Nashville loves dogs, and the dog parks throughout the city reflect that. All of the public dog parks are off-leash parks and expansive. These aren’t those dog “parks” with chain-link fences and barely enough space to half-heartedly toss a ball. These are wide-open spaces, with plenty of room for Fido to run like he was born to.
Nashville dog parks are connected to public parks, which are beautifully maintained and often enormous. Public areas and community centers are extremely important to city officials and residents alike.
So, once you move to town, grab your pup’s favorite toys, leave the leash in the car, and get ready to frolic with your best friend like you never have before.
1. Shelby Park Dog Park
Shelby Park is located in the hip neighborhood to the east of Downtown known as East Nashville. The park includes over 336 acres of land, softball fields, playgrounds, Sevier Lake (good for fishing), golf courses, a community center, and the Shelby Bottoms Greenway, a five mile paved walking and biking trail.
In the midst of all this sits Shelby Dog Park, an expansive field of grass, with shaded trees and open areas. There is a paved path if you want to take a walk while your buddy plays with other four-legged friends. There’s also a water fountain just for pups, and a covered area with plenty of seating for the bipeds.
2. Two Rivers Dog Park
Just across the Cumberland River from Shelby sits Two Rivers Park. You can actually get here from the Shelby Bottoms Greenway via a pedestrian bridge. Two Rivers Dog Park is located in the Donelson area of Nashville, offering dog owners a spot for their fur-babies to stretch their legs and run themselves tired.
The dog park offers a covered pavilion and benches throughout the expansive 7-acre grassy field. Like in Shelby, there is a paved loop in this park, as well, so you can stretch your legs while your furry friend is doing the same. This is a bigger park, though, so you can really get some exercise around the loop. There are stones to sit on and water at doggy-level. There’s even a small wooded area in the back, if that’s what your buddy is into.
Two Rivers is a 374 acre park, home to more recreation activities than any other park in Nashville. This is a great spot if you have a big group with diverse interests. In addition to the dog park, there is a golf course, a skate park, the 8-mile Stones River Greenway, and Wave Country, a wave-action swimming pool.
3. Centennial Dog Park
This park tends to be a bit more crowded, because it’s near Vanderbilt University in a neighborhood known as West End. It’s an urban park, and home to the city’s full-scale replica of The Parthenon. That’s right. The “Athens of the South” has its own Parthenon, functioning as an art museum. There is also a one-mile walking trail at this park, as well as the Centennial Art Center, a sunken garden, sand volleyball courts, steam locomotive and fighter plane exhibits, a playground, bandshell, and park-wide free wireless internet.
The dog park itself offers a big space for dogs over 25 pounds, and a smaller section for dogs under 25 pounds, so if you’re worried about your little one, this could be the spot for you. There is plenty of seating here, and many trees for shade. While there used to be a ban on pit bulls at this park, that has since been corrected. There is a mud pit at this dog park, which could be good news or bad news, depending on how dirty you (and your pup) are willing to get.
Centennial Park is also home to the popular Musicians Corner, a free outdoor concert series that takes place on Saturdays from noon – 5:00 p.m. in May, June, September, and October. Featured artists include emerging musicians from Nashville, as well as legends like Emmylou Harris, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Vince Gill, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. At each concert, your dog will find a home at Dogville, an activity center just for him, where he can get a treat, a bandana, go for a swim, and get his nails trimmed.
4. Warner Dog Park
Warner Dog Park is located in Edwin Warner Park, which is right next to Percy Warner Park. They’re often thought of as one massive park and span 2,684 acres of forest and field together. Make sure to drive your four-legged friend through some of the scenic roadways and stop at the overlooks before heading to the dog park. There are also hiking trails, an equestrian center and horse trails (probably not great for the furry one), cross country running courses, and golf courses. Warner Parks, as they’re collectively called, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The dog park is a wide, flat open space, so it’s easy to see your dog from any vantage point. It’s also a great way for your pup to let loose and run wild. There is a doggy water fountain, and plenty of balls around if Rover’s feeling frisky. There isn’t a ton of shade at this park, so it’s best to go in the early morning during the hot summer months.
5. William A. Pitts Dog Park
This is Nashville’s newest dog park. Pitts Dog Park is 2 acres of fenced open area and a 4 acre nature trail that loops around the park. Dog owners, dogs, and kids are all big fans of this trail. The dog park also features a plaza, the staple doggy water fountain, and seats for the human animals.
Unlike the other parks in this list, Pitts Park itself isn’t that much of an attraction. It is well-cared for and beautiful, but it’s not as stellar as some of the other parks mentioned here. The dog park is the star of this one, and it really shines.
2 Point Highlight
Nashville loves dogs, and the dog parks throughout the city reflect that.
Once you move to town, grab your pup’s favorite toys, leave the leash in the car, and get ready to frolic with your best friend like you never have before.
