Citydogs Opening Complete Canine Complex in Crossroads

By Kevin Collison

Downtown dog owners will have a new place to board, pamper and play with their pooches when Citydogs opens Aug. 23 at a spacious indoor/outdoor complex at 20th and Walnut streets in the Crossroads.

“We decided to open in the Crossroads mostly to meet the needs of all the residents living there,” said owner Erin Dean. “There’s no green space and we want to give urban residents a place for their dogs.”

Citydogs plans to introduce itself to the neighborhood, both human and canine residents, this First Friday. There will be music by Marshall Holles, food from The Waffler and Ragusa’s, and drinks from Touring Taps.

A special “Barks and Brunch” event is planned for Aug. 28 featuring Bloody Mary’s supplied by a food truck.

Citydogs temporary location at 2001 Walnut features 8,000 square feet of outdoor dog park space.

The new space at 2001 Walnut will offer dog lodging and grooming opportunities as well as a place for owners to play with their pets. There will be boarding room for up to 50 dogs.

It has 8,000 square feet of indoor and 8,000 square feet of outdoor dog park space, enough to accommodate up to 120 dogs.

“When it’s cold and rainy, it’s an indoor place to bring your dog,” Dean said.

The new facility will be a temporary operation for up to 12 months while a permanent location is completed across 20th Street.

Ultimately, the building is expected to be demolished to make way for the Freight House Village project being pursued by developer Vince Bryant.

“We wanted to do the pop-up because we saw a need that we could offer and would make people happy,” Dean said.

The Citydogs location is across the street from the newly-completed City Club Apartments and within a couple blocks of the ARTerra, REVERB and Artistry KC apartment developments totaling almost 900 units.

Dean has 15 years of experience taking care of dogs. She is the owner of Sydney’s Pet Spa in Leawood and Wichita. Her general manager at Citydogs is Kelsie Boren.

Citydogs ultimately plans to track down permanent space across 20th street.

Memberships to the dog park will be $5 for a day pass, $3 for each additional animal; $35 for a monthly membership, and $150 for an annual membership.

The dog park is expected to operate Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Basic lodging costs are $55 per day for the Platinum level and $40 for Gold. Daycare will be $35 for a full day and $20 for a half. More information about services and costs can be found here.

Citydogs adds to a growing number of facilities geared toward downtown dogs including Bar K on the riverfront, and public dog parks at West Terrace Park and Seventh and Walnut streets.