Most of the fence around Wiggly Field is low four-foot split rail. Volunteers and the City of Monroe built the park in 2009 at the south end of Skykomish River Park, and they chose that fence on purpose. The city says the lower fence was "specifically designed to withstand annual flooding of the Skykomish River during winter months (roughly October through April)." The only tall chain link runs along the north side. The rest of the fence is meant to let water pass through and stay cheap to repair.
That one design choice explains Monroe's winter dog routine. The town's only permanent off-leash park was built expecting to flood. So each fall the off-leash hour moves under a roof at Evergreen State Fair Park, and for the next five months it follows the fairgrounds' schedule.
A Dog Park Built to Go Underwater
Wiggly Field covers about 2.5 acres. It has agility equipment, shade trees, benches, drinking fountains for dogs and people, and a small covered shelter. In summer, wire mesh along the split rail keeps small dogs from slipping out. The city's parks FAQ says that mesh comes down from October through April because of the annual flooding. Small-dog owners feel that change first. The park stays technically open in the wet months, but the fence that made it feel secure for a terrier is gone until spring.
The river sets the terms for its neighbors too. Al Borlin Park has a 1.2-mile network of soft gravel trails through 90 wooded acres, and the city says it may close in winter because of flooding. Skykomish River Park has a 0.75-mile pathway, and Wiggly Field occupies its south end. Two of Monroe's greenest dog spaces carry a winter flood note from the city, and both are tied to the Skykomish.
Maintenance can close Wiggly Field even in dry weather. The city closed it on Tuesday, October 20, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for maintenance work, and pointed owners to the covered alternative.
Where the Off-Leash Hour Goes Instead
The Evergreen State Fair Park is partnering with the City of Monroe again this year on a seasonal off-leash park inside Judging Arena #606. It opened October 5, 2026, and runs through February 28, 2027, dawn to dusk, with dates subject to change.
Getting there takes one more step than parking at a park. Enter from Cascade View Drive off U.S. 2, park in the yellow lot, and walk your dog on leash to the arena across from the Event Center. The arena has a roof, but the walk from the car does not, so a towel left in the car still gets used.
The city's announcement lists the arena rules, and a few of them change who can come and what you need to bring:
- Vaccinations must be current, and sick dogs are not allowed.
- No puppies under six months and no dogs in heat.
- Owners stay in the off-leash area the whole time and keep voice control of their dogs.
- Bring your own water, and don't share bowls, to keep illness from spreading.
- Leashes outside the off-leash area can be no longer than eight feet.
- "Dusk" means 20 minutes after sunset.
The last rule matters more as the season goes on. Late-afternoon visits get shorter every week until the solstice, so a December after-work visit has a much tighter window than an October one.
The Calendar Has Gaps, and They Aren't About Weather
The arena's closures follow holidays and fairgrounds dates. The city lists these closures for the season:
- November 11 for Veterans Day
- November 20 through 22
- November 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving
- December 3 through 6
- Christmas Day, which the city's list prints as December 25, 2025, so confirm it with the city
- January 1 for New Year's Day
- January 18 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- February 18 for Presidents Day
Two of these closures cover whole weekends, in late November and early December. On those days the arena is closed, Wiggly Field has no small-dog mesh, and Al Borlin may be flooded. Owners who count on a weekly off-leash run can mark those dates now and plan the week around them. The city notes that dates can change, so the announcement is worth checking before a holiday trip. The season ends after February 28, 2027.
This Saturday, the Fairgrounds Gets Crowded
The arena isn't the only dog-related reason to drive to the fairgrounds this week. Church of Pug's PUGAWEEN 2026 is Saturday, October 24, starting at 11 a.m. at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. The event listing on Choose Monroe gives 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., calls the event Pugoween & Frenchie Fright Fest, and lists a space theme with a Doggy Spaceship Contest, a pumpkin carving contest for pre-carved pumpkins, costumes, vendors and treats. It says pugs, Frenchies and "all friendly dogs" are welcome.
The same weekend, the Evergreen Fall Home Show runs October 23 through 25 in the Event Center, the building across from the dog park arena. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Parking is free. Cash admission is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors 62 and older, children 16 and under get in free, and the first 3,000 online ticket downloads are complimentary. With two events and a dog park sharing one set of grounds on Saturday, an arena visit before mid-morning or late in the afternoon is likely to be the calmer one.
On-Leash Miles That Hold Up in the Rain
On days the arena is closed, or for dogs that need a long walk more than a run, Monroe's paved loop is at Lake Tye.
| Spot | What's there | Winter caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Tye Park | 1.63-mile cement loop linking to other trail segments, parking for about 200 vehicles | Dogs on leash; no dogs in the lake |
| Skykomish River Park | 0.75-mile pathway, Wiggly Field at the south end | Wiggly Field at its south end floods roughly October through April, and its small-dog mesh is off |
| Al Borlin Park | 1.2 miles of soft gravel trail through 90 wooded acres | City says it may close in winter for flooding |
| Winter Dog Park, Judging Arena #606 | Covered off-leash area | Closed on listed dates; open dawn to 20 minutes after sunset |
Lake Tye Park is the one walk on this list without a flood note from the city. The loop is cement, the parking lot is large, and the trail connects to other community segments, so you can make the walk longer without stepping into mud. The city's park rules apply here as they do everywhere except the off-leash area. Dogs stay leashed and under control and stay out of lakes, streams, playgrounds and athletic fields, and owners pick up after them. According to the city's Monroe Monthly newsletter, Lake Tye is also where the Board and Blade Skate Park is getting a volunteer mural of local wildlife by local artist Charley Wells over the coming weeks, weather permitting, which gives a regular loop walk something new to check on.
Around the Edges of the Routine
For days when nobody has time for a long walk, Monroe has a few dog services. Camp Bow Wow Monroe at 16642 146th St SE offers daycare, boarding and grooming, and its site says it is accepting new campers. Myownly Boarding Kennel at 11517 227th Ave SE offers daycare and grooming along with boarding. A few doors from Camp Bow Wow, Dreadnought Brewing at 16726 146th St SE #153 shows a customer review on its own site describing its patio as dog-friendly. A quick call before bringing a dog in the rainy season is a good idea.
If you drive east on U.S. 2 on the way to any of these, expect WSDOT delays. The city's Monroe Monthly newsletter said eastbound delays were expected beginning October 5 and continuing through February 2027 while crews build a roundabout at U.S. 2 and Old Owen Road in Sultan. More pedestrian and roadway work on the Monroe stretch is expected next spring. The Winter Dog Park's last day falls in that same month, February 2027, and Wiggly Field gets its mesh back after the flood season ends in April.
At Pacesetter Properties Team, we spend a lot of time on land shaped by the Skykomish, and the same floodplain logic that moves Monroe's dogs indoors each fall comes up on acreage and horse properties too. If you'd like to talk about how the river affects a particular piece of Monroe ground, or just want to compare notes on your winter dog routine, we'd be glad to hear from you on our Monroe page or by contacting us.
