Just a few years ago, you couldn’t bike or jog through a park in Louisville without having a close encounter with a pack of unleashed dogs. The situation has improved significantly with the addition of several Louisville dog parks. Now, nearly every part of the city is represented by a dog run.
The Louisville Dog Run Association (LDRA), a volunteer organization, oversees dog runs at a growing number of public parks. Members pay for an annual permit on a sliding scale: $30 for the first dog, $20 for the second, $10 for the third, and $5 for every dog after that. A permit allows members to visit any of the LDRA runs around the city. Permits help pay for upkeep and opening more dog runs.
The idea of taking pets to enclosed dog runs is slow to catch on in some parts of the city. On some days, for example, you may see more dogs running loose on Dog Hill in Cherokee Park than taking advantage of the two-acre Cochran Hill Dog Run on the northern edge of the park. Still, Louisville dog runs are growing in popularity. Here are the top five in Louisville:
1. E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park Dog Run
This expansive dog run is the granddaddy of the unleashed dog runs in Louisville. It is located across from the main entrance to the park on Freys Hill Road.The run covers a whopping six acres and includes one section each for small dogs and large dogs (more than 30 pounds), plus two sections for all dogs. On a weekend when the weather is nice, expect most of the parking spaces to be filled. This popular dog run in northeast Jefferson County has asphalt, gravel, and plenty of grassy areas.
E.P. "Tom" Sawyer
3000 Freys Hill Rd.
Yelp reviews.
2. The Barklands at Beckley Creek Park
The name may be overly cute, but it’s a play on the Parklands of Floyd Fork, of which Beckley Creek Park is a part. Beckley Creek is a relatively new park on the eastern edge of the county, and there isn’t much in the way of foliage yet. If your dog is partial to open spaces and doesn’t mind romping within sight of a busy interstate highway, this is a good spot. The dog run covers four acres and is separated into three sections: one for small dogs, one for big, and, in a prudent move, a third section that is always off limits for recuperation. The resting sections rotate so your pet will always have good turf to run on.
Beckley Creek Park
1.5 miles south of Shelbyville Road on Beckley Creek Parkway.
Yelp Reviews
3. Waverly Park Dog Run
Waverly Park is a 300-acre park in southwestern Jefferson County with a nine-hold golf course and a lake. If you enter the park off Arnoldtown Road and look for the dog run, you literally can’t miss it. That’s because the run is at the end of the road, past the lake and down a hill to a small parking lot. When you can't go any farther, you're there. The dog run is tucked away in the trees next to the hiking trails. It is small with only 1.5 acres of space, and it is not separated for small and large dogs. However, the run is in a nice location beneath a canopy of trees.
Waverly Park i
4800 Waverly Park Road.
Yelp Reviews
4. Champions Dog Run
This relatively new development at Champions Park is situated at the corner of Zorn Avenue and River Road. There aren’t many residences within walking distance, but Champions is convenient to downtown and the river corridor. The dog run covers more than three-and-a-half acres of what used to be a golf course. Don’t be surprised if your dog digs up a Titleist or a splintered tee. Champions Dog Run has separate sections for big and small dogs. Drinking water is available. Field hockey, soccer, and cross country fields are nearby, and you’ll find plenty of parking. The dog run will become more popular as this new metro park becomes more developed.
Champions Park
2050 River Road.
Yelp Reviews
5. Patterson Dog Park, aka Morton Avenue Dog Park
This is the only dog park on the list that is not under the auspices of LDRA. There is no permit fee, but users are expected to do their part to keep the park clean. The park is not much larger than an average back yard, so it’s more like a dog stroll than a run. Still, this little park is very popular with dog owners in the neighborhood. It’s located next to a middle school on Morton Avenue in the Original Highlands a half block off Baxter Avenue. The locals do their best to keep the dog park covered with wood chips, but it does get a bit muddy after a good rain. Still, the park has a nice neighborly feel. Beach umbrellas and lawn chairs encircle the park, which creates an atmosphere like a beer garden that allows unleashed pets.
Patterson Dog Park
1418 Morton Avenue.
Yelp Reviews
LDRA has more dog runs planned to cover other areas of the city. Visit the LDRA website on louisvilledogs.org to learn more or to print an application. If your dog is in a hurry to run unfettered, however, visit a Feeders Supply store. They keep applications on hand. You’ll need proof of vaccinations and a county license.
2 Point Highlight
Louisville dog runs are growing in popularity.
Now, nearly every part of the city is represented by a dog run.
