Even dogs like to get out with their friends for a little fun. Living in Dallas, you’ll find plenty of places to take Fido and Fifi to exercise and socialize. There are dog-friendly restaurant patios, and dogs are welcome on leash at most parks and outdoor festivals. Be sure to carry your own “pick up bags” and to always be a good neighbor, however. But the off-leash dog parks operated free of charge by Dallas Parks and Recreation Department add a whole new dimension to the pampered pet scene.
Here are 5 of the best:
NorthBark Dog Park: Located in a residential area of far North Dallas, near the Dallas North Tollway and President George Bush Freeway, this is one of the newest parks, and perhaps the most lavish. It features more than 22Â acres of lawn and trails, along with a doggie beach and pond. There is a separate small dog area, so that your miniature won’t be afraid of “the big guys,” and there are dog drinking bowls as well as a canine shower.
A large shade pavilion offers relief from hot Texas sun, and there are also picnic tables and a grilling area if you want to bring the family and make a day of it. The dog park is completely fenced, and there are portable toilets on the grounds, along with plenty of parking. The park is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance, and also closes on rainy days.
Wagging Tail: Also in North Dallas, this is a showcase park designed by the city of Dallas to be a local attraction for human residents as well as a beautiful “pocket park” for the pooches. Situated on 6.9 acres of land that can be a bit difficult to find, Wagging Tail nestles into the landscape near Preston Road and Keller Springs, not far from Prestonwood Country Club. It overlooks a meandering portion of White Rock Creek that flows southward into White Rock Lake, and the city also constructed a flagstone deck that offers great views of a waterfall 35 feet below.
The dog park itself is pretty special too, with individually-fenced large dog and small dog compounds, height-specific water fountains and bowls and even appropriately-sized hydrants. It’s fun to visit even if you don’t have a dog. You will enjoy the natural treed setting and you’ll also enjoy watching dogs and owners take to the six-foot-wide loop trail to play and interact. Wagging Tail also has plenty of parking, a grill area and picnic tables. Closed Mondays and on rain days.
Bark Park Central: This one is unique by any standard. Located in the shade of a major freeway interchange, punctuated by colorful “graffiti-like” murals on the concrete highway supports, and in the shadow of downtown high rises, this is an unexpected surprise — a jewel in the heart of Deep Ellum, one of the iconic resurging Dallas neighborhoods.
Your dog may not enjoy the murals, but you will, and you and your pet will both enjoy the “ambience” of this urban oasis. It’s just a bit over an acre of fenced off-leash space in the middle of the big city; best of all — after a romp, you and your dog can walk to pet-friendly neighborhood restaurants and bars. The park has a doggie fountain and shower.
Bark Park Central, like other dog parks, is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Closed Tuesdays and if it’s raining.
White Rock Lake Dog Park: The original Dallas Dog Park, this expansive park has been newly renovated to provide just about everything a dog and owner could want. It’s not large, at only about 3 acres, but there are separate large and small-dog areas, a pavilion with electrical outlets and lighting to accommodate special events, shade structures in the fenced paddock areas, and plenty of available benches and picnic tables. There are drinking fountains, dog washes and “comfort stations,” along with great views of the lake.
When you put your dog back on leash, you’re free to use the trail system and to enjoy the wildflowers and beautiful scenery of the lakeside setting. New concrete sidewalks and gravel parking areas were installed during renovation, along with new sod and 45 new trees. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Klyde Warren Park: This is another unique Dallas attraction, a park built over the freeway, and it’s really a “people park” that forms the gateway to the Dallas Cultural District at the junction of Uptown and downtown Dallas. It’s a major attraction, and one of its major attractions is “My Best Friend’s Park,” near the botanic garden and the giant chess set. You’ll love the rest of the park’s activities that range from Saturday morning yoga to free dog training classes, the splash fountain and the food trucks. There are even outdoor ping pong tables, croquet and a putting green. Your dog is sure to love the fenced play area. What’s not to love?
Just a note: There is a Main Street Garden Downtown Dog Run that has cement obstacles for pooches to jump and run through. Located at 1900 Main Street, it’s all concrete, but it might be good for a quick exercise run. It’s a “maybe” on a list of “greats.”
2 Point Highlight
White Rock Lake Dog Park:Â There are drinking fountains, dog washes and “comfort stations,” along with great views of the lake.
NorthBark Dog Park:Â It features more than 22Â acres of lawn and trails, along with a doggie beach and pond.
