Dog Parks and Doggy Day Trips

From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com 

Think of dog parks as playgrounds for our four-legged friends. Dog parks allow our pups to exercise, socialize and cut lose in this gorgeous DC fall weather. If you’re looking for a local park to take your dog, look no further. We have a list of dog parks in the neighborhood and nearby.

Neighborhood Dog Parks

• Shaw Dog Park (1673 11th Street NW, between Rhode Island and R Street NW). This neighborhood favorite is open Monday through Friday from 7 am until 10 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 am until 10 pm. Check out the park’s new website for community information and doggy tips.
• S Street Dog Park or 17th Street Dog Park (17th and S Streets NW). This dog park, which looks like a triangle of grass right next to New Hampshire Avenue NW, was just renovated. Renovations included fixing tears and holes in the K9Grass surface, power-washing and vacuuming the turf, cleaning the turf with odor-killing enzymes and anti-microbial sprays, removing dead trees and stumps, planting new trees in the park and covering the tree and bench area with wood chips.The 17th and S dog park is managed by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation and is frequently cleaned by neighborhood volunteers. For more information on the park, call or email the DC Department of Parks and Recreation at (202) 671-0421 or dpr.dogparks[AT]dc.gov.
• Bundy Dog Park (P Street NW between 5th Street and New Jersey Avenue). Brand new to the Shaw neighborhood, Bundy just opened on April 7, 2012. The park opens at 7 am everyday, and closes at dusk. For more information, visit the website.
• Walter Pierce (2630 Adams Mill Road). Located closer to Adams Morgan, Walter Pierce provides a very green, fenced-in park for dogs. For more information, visit the dog park’s website.
• Mitchell Park (23rd and S Street NW). Yes, the playground and the tennis court at Mitchell Park are great, but so is the giant, open grassy space for Dupont’s dogs. Great for frisbee throwing or just running free, Mitchell Park is a good option in the neighborhood. The area is not fenced in (and is close to traffic), so make sure your dog is not a sprinter.

Nearby Dog Parks and Doggy Day Trips

If you and your best friend are feeling a little more adventurous, there are plenty of nearby destinations and day trips perfect for dogs.

• The Shirlington Dog Park (2601 South Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington). The Shirlington Dog Park is one of the best and biggest in the DC Metro area. The park seems to extend for miles and even has a large creek for the dogs to play in.
• Jones Point (off of Lee Street and Green Street in Old Town Alexandria – See map). Located on the Potomac River, just south of Old Town Alexandria, Jones Point is a historical (and beautiful) location. Dogs must remain on leash, but the walk to the park and along the river makes the restrictions worth the visit. Jones Point Park is open year-round from 6 am to 10 pm.
• The Billy Goat Trail and Great Falls. It’s amazing to think that Great Falls is practically in our little urban backyard — it definitely feels worlds (or at least towns) away. The Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls offers scenic views and hiking along the Potomac River.
• The Dog Beach at Calvert Cliffs State Park (9500 H. G. Trueman Road Lusby, Maryland). This Maryland State Park has a beach just for dogs. You have to hike to get to the beach, so pack some extra water and some treats for your pup.

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