Mary Warner Mack Dog Park

Let’s Talk About Algae at Lake Frances
We’ve received a few questions about algae at Lake Frances, so we wanted to provide some helpful info and peace of mind!

What you may be seeing on the surface of the water right now is normal pond algae—and it’s actually an important part of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. This type of algae helps feed fish and oxygenate the water.

✅ What it is NOT: Blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria).
Our Natural Resources team conducts regular inspections of all water bodies on the Greenway and has found no trace of blue-green algae in Lake Frances as of July 10, 2025.

🌊 What to know about Blue-Green Algae:
Despite its name, blue-green algae isn’t really algae at all—it’s a type of bacteria that can produce toxins under certain conditions. It looks very different from typical pond algae: think bright teal, paint-like scum or “alien goop” floating on the water’s surface. If you don’t see that, it’s not blue-green algae.

💡 Our team has been proactively pre-treating Lake Frances to help prevent harmful algae blooms (HABs), and those efforts have been successful so far this season. While HABs can happen suddenly (even from something as simple as a bird transferring spores from an infected lake), we are monitoring closely and ready to respond.

As always, thank you for being such attentive and caring members of the Mary Warner Mack Dog Park community. Your pups' health and safety remain a top priority!

If you have questions or see something concerning, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Guest Services team at 803.547.4575 or [email protected].

—The Greenway Team

Hello Dog Park Members!

This Saturday, November 2, is the Springmaid Trail Race, a classic, fall trail race dedicated to the Mary Warner Mack Dog Park. While the race is held at the Lake Haigler entrance, during the event hours, the Mary Warner Mack Dog Park will also be hosting an Open House (9am-12pm), giving visitors and their pups a chance to explore the Dog Park before committing to a membership. All Dog Park rules will be enforced throughout the Open House, and visitors will be required to show proof of vaccinations before entering.

Please plan your weekend trip accordingly and help us give a warm welcome to those interested in this special Dog Park.

Hello Dog Park members! As of this afternoon, access to Lake Frances has been closed due to the presence of blue green algae. A small amount was found today, and it is considered to be a mild version. It is being treated, but out of an abundance of caution, the access to Lake Frances will remain closed at this time. We will advise once the access to the lake has been opened. Thank you for your understanding!

Reminder: This Saturday between 8am and 3pm, the Adventure Road entrance to the Anne Springs Close Greenway will be very congested due to Blue Star Blitz. Please plan accordingly.

As a local leader in conservation, environmental education and outdoor recreation, we hope you will consider kicking off the season of giving with us. Give today to further our mission for the wildlife, the native plants and the love of happy pups in the dog park!
https://www.ascgreenway.org/give-today/

Mary Warner Mack Dog Park welcomes member pups of all sizes! Inquire about our wait list for adding a dog park membership onto your Greenway membership.
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Greetings Dog Park Members! We are very excited for the Mary Warner Mack Dog Park open house on Nov. 5. Dog park members are welcome to come make a donation and get a dog wash, but please keep in mind the dog park will have extra furry friends visiting that day between 9am and noon.

Sit, stay, and PLAY at our Tails & Ales Dog Wash & Dog Park Open House! Wash supplies and giveaways are provided by our friends at The Inn and Spa at Baxter Vet, and 'ales' coupons provided by The Print Shop by Amor Artis.
https://www.ascgreenway.org/event/tails-ales-dog-wash-dog-park-open-house/

Please be aware that access to Lake Frances will be closed from 2pm today (7/25) until 2pm Wednesday (7/27) for preventative maintenance.

The Greenway will host the annual Blue Star Blitz at the Adventure Road entrance from 8:30am-3:00pm this Saturday, April 2. While this event does not directly affect the Dog Park, traffic and parking will be heavy at this entrance.

The dog park will open at 2pm today. The off-leash trails will remain closed and be re-evaluated in the morning.