Dog Fancy(R) Magazine Names America's Best Dog Parks

IRVINE, Calif., April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Dog Fancy, the world's most widely read dog magazine, announced its picks for its annual America's Best Dog Parks contest. This year's best dog park is Jackass Acres K-9 Korral, in New River, Ariz.

"In an age when keyboards and touchpads connect us, off-leash parks flourish across the country because they are great gathering places for both dogs and dog owners to come together and enjoy each other's company,'' says Dog Fancy Editor Ernie Slone. "The best parks offer opportunities for socialization and exercise, but also strive to create a special bond and a sense of community.''

This isn't the first time Jackass Acres K-9 Korral received this honor: Dog Fancy named them the best park in their 2008 competition.

"With its dedication to eco-friendly practices, and commitment to helping neighbors who face economic challenges in these tough times, Jackass Acres goes above and beyond the call to aid pets and their owners,'' says Slone.

In celebration of Dog Fancy's 40th anniversary, the magazine named the country's top 40 parks. Rounding out the top 10 dog parks are:

• Pilgrim Bark Park, Provincetown, Mass.
• Kenton Paw Park, Covington, Ky.
• Cosmo Dog Park, Gilbert, Ariz.
• Puptown Dog Park, Chicago, Ill.
• W.O.O.F. P.A.C. Park, Santa Maria, Calif.
• Hermon Dog Park, Los Angeles, Calif.
• Prairie Pastures Dog Park, Clinton, Iowa
• Wantage Dog Park, Wantage, N.J.
• Bow Wow Beach, Stow, Ohio

Each year, Dog Fancy calls for readers to submit nominations for what they believe to be America's best dog parks. To be considered, parks must have fencing, double gates and free clean-up bags. Parks are then considered based on a list of criteria including: water for dogs and their people, shade, lights, parking availability and accessibility, support organizations and special events, among others. This year, extra points were awarded to dog parks with an active community group and parks that hold educational workshops or low-cost health clinics.

For the complete story on America's Best Dog Parks, and to find out which 40 parks made the list, pick up the June issue of Dog Fancy, on newsstands April 27, 2010.

Dog lovers can also log onto www.DogChannel.com/dogparks to locate a dog park in their area.

To schedule an interview with the editor, contact Lisa MacDonald, marketing director, at 949-855-8822, ext. 3345.

About BowTie, Inc.

BowTie, Inc. is the leader in special interest pet magazines, trade magazines, books and websites dedicated to pet-loving consumers, pet-supply retailers, veterinarians, breeders and pet professionals worldwide. Divisions of BowTie, Inc. include BowTie Magazines, BowTie Press, BowTie News, Thoroughbred Times Company, Global Distribution Services and www.AnimalNetwork.com.

SOURCE BowTie, Inc.