time picking up anything left behind which may have accumulated during the snowier months.

At Wednesday’s ceremony, Basin Rec provided snacks and soft drinks for tw0-legged and four-legged attendees. Also on the table was literature regarding the rules and regulations for using the Run-A-Muk.

The Run-A-Muk is on the patrol route of Basin Rec’s three full time, year round staff Rangers. Their Leader, Aaron Williams who comes from a law enforcement background, told TownLift, “Parking violations are our main concerns so the addition of this new lot will alleviate any prior parking safety issues users may have experienced.”

The Run-A-Muk is located on Olympic Parkway off of S.R. 224.