The summer months are here and warmer temperatures and sunny skies mean you can spend more time outdoors. What does that mean for your four-legged companion?
If you’re looking for ways to bond with your pet or just help them burn some energy, these dog parks in the area are worth a visit:
PG&J’s Dog Park Bar
Location: 800 Baxter Ave. in Louisville.
Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Closed on Monday.
Membership: Not required. A day pass can be purchased for $10, a 5-day pass for $30 or a 10-day pass for $60. Memberships are also available for $40 per month, $120 for three months or $365 for a year.
About: PG&J’s is an indoor and outdoor off-leash dog park and bar selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, according to the organization’s website. On the drink menu are draft beer, seltzers, wine and a variety of cocktails. Mocktails, hot tea and coffee are also available for those who don’t drink. Non-dog owners are also welcome to attend but should note dogs will be off-leash.
Old Louisville Dog Run
Location: Toonerville Trolley Park, 1215 S. Brook St. in Louisville.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Membership: Required. Louisville Dog Run Association members only. $45 annually.
About: According to ttnalouisville.org, the Old Louisville Dog Run is located in Toonerville Trolley Park in Old Louisville at Oak and Brook Street. The dog park consists of two 100′ x 115′ areas, one built over an old tennis court and the other at the back of the park.
Morton Avenue Dog Park
Location: 1548 Morton Ave. in Louisville.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Membership: Not required.
About: According to topdogparks.com, Morton Avenue Dog Park is the only Louisville park that doesn’t require a membership. It is an off-leash, gated dog park that also provides chew toys and tennis balls, and accessible water and garbage bins.
Vettiner Dog Run
Location: Charlie Vettiner Park, 5550 Charlie Vettiner Park Road in Louisville.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily.
Membership: Required. Louisville Dog Run Association members only. $45 annually.
About: According to Wag!, Vettiner Dog Run is a two-acre off-leash dog park within a section of Charlie Vettiner Park. The dog park is divided into two areas, one for smaller dogs weighing no more than 30 pounds and the other for all dogs. Puppies must be at least four months to use the facility.
The dog park has shoulder-high fencing but is completely outdoors. Some shade is provided by surrounding trees. The area has benches and water fountains but owners are expected to bring their own pet waste bags and place them in the provided garbage bins.
Cochran Hill Dog Run
Location: Cherokee Park, 745 Cochran Hill Road in Louisville.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Membership: Required. Louisville Dog Run Association members only. $45 annually.
About: The Cochran Hill Dog Run at Cherokee Park is the only leash-free area in the more than 400-acre park, according to Wag!. There are two gated areas, one for larger and more active dogs, and the other for smaller and shyer dogs. Both areas are shaded by trees with a nearby covered gazebo and benches for pet parents. There are also water stations to rinse your dog if he or she gets muddy, fresh drinking water, pet waste bags and trash bins.
The Barklands of Floyds Fork
Location: Beckley Creek Park, Beckley Creek Parkway in Louisville.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Membership: Required. Louisville Dog Run Association members only. $45 annually.
About: According to The Parklands of Floyds Fork, the Barklands is a three-acre off-leash dog park near the Egg Lawn of Beckley Creek Park. The dog park is divided into three one-acre sections, one for large dogs, one for small dogs and one that “rests,” or remains closed while the other two are in use. Signs will mark the sections and they frequently rotate.
Champions Dog Run
Location: Champions Park, 2700 River Road in Louisville.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Membership: Required. Louisville Dog Run Association members only. $45 annually.
About: According to Wag!, Champions Dog Run is on 3.6 acres of Champions Park, which spans 222 acres. The fully fenced park has different sections depending on the size, age and activity level of the dog, as well as water fountains and waste stations with bags provided. Dogs can be leash-free in the dog park but must be leashed outside the fences.
Sawyer Dog Park
Location: E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hills Road in Louisville.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Membership: Required. Louisville Dog Run Association members only. $45 annually.
About: Sawyer Dog Park is located in the nearly 370-acre E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park in the East End, according to Wag!. Covering six acres, the gated dog park is located on the northeast edge of the property and is divided into three sections. Each section is about two acres, with one designated for dogs under 30 pounds and the other two for all dogs. There are two nearby gazebos with plenty of shade, in addition to benches, watering stations and waste stations.
Elizabeth Cleland Cauley Dog Park
Location: Wendell Moore Park, 1551 Highway 393 in La Grange.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily.
Membership: Required. Louisville Dog Run Association members only. $45 annually.
About: The Elizabeth Cleland Cauley Dog Park sits on two acres of the more than 100-acre Wendell Moore Park, according to Wag!. It contains two areas — one for senior, smaller or shy dogs — and the other for active and larger dogs. Dogs can be off-leash within the gates, but must be leash for all other park areas.
Waverly Dog Run
Location: Waverly Park, 4800 Waverly Park Road in Louisville.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Membership: Required. Louisville Dog Run Association members only. $45 annually.
About: Waverly Dog Run is located at the end of Waverly Park Road once you enter the park. There will be public restrooms and free parking, and past the lake, in the woods is the gated, leash-free area. It encompasses about an acre and a half of the nearly 300-acre park and is a larger area for dogs of all ages and sizes to socialize and play. There’s also plenty to explore outside the dog park, but remember, they need to be leashed.
To access most dog parks in the city, a permit is required with the Louisville Dog Run Association. According to the organization website, the 2024 permit costs $45.00 for the first dog, $35.00 for the second dog, $25.00 for the third dog and $20.00 per additional dog in the same household. All funds go back to the improvement of the dog parks and the permit must be renewed annually.
Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
