A beloved community dog park in Tuscaloosa, Ala., recently got an upgrade with the addition of a pet wash station, allowing dog owners who come to play at the park to get their furry friends cleaned up before climbing in the car and heading home.
The project is located at Will May Dog Park at Sokol Park South in Tuscaloosa. Sokol Park South also features an all-inclusive playground called Mason’s Place, multiple shelters, various sports fields, a bike path, a pump track and restrooms.
Will May Dog Park was “named in honor of Will May, a local eighth grader who tragically passed away in a 2013 hunting accident,” said Adrian Cleckler, COO of Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority (PARA). “Since its opening, the park has become a beloved community hub for dogs and their families to play, train and socialize.” The park features fenced-in areas for small dogs and large dogs, as well as a training yard.
And now, they can get cleaned up afterward, thanks to the addition of the pet wash, a project “… made possible through the generosity of the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors, who contributed more than $27,000 from their 2024 Bark in the Park fundraiser,” Cleckler said.
Why add a pet wash to the local dog park? “PARA is always looking for ways to enhance the park experience for both dogs and owners,” Cleckler said. “After play or training sessions, dogs often get muddy or dirty, and owners needed a convenient solution. The wash station allows for on-the-spot grooming before heading home—providing a practical amenity that also makes the park stand out.”
Owners pay just $15 for a 20-minute wash, Cleckler added, with “… access to temperature-controlled water, built-in dryers, tear-free or oatmeal shampoos for sensitive pups, and even flea and tick treatments. Payment is credit card only, making it quick and convenient.”
The county saved money on the project by purchasing a trade show unit, Cleckler said. Only minor field adjustments needed to be made, with guidance from Dog Wash Systems, the manufacturer of the unit.
The dog wash was officially opened in April 2025 and is available for use during regular park hours.
Cleckler said that the feedback has been positive. “As one owner, Constance Mazone, put it, ‘When you come up here sometimes, especially in the training field, they get muddy. They can come over here, rinse their paws off, get them clean, dry them, and take them home. Or, for anybody that washes their dogs, and they really don’t have a place to do it in their house, this is a great place to come up here and do that.’
“There’s truly nothing else like it in Tuscaloosa, Cleckler concluded, “a one-stop spot for play, training and grooming, all in the heart of Will May Dog Park.” RM
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority: www.tcpara.org
Dog Wash Systems USA: www.dogwashsystems.com
