Built by a dog owner,
for dog owners.
Dog Park Now was created out of a simple frustration — taking Peanut to the park and not knowing what we were walking into. Sometimes it was too quiet, sometimes it just wasn't the right mix of dogs for her. There had to be a better way.
Wayne & Peanut — the team behind Dog Park Now 🐾
Meet Wayne & Peanut
Wayne Brown spent 15 years in the insurance industry before making a decision that surprised everyone who knew him professionally — in December 2025, he quit to build a dog park app.
The inspiration was Peanut, his 5-year-old Jack Russell Terrier and self-appointed Chief Inspiration Officer. Every trip to the park was a gamble — sometimes too quiet, sometimes the wrong mix of dogs for her. The information just wasn't there. Wayne kept thinking: "Someone should build this." Eventually he realized that someone was him.
But Peanut wasn't the only reason. Wayne also wanted to show his son Luke something important — that sometimes you have to take a chance on yourself, have no regrets, and prove that anything is possible if you truly want it. Leaving a stable career wasn't just a business decision. It was a lesson.
What started as a personal need has grown into something bigger, shaped by the community, to help make dog parks more enjoyable, social, and predictable for everyone. Dog Park Now is built on a simple belief: dog owners deserve real information, in real time, from people who were just there. Not a static map. Not a city website last updated in 2019. A living, breathing community feed powered by the people who love these parks most.
We're starting in Halifax — a city with 50 mapped parks, an incredibly active dog community, and a municipal government open to innovation. But the vision is bigger: every city in Canada with off-leash parks deserves this.
In March 2026, Dog Park Now was accepted into Propel's Vision Program — one of Atlantic Canada's most respected startup accelerators. Starting in May 2026, Wayne will work through Propel's five-week cohort to sharpen the business model, connect with fellow founders, and receive personalized coaching from Propel's team. It's validation that this idea is bigger than a side project.
"Dog Park Now was created out of a simple frustration — taking Peanut to the park and not knowing what we were walking into. Sometimes it was too quiet, sometimes it just wasn't the right mix of dogs for her. I kept thinking there had to be a better way."
What We Stand For
Our values
Community First
Every feature we build starts with one question: does this make life better for Halifax dog owners? The community is the product.
Privacy by Design
Check-ins are anonymous. We never sell your data. We never will. Dog Park Now is PIPEDA compliant and proud of it.
Built to Grow
We're starting in Halifax and expanding to Atlantic Canada, then coast to coast. Every city with dog parks deserves this.
Open to Partnership
We're actively working with HRM to become the first municipality in Canada with real-time, community-powered park data.
The Journey
How we got here
Wayne leaves a 15-year insurance career to build Dog Park Now full-time. Peanut approves.
dogparknow.ca launches with an interactive map of all HRM off-leash parks.
First beta released — all parks mapped, community check-in system live, early access signups begin.
Website fully revamped with real park photos, app mockups, live conditions, and the Founding Pack Contest.
Dog Park Now accepted into Propel's Vision Program — one of Atlantic Canada's most competitive startup accelerators. 🏆
Propel Vision cohort begins. Five weeks of structured coaching, Lean Canvas, and founder mentorship.
Dog Park Now app launches on iOS and Android. 🎉
Come along for the walk.
Sign up for early access and be part of the community that launches Dog Park Now.