From the Fort “Woof” dog park to the newly opened ZBonz Dog Park, Fort Worth pet owners have multiple options for off-leash play around the city of Fort Worth and throughout the DFW metroplex.
Pet owners who are new to Forth Worth should know that in order to visit Fort Worth dog parks, all dogs must be properly licensed. Licenses are accepted from other cities. If you are currently a resident of a city that does not require a dog license, you must still obtain a license in order to visit a Fort Worth dog park. Licenses can be obtained from the City of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control or from a Fort Worth veterinarian. Dogs must be current on their rabies vaccinations. Owners/handlers must clean up after their dogs and deposit waste into a proper receptacle or face fines. For the safety of all dogs and dog owners, Fort Worth requires all dogs who are off leash to be within sight and sound control of owners/handlers at all times.
Ready for a doggone good time? These are five of the top spots for off-leash play in and around Fort Worth:
1. Fort Woof Dog Park at Gateway Park
751 Beach St, Fort Worth
Fort Worth’s first fenced, off-leash dog park is the place for active pups that like to romp, run, race, and socialize with other dogs. Fort Woof Dog Park includes two separate fenced areas for “large” dogs over 40 pounds and “small” dogs under 40 pounds. Each section includes picnic tables and benches for pet owners to relax on, a watering station for both dogs and cats, a steady supply of plastic bags for poop scooping, and multiple poop disposal-stations.
Fort Woof Dog Park hosts multiple dog-friendly events throughout the year, including the popular “Barktoberfest” in the fall and the “Dog Day in the Park Dog Fashion Show” in April. Fort Woof Dog Park is open the same hours as Gateway Park (5am to 11:30pm) and the park is fully lit at night. The late night hours and full light make Fort Woof a great option for energetic pups during the summer months when midday outdoor play could risk heat stroke.
The park is located a quarter of a mile past the main entrance to Gateway Park.
2. ZBonz Dog Park
5250 Old Bendbrook Rd, Fort Worth
Just west of downtown, this newly opened 10-acre dog park also features a venue for mobile adoptions and other pet-related services. The off-leash park is located on the rolling grounds of what was once the Z Boaz Golf Course. It’s been given new life with a host of amenities including picnic tables, pet-friendly shower stations (a big plus for cleaning up muddy dogs), shade structures, waste stations, jumps, barrels, and fountains. Like Fort Woof Dog Park, ZBonz Dog Park includes two separate fenced dog areas for larger dogs (over 40 pounds) and smaller dogs (under 40 pounds). Each of the areas includes a pond, agility course and grassy area.
The park also features a bronze sculpture by artist Lori Scott called “Who Rescued Who”. The sculpture is dedicated to William V. “Bill” Boecker, the president and CEO of Sundance Square’s development company, Fine Line Diversified Development, who was instrumental in raising the necessary funds for the ZBonz Dog Park conversion. A major feature of the new dog park is the adoption center, which is designed to help lower Fort Worth’s high euthanasia rate by giving shelter animals a better chance at adoption. (In 2008, Fort Worth euthanized about 70 percent of the animals that entered the city shelter.)
ZBonz dog park is the second off-leash, fenced dog park officially within Fort Worth city limits.
3. Tails N’ Trails Dog Park
950 SE Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX
For pet owners who live southeast of Fort Worth, the Tails n’ Trails Dog Park in Arlington is worth a visit. Tails N’ Trails dog park includes two separate areas for big dog and little dogs, plenty of shade, a large grassy area, and a wooded area with trails. The five acre park is well maintained and very clean. Pet owners can take their dogs along walking nature trails (on leash) when not playing off leash in the fenced areas. The park is open from 5am to 10pm.
4. Tipps Canine Hollow Dog Park
7804 Davis Blvd, North Richland Hills
Located northeast of downtown Fort Worth, the Tipps Canine Hollow Dog Park is a popular dog park for residents in North Richland Hills, Colleyville, Bedford, and Keller. The dog park features a two-acre fenced area for larger dogs and a one-acre fenced region for smaller dogs. The park includes open spaces for running or playing fetch, multiple water stations, shady areas to cool off and beat the heat, and multiple dog waste disposal stations. The park is open from 8am to dusk daily, with a closure from 8am to 11am on Wednesday mornings for maintenance.
5. Paradise Dog Park
1195 NW John Jones Dr., Burleson
For pet owners who are not entirely comfortable letting their pets off-leash at a public dog park, Paradise Dog Park in Burleson TX may be just what they (and their pooches) need. This private park is part of the Pet Paradise Pet Resort and Spa. Pets can run free in the large fenced dog park without fear of encountering another territorial or aggressive dog off-leash.
2 Point Highlight
1- Fort Woof Dog Park hosts multiple dog-friendly events throughout the year, including the popular “Barktoberfest” in the fall and the “Dog Day in the Park Dog Fashion Show” in April.
2- Just west of downtown, the newly opened 10-acre ZBonz Dog Park also features a venue for mobile adoptions and other pet-related services, in addition to a pond, agility course and grassy area.
