Top Dog Parks in the nation

You want to spend Saturday in the park with your pooch, but when the neighborhood park becomes blasé, check out what some of the hottest pup parks in the nation have to offer.

Whether they aim to please your pup with things such as a built-in mailbox for Fido’s leg lifting pleasure or spectacular views you can both enjoy, many cities’ parks cater to outdoor adventures with your four-legged friends.

Los Angeles

Runyon Canyon Park

2000 N. Fuller Ave.

Los, Angeles, CA 90028

Keep your eyes peeled. This this park’s over 130 acres is filled with celebs taking their cockapoo or labrodoodle out for a stroll just a skip from the heart of Hollywood. While some areas of the park do require dogs to be leashed, if you enter through the southern entrance (Fuller Blvd or Vista St.), just past the second gate, pups can run free on these hiking trails. The trails are wide paths that creep along the canyon slowly climbing to a view point called Cloud’s Rest.

Bark Tips:

- Doggie-waste bags are usually available in areas of the park, but a handy spare is a good idea.

- Bring plenty of beverages, as the park is not equipped with running water. There are, however, occasional communal water bowls for the pups – take some, leave some (H20 that is).

- Pups are plentiful in this park. Be sure if you have a feisty dog to keep an eye out when others approach.

Noethling Playlot Park (A.K.A. Wiggly Field)

2645 Sheffield Ave.

Chicago, IL 60614

Located near the Lincoln Park neighborhood, this puppy playland, informally dubbed “Wiggly Field,” is solely for the use of dogs and their owners. Leave the bottled water at home as this park features a large canine-sized drinking fountain, and it just begins there. A fake mailbox stands for your pal to mark his or her territory just like at home. The park boasts plenty of benches for you to rest while “the kids” play and you mingle with the other parents.

Bark Tips:

- In Chicago, dogs must have a permit and a dog tag present at the park. Tags and permits can be purchased at any of the participating Chicago-area veterinary offices.

- You must clean up after your pup; so plastic bags are a must.

- A list of rules is posted outside the park as far as the conduct of your dog inside the park.

Prospect Park Dog Beach

Enter at 9^th Street and follow the path to Tennis house and pools

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Bark Tips:

This dog dreamland has wide-open spaces for extreme games of catch and grass sniffing galore. It also has a dog beach solely for pups to swim located near the Long Meadow Ballfields. The park is largely known for its unleashed hours. While they are limited, dogs do not have to be leashed before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m. So, early-risers and late-nighters are the highest ‘prospects’ to enjoy this doggy-beach oasis in the midst of the city.

- Since the pond area is not that large and usually crowded, for the safety of all the dogs, balls are usually preferred over sticks for fetching.

- In non-meadow wooded areas, dogs must always be on a leash as not to disturb the natural wildlife.

PAW OK

Corner of North Grand Boulevard and Hefner Parkway

Oklahoma City, OK 73156

Off-leash and featuring a secure area, this dog park gives puppies plenty of room to stretch their legs in a safe setting. A pond where dogs can swim and play on the shore borders the north end of the park. The goal of the park is to remain free and open to the public so Fido has a place to play with breaking his owner’s bank.

Bark Tips:

- No rawhides or chewies are allowed, so save those for your front yard.

- There is a limit of two dogs per handler. If you have more dogs, make sure to bring a friend to join the fun.

- Donations are suggested for park maintenance

Seattle

Warren G. Magnuson Park

7400 Sand Point Way N.E.

Seattle, Washington 98115

Seattle’s only off-leash park with water access is the perfect spot for your dog to play a rousing game of fetch in the shore. The pebble-filled shoreline of Lake Washington has a winding trail portion of the 9-acre park. It’s a one-mile hike to the beach so you and your puppy get a little workout before even hitting the shore.

Bark Tips:

- Dogs are not allowed on beaches in any of the other surrounding areas. So, take advantage of the chance to enjoy the shores with your pooch.

- The trail does not loop, so you have to retrace your steps back if you want your pup to remain in the off-leash area.

- There is a small/shy dog area for the guys who may not be so amped to mingle.

Millie Bush Bark Park

10109 Long Point Rd.

Houston, TX 77043

Named for the presidential pooch, this 15-acre park has all the goods to make it popular with the pups and parents alike. Trails with dog ponds, faux fire hydrants, doggie showers and drinking fountains are the perks of this park. After a day of playing in the sun, the park also has picnic spots in the shade, so you and your pal can share a snack and a little good ol’ fashioned R & R.

Bark Tips:

- With over 100 parking spots at the dog park, finding a spot with Spot should be easy.

- Plastic bags are provided throughout the park for your cleanup needs.

- Basically the only centrally located park, but it is still a sweet treat for Fido.

Atlanta

Piedmont Park

Piedmont Ave NE and 14^th St.

Atlanta, GA 30309

Piedmont Park is a public area for both pets and owners to frolic. There is plenty of grassy space set against the Atlanta city skyline that serves as a good place to play catch, go for a jog or mingle with new and old friends. Many areas of Atlanta require dogs to be leashed, but Piedmont has an off-leash policy for your furry friends. Hang around Piedmont long enough; you and Fido might even catch one of the many concerts or theatre performances.

Bark Tips:

- There is no swimming allowed in Clara Meer for pooches or people.

- Bite-sized treats are the only food allowed in the dog park area.

- The park is very popular, so plan ahead to see and be seen. Go ahead, break out the good collar.

Washington DC

Glover Park Dog Park

39^th Street and W Street, NW

Washington DC 20007

Surrounded by woods, Glover Dog Park is a good place to escape and relax with your pal and stroll one of the many trails throughout the park. Areas of the park allow off-leash, but make sure to strap the collar back on to hike the trails. Despite the usual city hustle that surrounds, this park remains quiet and it’s central location makes it an easy stop.

Bark Tips:

- Most of the park is unfenced; keep an eye on your pooch.

- Leave the bottles at home; water is available throughout most of the park.

- The park is open sunrise to sunset. Sorry early risers and late nighters.