Designed for Dogs: 5 Fantastic Dog Parks Across the U.S.
Let your favorite pooch run wild at one of these specially designed public spaces. Not close by? Learn how to start a dog park yourself
It doesn't take a lot to make dogs happy — a full belly, a warm bed, lots of love and plenty of room for play are all they need. For those living in crowded cities, dog parks have become the solution to that third requirement.
"Even in rural areas where there are acres and acres of open woods and off-leash permitted, there are dog parks," says Christian Lau, author of The Dog Lover's Companion to New England. "Dog parks are a safe, generally tick-free place for dogs that are cheap to build and create a sense of community and safety in the area."
Take a look at five fantastic dog parks and how to get one started in your area.
More: 8 Backyard Ideas to Delight Your Dog
"Even in rural areas where there are acres and acres of open woods and off-leash permitted, there are dog parks," says Christian Lau, author of The Dog Lover's Companion to New England. "Dog parks are a safe, generally tick-free place for dogs that are cheap to build and create a sense of community and safety in the area."
Take a look at five fantastic dog parks and how to get one started in your area.
More: 8 Backyard Ideas to Delight Your Dog
It offers picnic tables, benches and shade for people, and watering stations with buckets and hoses near trees where pooped-out pups can rest in the shade.
More info: Fort Woof
More info: Fort Woof
Besides the beautiful views, Point Isabel has two big draws for dogs and their owners. Mudpuppy's Tub and Scrub, a dog washing and retail store, offers full-service and DIY dog baths, toys, treats and supplies for man's best friend. The Sit & Stay Café next door makes sure you get all the treats you need, too.
More info: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
More info: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
3. Pilgrim Bark Park, Provincetown, Massachusetts
Although relatively small for a dog park — 1 acre — Pilgrim Bark Park has plenty to keep your pup occupied. Like Fort Woof, it's divided into two sections for smaller and larger dogs. The off-leash park was designed to reflect the town's appreciation for the arts. Local artists have designed and painted benches, kiosks, signage and other features — including this dog-friendly version of the pilgrims' Mayflower.
More info: Pilgrim Bark Park
Although relatively small for a dog park — 1 acre — Pilgrim Bark Park has plenty to keep your pup occupied. Like Fort Woof, it's divided into two sections for smaller and larger dogs. The off-leash park was designed to reflect the town's appreciation for the arts. Local artists have designed and painted benches, kiosks, signage and other features — including this dog-friendly version of the pilgrims' Mayflower.
More info: Pilgrim Bark Park
4. Bow Wow Beach, Stow, Ohio
Four acres of grassy knolls and forest are just a prelude to Bow Wow Beach's main attraction — a 3-acre lake, complete with sandy beaches and a dog-dock jumping area. This dog park is a summertime staple in Stow, Ohio. But don't worry, you won't have to take a muddy dog home with you after every visit — dog washing areas around the park let you scrub Fido up for the ride home.
More info: Bow Wow Beach
Four acres of grassy knolls and forest are just a prelude to Bow Wow Beach's main attraction — a 3-acre lake, complete with sandy beaches and a dog-dock jumping area. This dog park is a summertime staple in Stow, Ohio. But don't worry, you won't have to take a muddy dog home with you after every visit — dog washing areas around the park let you scrub Fido up for the ride home.
More info: Bow Wow Beach
5. Freedom Bark Park, Lowell, Indiana
Ecofriendly dog park Freedom Bark Park has 5 acres of landscape devoted to off-leash dog play. Solar-powered water pumps provide your puppy with water, recycled rubber mulch walkways lead owners throughout the park, and biodegradable bags help with cleanup. The grassy areas separate large and small dogs — each has its own shaded area for owners and dogs, drinking water, tunnels, trees and a special digging area.
Ecofriendly dog park Freedom Bark Park has 5 acres of landscape devoted to off-leash dog play. Solar-powered water pumps provide your puppy with water, recycled rubber mulch walkways lead owners throughout the park, and biodegradable bags help with cleanup. The grassy areas separate large and small dogs — each has its own shaded area for owners and dogs, drinking water, tunnels, trees and a special digging area.
This award-winning dog park is the result of 2,700 hours of service that local volunteers donated to build it, from the farmers who tilled the land to the teacher who painted the fire hydrants. Every tree, plant, tunnel and seating area also was donated by community members.
More info: Freedom Bark Park
More info: Freedom Bark Park
Thinking of starting a dog park in your hometown? Here's how to make it happen.
Get support. Find a core group of people who can commit to the cause. Hold a public meeting and gather support. Encourage your neighbors and community members to write letters and make calls to city leaders.
Decide what the park will include. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers' list of what's needed for a great dog park includes:
Find the land. Finding space in cities and towns tends to be the biggest hurdle for dog park activists. "Most towns and cities and the people there think a dog park is a great idea, and are willing to provide the land for it," says Lau. "The problem is where to find that space. Nobody wants it near their house, business, school or sports field." Since land is scarce, many dog parks are added to an existing park or become part of a larger plan for a multipurpose park.
More: 8 Backyard Ideas to Delight Your Dog
Get support. Find a core group of people who can commit to the cause. Hold a public meeting and gather support. Encourage your neighbors and community members to write letters and make calls to city leaders.
Decide what the park will include. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers' list of what's needed for a great dog park includes:
- Materials for cleaning up after dogs
- Drinking water and shade
- Enough space to avoid crowding
- Separate areas for small and large dogs
- A two-gate system so dogs can't escape
- More than one entrance and exit — dogs quickly learn where newcomers enter, and congregate there.
- Agility equipment, natural visual barriers and other interactive features
Find the land. Finding space in cities and towns tends to be the biggest hurdle for dog park activists. "Most towns and cities and the people there think a dog park is a great idea, and are willing to provide the land for it," says Lau. "The problem is where to find that space. Nobody wants it near their house, business, school or sports field." Since land is scarce, many dog parks are added to an existing park or become part of a larger plan for a multipurpose park.
More: 8 Backyard Ideas to Delight Your Dog
Fort Woof, inside Forth Worth's Gateway Park, was the city's first off-leash dog park. It has separate fenced areas for smaller dogs and larger dogs, with appropriately sized training equipment, ramps, hoops and tunnels.