Downtown Milwaukee’s Dog Park continues to grow as a vibrant destination for residents, visitors, and their four-legged friends, welcoming nearly 20,000 visitors since opening in August 2025.
Just in time for summer, we are thrilled to welcome Happy Dog, a larger-than-life corten steel sculpture by artist Dale Rogers. Standing more than six feet tall and stretching eight feet long, the playful artwork now greets visitors at the corner of Clybourn Street and Plankinton Avenue in a landscape bed, adding another memorable moment of surprise and delight to Downtown Milwaukee’s first dog park.
The installation of Happy Dog is another enhancement designed to enhance the visitor experience and celebrate the joy that dogs bring to our community. Happy Dog is accompanied by a new seven-foot-long Dachshund-inspired bench and the American Dog sculpture installed in the center planter. Both of these pieces were also created by Dale Rogers and sourced from the Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Door County.
Since opening, the dog park has become an award-winning public space and a gathering place for dog owners, Downtown residents, and visitors alike. These new additions further strengthen the park’s role as a unique community asset along the Milwaukee River, under I-794.
Visitors are encouraged to take photos of the sculpture and capture memories of their pups enjoying the park. Please help preserve the artwork by not climbing on the sculptures.
Interested in supporting the ongoing programming, future improvements, and maintenance at the dog park? Donation and sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more at www.mkedogpark.com.