Virginia’s capital city, Richmond, has lots of ways to include your four-legged friend in your day-to-day activities. Keep in mind that the city requires all pets to be leashed. Richmond has quite a list of restaurants, breweries, and cafés with pet-friendly patios, including Can Can Brasserie, the Boat House (both locations), Acacia, Strangeways Brewery, and Urban Market Farmhouse and Café, among others. Some patios are only open seasonally, so it’s best to call ahead and make sure. Several hotels permit companion animals, including the Jefferson, the Omni Richmond, and Red Roof Inn, which even offers a discount for bringing your pet. Amtrak now allows pets on its trains, as long as the dog or cat is in a carrier and the total weight of carrier and pet is less than 20 pounds. If you want to bring your pup along on a shopping spree, visit Stony Point Fashion Park. The pet-friendly stores have a dog icon displayed in the window. The Ashland and South of James farmers’ markets both allow pets. And of course, there’s nothing better than letting your dog socialize with canine friends while getting in a good romp. Dog parks are the only exception to the city’s leash law. There are several great Richmond dog parks; here is our list of the top five:
1. Barker Field
Located in Byrd Park, Barker Field was Richmond’s first official dog park when it opened in 1998. The park is run by Friends of Barker Field, a non-profit organization under the Enrichmond Foundation. Maintenance and repairs are entirely funded by grants and donations, and these services are provided by volunteers. The fenced park has separate small dog and large dog areas. The park is several acres in size and features a water fountain. Amenities for the humans include bench swings and picnic tables. The park provides clean-up bags and tennis balls. All breeds are permitted. It is arguably the most popular of the Richmond dog parks, so it can get quite crowded at times. It gets an estimated 600 to 700 visitors per weekend, according to Friends of Barker Field’s treasurer.
Park Drive and Pump House Drive
Richmond, VA 23221
2. Church Hill
Church Hill Dog Park is located at the city-operated Chimborazo Park and offers a stunning view of downtown. Church Hill has separate fenced sections for small and large breeds. Its standout features are its “cool-down stations,” kiddie pools where pups can play and drink. A hose is provided to rinse your dog if he gets dirty from vigorous play. Chimborazo Park is a historic site, housing the National Battlefield Park headquarters. It includes a playground and a community garden.
2900 E Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23223
3. Ruff House
Ruff House Dog Park is located in Rockwood Park, which is operated by Chesterfield County. It features two fenced kennel areas, watering locations, and bench seating for the two-legged visitors. The park is run and maintained jointly by the county and Friends of Ruff House Dog Park, a non-profit organization. FRHDP hosts events in the park, such as Santa Paws, Howl-A-Woof, and Birthday Bash. They also allow other organizations to use the park for dog-related events, including the Canine Carnival summer social, pet expos, and breed-specific happenings like Dane Day. Ruff House can be very busy depending on the season; Mark Pinney, Principal Recreation Specialist for Chesterfield County, estimates that there may be as many as 50 to 60 dogs in the park during the summer. There are no breed restrictions, but puppies under four months of age are not permitted in the park. Owners must bring bags for picking up and disposing of their dogs’ waste.
3401 Courthouse Road
Richmond, VA 23236
4. Northside
The Northside Dog Park operates as a joint effort between the City of Richmond and community volunteers known as Friends of Northside Dog Park. The park has two fenced areas, one of which is for small dogs and puppies. Picnic tables and benches are provided. Water is sometimes available in jugs, but it is best to bring your own just in case. You will need to bring your own waste disposal bags as well. There are no breed or age restrictions, but the city requires that dogs must be spayed or neutered in order to use the facility. The park has a Facebook page to arrange meet ups for doggie play dates.
609 Forest Lawn Drive
Richmond, VA 23226
5. Taylor
Just outside of Richmond in Ashland is Hanover County’s dog park, located in Taylor Park. A visit to this dog park is well worth the twenty-minute drive from downtown Richmond when you consider Taylor’s amenities. It’s the only park on our list featuring agility equipment, like ramps and hurdles. It also features a “time out” pen for overexcited pups that need a break from playtime. There’s plenty of room to run, but be aware that there’s not a separate section for smaller dogs. The six-foot fence ensures that all pooches stay safely inside the park’s boundaries. Water and waste disposal bags are provided.
12471 Taylor Complex Lane
Ashland, VA 23005
2 Point Highlight
Located in Byrd Park, Barker Field was Richmond’s first official dog park when it opened in 1998.
FRHDP hosts events in the park, such as Santa Paws, Howl-A-Woof, and Birthday Bash.
