One of Shreveport’s newest high-end apartment complexes is taking advantage of the outdoors year round with their newest amenity – a private dog park.

The Boulders on Fern Apartments, owned by Vintage Realty, recently announced to the public the opening of their dog park for resident use.

The complex, completed in April of 2014, included a piece of undeveloped land situated between apartment buildings.

Ashley Cooper, property manager at The Boulders, said she expressed interest in having a dog park, as did her colleagues.

“Once we got close to completion, it was mentioned,” Cooper said. “There was an empty space and we all wanted to do something different that nobody else had. It just made sense.”

One of the featured amenities of the dog park is the double-gate. Cooper said it’s not only for the safety of pets, but of their humans.

“Even at daycares, usually you have to open up two gates to get in,” she said. “It makes it a little more safer if your dog is loose and someone else is bringing their dog in.”

The double-gated park, located near the community lake, features a large grassy area and a dog washing station with running water. Cooper said the double-gate is for added security.

“While you’re washing your dog, their feet don’t have to be in the mud,” Cooper said. “The hose is movable, which is convenient when you have big dogs in a small apartment – you don’t want to make a big mess.”

The park also includes a pet station with doggie waste bags, plenty of shady trees, a picnic table for dog owners, and even a bright red toy fire hydrant for the residents’ furry friends.

“It gives it a bit more ... character,” Cooper said, laughing.

All Vintage Realty communities are pet-friendly. Based on the success of the dog park at The Boulders, other Vintage communities are considering adding this special feature for their residents as well.

Cooper said within the first few weeks she began to notice residents using the dog park.

“They’re definitely taking advantage of it,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of our residents out there. Me, being a pet owner myself, I live on 400 acres myself – I know how important it is to have a place to run around.”

Cooper said nearly 50 percent of The Boulders’ tenants are dog or pet owners.

“I love it. It’s really important to me because my dog loves to run so she gets the exercise she needs in a safe environment,” Stacee Alario, a resident of The Boulders, said. “Plus, she loves other dogs so it’s nice to give her that canine companionship without the extra expense and inconvenience of doggie daycare.”

For more information on The Boulders on Fern, go to www.bouldersonfern.com or call 841-8341.”

–Derick Jones

Get to Know Vintage Realty Company:

The Boulderson Fern,which opened in April2014,was developed and is managed by Vintage Realty Company. Vintage is a privately owned, full-service commercial real estate provider, specializing in the leasing, management, development and brokerage of office, medical office, industrial, multi-family and retail properties. Info:www.vintagerealty.comor222-2244.