Local scoop
Room to roam means more to scoop
Washington Township has room to breathe. It covers about 36 square miles at roughly a third of Shelby Township's density, and township leaders are working to keep its rural character. If your dog has room to roam, that's more ground to cover with a bag.
Let us cover it. We scoop ZIP codes 48094 and 48095, plus the township's slice of Romeo's 48065.
Where Washington dogs roam
Stony Creek Metropark reaches into Washington Township, and dogs are welcome there on a 6-foot leash. Keep them off nature trails and beaches and out of buildings, and follow the posted signs. For off-leash play, the park's Oakgrove Picnic Area has the Metroparks' first off-leash dog area.
The Macomb Orchard Trail, a paved 24-mile path on an old railroad line, passes orchards and farms through the township, with the same 6-foot leash rule. Closer to home, Washington Community Park on Van Dyke and Gilcher-Crissman Park on 29 Mile both have walking trails. The township's parks ordinance requires a leash of six feet or less and says to pick up before you leave.
Stony Creek Metropark
Leashed dogs welcome
Dogs on a 6-foot leash, but not on nature trails, beaches or in buildings; the off-leash dog area is in the Oakgrove Picnic Area. Metroparks pass required.
Macomb Orchard Trail
Leashed dogs welcome
Paved and 24 miles long, on a former rail line lined with orchards and farms. Walk, run, bike or ski it; pets on a 6-foot leash.
Washington Community Park
Leashed dogs welcome
57900 Van Dyke, with a walking trail, playground, courts, soccer fields and an amphitheater pavilion.
Gilcher-Crissman Park
Leashed dogs welcome
6859 29 Mile Road, with a walking trail, ball and soccer fields and a fenced playground.
Big lots welcome
Washington Township is about a third as densely settled as Shelby Township, and about 81% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, per Census estimates.
If your lot is on the bigger side, just say so when you price it. Yards up to an acre with up to four dogs get a price online in about 30 seconds; bigger properties or packs get a custom quote. A lone dog on a big lot may only need us every other week, while a pack of three will want us weekly or more. Add deodorize and sanitize for a favorite potty spot.
Where Stony Creek and the Middle Branch start their trip
Some of this area's water starts its trip to Lake St. Clair right here. Stony Creek runs through the township to Stony Creek Lake and on to the Clinton River, and the Middle Branch of the Clinton River begins in Washington Township.
The township's stormwater guidance says pet waste carries bacteria that are harmful to people and water. Left on a lawn or sidewalk, it washes into storm drains and ditches, then into lakes and streams. The advice: pick it up promptly, in the yard or on a walk. A scooping plan makes that automatic.
The local rule: In township parks, keep a leash of 6 feet or less and remove your dog's poop before you leave. (Washington Township Neighborhood Parks Ordinance, Sec. 91.008)
