The Nancy Mockler Dog Park: An Indefinite Closure and a Call to Our Community
For years, the Nancy Mockler Dog Park has served as a vital sanctuary for Cheyenne's four-legged residents and their human companions. Situated on land owned by the Cheyenne Animal Shelter, it was born from a vision of community and a deep love for animals—values embodied by its namesake. Nancy Mockler (1936–2005) was a cornerstone of our community, known for her tireless advocacy, including as a member of our Board of Directors.
It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the indefinite closure of this park. This decision was not made lightly, nor is it the outcome we ever desired. However, a "perfect storm" of insurmountable barriers has left us with no other choice—for now.
Earlier this year, we closed the park temporarily to address much-needed repairs and cleanup. The park has repeatedly fallen victim to significant vandalism—equipment destroyed, signage defaced, and both fencing and landscaping intentionally damaged. Compounding this was a persistent issue with garbage dumping and a widespread failure by some visitors to pick up after their pets.
Our hope was to refresh the space for the spring season. However, we arrived at a final and insurmountable hurdle during our annual insurance renewal. We were unexpectedly notified that our carrier will no longer provide liability insurance for the dog park. In the current insurance landscape, the park has become uninsurable for a private non-profit entity. Without this coverage, we cannot legally or responsibly keep the gates open.
The loss of this park is a loss for the entire community. A public dog park is not a "luxury"—it is a necessity for a healthy community. Research consistently shows that accessible spaces for pets and their owners produce better social health outcomes. These parks act as community hubs that reduce social isolation for humans and provide essential socialization for dogs, leading to better-behaved pets and more connected neighbors.
Other Communities Show Us What's Possible
In other communities, successful dog parks are supported through municipal governments by integrating them into their parks and recreation departments. City and county governments often benefit from "governmental immunity" provisions that eliminate the high-cost insurance barriers private organizations like ours simply cannot overcome. Municipal stewardship also brings dedicated maintenance staff, consistent rule enforcement, and access to grant funding reserved for public recreational infrastructure.
Some communities have taken a hybrid approach, forming volunteer-led "friends of the dog park" groups that partner with their city to share maintenance and fundraising—while the municipality retains ownership and liability coverage. These models demonstrate that where there is community will, creative and sustainable solutions can be found.
An Invitation to Partner with Us
The Cheyenne Animal Shelter remains a staunch supporter of the idea that our city needs and deserves high-quality, accessible places for pets and people to thrive together. While we can no longer provide this space on our own, our commitment to a pet-friendly Cheyenne is unshaken—and we do not believe this has to be the end of the story.
We are openly inviting dialogue. We want to hear from community members, city and county officials, local businesses, and anyone who cares about this issue. Could a municipal partnership make a reimagined dog park possible? Is there interest in forming a volunteer coalition? Are there funding sources we haven't yet explored?
If you have ideas, expertise, or simply passion for this cause, please reach out. We are committed to listening, collaborating, and doing whatever we can to help a sustainable solution take shape.
We thank those of you who cared for the Nancy Mockler Dog Park over the years. Her legacy of compassion and advocacy deserves more than a closed gate. Together, we can find a way to honor it.
To connect with the Cheyenne Animal Shelter on this issue, please email us at DogPark@caswyo.org.
