These days, the benefits of taking your pup to a dog park are greater than ever. Not only is it excellent exercise and socialization time for canines and humans, but it's now an activity that's also a safe choice during the pandemic.
Be sure to adhere to dog park rules and only bring your dog if he or she enjoys the company of others. And for the love of clean soles, pick up your pup's poop.
Milwaukee County dog parks are open seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The cost for a single visit is $5 per dog (available at the self-pay stations at the dog parks.) Annual passes fees range from $15 to $35 for first dog (unlimited visits.) Go here for all the info.
Peruse this list of local dog parks to find the one that's best for you and your pooch:
Bay View Dog Park
East Lincoln Avenue & South Bay Street
Currently closed; repening July 1, 2021 with brand new turf!
Currie Park Dog Park
3535 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa
Features a 10-acre space for large dogs and a 1.5-acre space for small dogs – both with easy access from the Oak Leaf Trail and the parkway.
Estabrook Park Dog Park
4400 N. Estabrook Dr.
Three-acre, fully fenced-in park with a separate small-dog area.
Granville Dog Exercise Area
11718 W. Good Hope Place
This 10-acre park is ideal for larger, adventurous dogs, who are comfortable exploring hills, fields, trails and the river. It is not fully fenced-in and is best suited for owners with voice control over their dogs.
Roverwest Dog Park
3243 N. Weil St.
A fully fenced-in dog park in the Riverwest neighborhood with free street parking available along the perimeter of the park.
Runway Dog Park
1214 E. Rawson Ave., Oak Creek
Runway is Milwaukee’s largest off-leash dog park with 26 acres of fenced-in space. Also has a separate fenced-in area for small dogs, wood-chipped trails, covered pavilion with picnic tables and agility equipment.
Warnimont Park Dog Park
5400 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy
This 5-acre park is fully fenced in and offers wooded trails and a separate small-dog area.
For more information, go to Milwaukee County's dog park page.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
