The main factor that determines whether or not I go to a particular park is having a big/small dog section with signs that say "off leash large dog area- please no small dogs" and vice versa. I've been to other parks that either aren't divided or people just ignore the signs and I've seen soooo many more fights/accidents happen there. Small dogs get stepped on, frightened dogs can't get away, prey drive, ect. Poop bag stations also really help keep things clean. The park I go to now requires a yearly membership fee (I think its like $35) and you have to have your dog registered with the city, provide a photo of the dog with info about its breed/gender/ect, and prove youre UTD on vaccinations. It is about 3 acres (including the small dog section) and has like an 8ft fence. Your dog is required to wear his "dog park license" when he is in the park and you have to carry your membership card. It doesn't have the automatic waterers/agility equipment/turf/random decorative crap that the free park does, but I would gladly pay that fee 5x over for this park. I understand that many people are opposed to a membership fee, but it can go a long way in maintaining the park and ensuring the general safety of the people and dogs. I think it is much easier to hold owners accounable and ban unruly/aggressive dogs with this system. I also love having the peace of mind knowing that the dogs have all been vaccinated, no one can jump the fence, and I can justifiably (and obviously politely) ask someone to move their small dog to the correct section the park. Ik this is a sweeping generalization, but ime the people who are willing to pay the $35 membership fee are more likely to pay attention to their dogs, read their body language, know when to leave, ect. Not everyone in this park is like this, but the "irresponsible" owners are few and far between compared to the free park.