Off the Bench: Ruff ‘n’ Roll

Posted on by Christy Edwards
entrance to riverbend park with pop up tents in the background

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) is constantly looking for new ways to bring community members together, but a new program proves that neighbors have four legs, too! Ruff ‘n’ Roll is designed to turn a standard trip to the dog park into a shared creative experience for pets and their human companions.

Program Leader Kiley Pritchard, the creative force behind the program, noticed a recurring theme while traveling through the city with the department’s Rec ‘n’ Roll mobile recreation van.

“One of my favorite parts of working with Rec ‘n’ Roll in public parks is getting to meet dogs and their companions,” Kiley says. “We always keep dog treats in the van, so we’re ready to say hi, learn the dogs’ names, and just have those quick interactions. Over time, we even start to recognize some of the same pups and their owners.”

young person tying bandana on dogWhat to Expect at Ruff ‘n’ Roll

Those brief, joyful moments sparked the idea for a dedicated program. While Asheville has no shortage of dog-friendly spaces, Kiley wanted to create something more intentional: a space where owners aren’t just watching their dogs play from the sidelines, but are actively engaging with them.

“One thing people might find surprising is that Ruff ‘n’ Roll is designed just as much for owners as it is for their dogs,” she notes. “While the focus is on the pups, it’s really about creating shared experiences between pets and their people, which isn’t always part of a typical dog park visit.”

The program is intentionally relaxed. Set up just outside the gates of the temporary dog park in Riverbend Park, the events are designed for community members to stop by as they come and go. The goals are simple: fun and memory-making. Participants can expect interactive activities like paw print stamping and “painting with your pup,” ensuring that everyone leaves with a physical souvenir of their day.

To sweeten the deal, the events feature The Hop’s Happy Tails Doggie Ice Cream and plenty of APR giveaways including dog bandanas, clip-on poop bag dispensers, and collapsible water bowls.

For Kiley, the most rewarding part of the process has been watching the curriculum come to life. As a dog lover herself, she feels a natural connection to the mission. “I’m most excited to see those real interactions firsthand,” she says. “Just watching happy pups engage with their owners and seeing those moments turn into something memorable.”

Details for Ruff ‘n’ Roll

dog looking at a frisbeeVisit Asheville’s Temporary Dog Parks

While the City of Asheville works to rebuild spaces severely damaged by Tropical Storm Helene’s floodwaters, safe, off-leash, fenced-in temporary dog parks are open at these locations:

  • Aston Park on 300 Hilliard Ave. near the gazebo
  • Riverbend Park on 100 Bleachery Blvd. across the parking lot from Walmart Supercenter

Asheville Pettiquette

  • Leash Rule: Unless you are within the fenced area at a dog park, the City of Asheville requires all pet owners to keep dogs on a leash at all times whenever they are on public property or property other than their own.
  • City License: Additionally, the City of Asheville requires all dogs six months and older to have a city license. This license is $10 and is to be renewed annually. The fee for not having your dog licensed in Asheville starts at $50. Both an updated rabies tag and the city license must be displayed on your dog at all times.
  • Prevent Poo-llution: Scoop grande grumpies and petite piles of poo poo if you experience a doggie dump.
  • For More: Visit the City of Asheville’s Animal Services online hub.

Check Out All APR Programs

Ruff ‘n’ Roll is just one of hundreds of programs, activities, and special events taking place in Asheville parks and community centers each week! Programs fill up fast and many require advance registration, so it’s worth spending some time planning which activities and events to attend. Use these resources to discover additional opportunities:

Off the Bench is an Asheville Parks & Recreation series highlighting fresh recreation programs wellness-, education-, and culture-related recreation programs for community members of all ages. Driven by the promise that Asheville is a better and safer place when everyone from infants to retirees has the opportunity to be supported, healthy, and successful, talented program leaders continually introduce new opportunities for Ashevillians to explore, connect, and discover.