Now that temperatures are rising in Atlanta, we are ready to spend more time outdoors enjoying everything our city has to offer. And for many of us, nothing could be better than enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather with our canine friends. Lucky for us, Atlanta is blessed with a generous amount of green space, and many of our favorite local parks also include a special area for our dogs. We’ve compiled a list of some of Atlanta dog owners’ favorite spots. These parks feature expansive play areas, dog-friendly water features, and in some cases, fun perks for the owners as well.
Piedmont Dog Park
Dogs are welcome throughout Piedmont Park’s 200 acres, and many of the park’s fountains even have ground level basins for dog’s to use. It’s no surprise that dog lovers flock to Atlanta’s most famous and beloved park, and they and their pups can be found all throughout Piedmont Park. However, throughout most of the park, dogs do have to be on a leash. The exception to this rule is the three acre Piedmont Park Dog Park, where our furry friends are welcome to run and play off leash. Since it opened in 2002, this special area has been one of the most popular features of the park. Located in the northwest corner under the Park Drive bridge , this special dog friendly area features separate fenced areas for small and large dogs, trails, shaded areas, dog water features and restrooms for owners. On most weekends there are even concessions available from King of Pops, Don’t miss this opportunity to treat you canine to one of their special Dog Popsicles!
Piedmont Dog Park – 502 Amsterdam Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306. Open 6am – 11pm.
Brook Run Dog Park
Explore to the back of the 102-acre Brook Run Park in Dunwoody and you will find two wooded acres of playground for your four legged friend. By locating their dog park in the rear of the park, the folks at Dunwoody’s parks department were able to make good use of the tree canopy for both shade in the summer and protection from light rain during surprise summer storms. Plus, dogs love the feeling of an off leash romp in the woods. There are multiple entry and exits points with double gates for safety, and the Brook Run Dog Park Association offers volunteer opportunities for local residents to help with beautification and clean up efforts.
Brook Run Dog Park – 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338. The park is open daily from 7am to sunset.
Freedom Barkway
Freedom Barkway is located on over 2 acres in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, making it one of the largest off-leash areas in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Unlike many local dog parks that are built onto existing city and county parks, Freedom Barkway was the brainchild of four local neighborhood associations. Residents of these neighborhoods wanted a place to gather together while also hanging out with their pups and giving them an opportunity to run and play off leash. After forming a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization through which to run the park, the associations were able to obtain land from the Georgia Department of Transportation, and soon Freedom Barkway was born. Local residents and park users can donate and volunteer toward efforts to keep the park up and running.
Freedom Barkway – 523 Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30312. Open 6am-11pm
Oakhurst Dog Park
If you are looking for a dog park with one open area where all size dogs can play together, Oakhurst Dog Park may be the perfect place for you. This is great for those of us with a pair of mismatched doggy friends. There is a large open field for play, but one third of the park is wooded as well, giving the pups plenty of areas to play. In a perfect of example of how multiple species can coexist and thrive together, Oakhurst Dog Park is the first dog park to be named a wildlife sanctuary by the Atlanta Audubon Society. The park includes several birdhouses, bat houses, and a 1300 square foot pollinator garden. The park is 100% community maintained, and volunteers are often needed for tasks such as spreading mulch and clearing paths in the wooded portion of the park. To that effect, the park is closed every Friday morning from 9am – 12pm so that the local volunteer army can get to work on beautifying the park.
Oakhurst Dog Park – 450 East Lake Drive, Decatur, GA 30030
Fetch Park
Unlike the other dog parks on the list, Fetch Park is a relatively new dog park and bar concept that started in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. Fetch has been featured by The Travel Channel, CNN and ESPN, and additional locations are planned throughout the city.
How does it work? Humans can enter for free, and you don’t have to have a dog with you to enjoy a drink and socialize with friends at Fetch. For dogs, entry is based on a membership system, with annual, monthly and even daily membership levels available. Pup parents furnish proof of vaccination and sign a liability waiver, while staff known as “bark rangers” roam the park making sure everyone is playing nice.
Fetch Park – 520 Daniel Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30312. Open 8am – 9pm on Sundays – Thursdays, and 8am – 10pm
Renaissance Park Dog Park
Located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, Renaissance Park’s Dog Park covers 5.4 acres, making it one of the largest in the city. The park includes separate fenced play areas for large and small dogs and has plenty of shade, benches, and water fountains for thirsty pups. Perhaps the biggest advantage to Renaissance is its location, offering fantastic views of Atlanta’s Downtown and Midtown skylines. Renaissance is especially popular amongst those with small dogs, so if your four legged friend is small in stature, this could be the perfect place for him or her.
Renaissance Park Dog Park – 501 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. Open daily 6am – 11pm
What about pups that live outside of Atlanta? As it turns out, some of the most award-winning dog parks in the Atlanta area are located OTP (outside the perimeter), so if you reside in the suburbs you’ll still find the perfect park for your pooch.
Newtown Dream Dog Park
Newtown Dream Dog Park isn’t just one of the best dog parks in Atlanta – it has been voted one of the top off leash areas in the nation! Located near the front entrance of Newtown Park in Johns Creek, the park includes a fenced one-acre area featuring artificial turf, sprinklers for dogs to play in, plus water fountains for people and pets, and a walking trail. There is even a doggy obstacle course with a bridge, hoops and tunnels. There are separate areas for large and small dogs, along with benches, shelters, and shade trees.
Newtown Dream Dog Park – 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022. Open 8am-9pm.
Woofstock Park
Woofstock Park is not surprisingly located in Woodstock, near the Towne Lake Pass and Noonday Creek Trailheads. It is comprised of five acres with separate areas for small and large dogs. Pups have plenty of greenspace to run around in, and there’s a wooden dog agility course, and a shaded seating area for owners. Woofstock Park is also very well lit for visitors who prefer to come out and play in the evening hours.
The proximity to the trailheads means the park is easily connected to downtown Woodstock, so before or after playtime, leashed dogs can accompany their owners to restaurants and breweries in town, most of which have plentiful outdoor patio seating that is dog friendly.
Woofstock Park – 150 Dupree Road, Woodstock, GA 30188. Open daily 7am – 11pm
Chattapoochee Dog Park
Chattapoochee has everything you expect in a dog park – separate areas for large and small dogs, plentiful green space for pups to run and play, and a good amount of seating for owners. Dogs will also enjoy their own water fountain and splash pad to cool off in on warmer days. If your dog is truly a water lover, the park is a quick walk from the river, and there’s an area perfect for canines who are experienced swimmers to take a dip.
Chattapoochee Dog Park – 4291 Rogers Bridge Road, Duluth, GA 30096. Open 8am – 7pm
Waggy World Paw Park
Waggy World Paw Park is located on 1.5 acres behind the Alpharetta Community Center at Wills Park. Both the large and small dog sections include doggy obstacles, significant shade and plentiful benches for owners to relax on. Volunteers keep the park in great shape with fresh mulch and clearing of undergrowth.
Waggy World Paw Park – 175 Roswell Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009. Open daily 8am – Sunset
With so many options for dogs to play off leash, it’s no wonder Atlanta has been named one of the top 10 most dog friendly cities in the United States! You and your four-legged friends will love spending time in one of these great parks.