Russell Commons Park

"Waste of public lands and funds. Safety concerns. This "dog park" may have nice equipment to exercise and train your dog, but you MUST pay a fee to use the facilities. Furthermore, the park does have a lot of debris and graffiti everywhere, which is unsightly and potentially hazardous. The lightning is sub-par and illuminates little-to-nothing. You're better off with a candle. The rules and stipulations to enter the park are extensive and overbearing. Including what tools you're allowed to even use on your own dog. I do not recommend this park."

"We just drove through the park to use the dog park. The park looks small, but it's a nice looking facility, with covered picnic tables and restrooms. The dog park is great, but requires an annual membership available at Alton city hall, Parks and Rec located on Fosterberg Rd, and the Alton marina. It's $25 per year and well worth it. We are just outside of city limits, so the annual fee is $35. Be sure to have your rabies vaccine certificate or tag, as well as proof of your dog's being spayed or neutered to present to them when you go in to apply. They give you a code with the membership to get in the gate. Be sure to read and follow all the rules. I took our Westie puppy Carli, and she had a ball running with another bigger dog Rocco who was in the large dog pen, so they had a fence between them, but that didn't stop them from having a blast! The area is somewhat isolated, but nicely kept, and it seems safe (We hope), with ample parking and a walking trail around the facility. Highway noise is high from everyone "hot-rodding" on Landmark Blvd and the Alton bridge, but not a big deal when your hot-rodding, playing and zooming with your furry companion. My downsides are, there are not enough trees for shade and rest inside the dog runs. There are a few benches, but on hot days it will be brutal. The runs are fairly clean and well kept, with plenty of space to run given the limited area for the park. My other gripe is that all the fun activity structures and features are mostly in the big dog area, just a couple in the medium area where we were, and absolutely nothing in the small dog area.....Not fair!!! The bid dog area also has a covered picnic table, and the others do not....Discrimination I say! There is a nice, big sallyport area when you get in the gate for safety, and so you can "stage" your dog before you go through the individual area's gates.....Great idea! We love the facility and will definitely be back for more zooming fun! There's nothing else like it in the Alton area!!!"

"Nice area. Pavillons, picnic tables, rest rooms and play ground all close together. Bike, jogging trail dog park. Never very crowded. No big rigs or alcohol allowed."

"There closing dam off do public cant get back there, so I parked on side of road and walked up levy by closed floodgate. Couldn't get a good pic of gate but its shut and water is maybe a couple feet up on it"

"I guess a weed eater wasn't in the budget this year. Cool park for kids but currently not being up kept very well."