Healthy dogs require regular exercise and socialization. In a big city, finding a safe place to let your dog run around and play can be hard, but luckily, dog parks are there for you to use. Dog parks provide a safe area, usually fenced in for your pup to run and play. There are also other pups always ready to play. Like all cities, dog parks in Virginia Beach have their own rules, such as;
No puppies under four months.Don’t bring dogs that are sick or female dogs in heat into the park.Don’t bring children under 8 years old into the park.Don’t leave your dogs unattended in the park.Remove your dogs immediately at the first sign of aggressive behavior toward people or other dogs.
Let’s look at 5 of the best dog parks in Virginia Beach so that you can find the best one. If a resident in the area or is visiting, these dog parks are sure to give you and your pooch an exciting day.
1. Woodstock Community Dog Park
Located in West Virginia Beach, Woodstock Community Dog Park is a mid-sized off-leash area for your furry friend to play. Separate areas are used for small dogs and large dogs to provide a safe environment. The dog park has a leashing cage at both entrances to keep everyone’s dog safe when entering or exiting the area. Grass, dirt, and rocks make up the landscaping, with a few trees spread throughout the park providing shade. A few benches with small canopies are found in each section of the off-leash area, providing a shady spot for owners to sit and relax. Old toys and tennis balls are found in small and large dog areas for pups to enjoy. Doggy water fountains are also found in both sections for easy access. Doggy bags and trash cans can be located near the entrance, but the bags run out quickly, so the park recommends bringing extra. The large and small dog sections are not properly marked. Most dog owners that come to this park tend to take their dogs into either area, which may be a problem for small dog owners. Like most dog parks in Virginia Beach, weekends are usually busy all day. Weekdays are slow most of the day and get busy in the evenings.
2. Salem Woods Park Dog Park
Located in West Virginia Beach inside Salem Woods Park, you can find the Salem Woods Park Dog Park. This mid-sized dog park offers separate areas for small dogs and large dogs, so all dogs have a safe environment to play. A leashing cage is used at the entrance to make it safe and easy for you to leash and unleash your dog. Landscaping inside the off-leash area consists of grass and dirt though the small dog area tends to have more grass than the large dog area. At the entrance of the off-leash area, doggy poop bags are provided, and trash cans can be found all around the park to make cleaning up after your pup easy. Doggy water fountains are found in both areas of the parks, so every dog can stay hydrated while having fun. Benches can be found all around the park, giving owners a nice shady place to sit while their pup plays and socializes. Trees are everywhere in this park and provide lots of shade which can be great for hot, sunny days. Due to the large number of sweetgum trees found around the park, seedpods can litter the ground, which can be uncomfortable for your pup to step on. Saturdays and Sundays are usually the busiest days for this dog park. Weekday mornings stay pretty slow and pick up in the early evening.
3. Marshview Park Dog Park
Inside Northside Marshview Park in east Virginia Beach, you can find the Marshview Dog Park. Separated into four fenced areas, this dog park has plenty of space for your pooch to play. Depending on the season, this dog park can have landscaping of either grass or dirt. There is typically lots of natural debris on the ground like leaves, sticks, and fallen shrubbery due to all the trees inside the off-leash area. Benches are located throughout the dog area for owners to sit and watch the furry friend have fun. Some old toys and tennis balls are scattered around, providing endless entertainment for your pooch. Dog water fountains are located inside each of the off-leash areas. Doggy bags can be found at the entrance, and trash cans are spread through the park for easy access. Porta potties can be found across from the dog park underneath a canopy. This dog park can get pretty muddy during the rainy season, so it might not be fun to visit during this time unless you’re okay going home with a muddy pup. Friday through Sunday is usually the busiest time for this park, though weekdays can get pretty busy in the late afternoon.
4. Bayville Farms Dog Park
Found in northern Virginia Beach, Bayville Farms Dog Park is a large off-leash dog area. Landscaping for this park consists mainly of dirt and some grassy patches. Large trees can be found in some areas of the park, providing lots of shade. The park is separated into three separate areas that they rotate every once in a while, one for small dogs, one for large dogs, and one that’s getting maintenance. Large Gatorade containers filled with water and dog bowls are available inside the dog area and replenished daily. Benches can be found in each area along the fence, providing a shady place for owners to sit and watch their pups. The dog park is kept under watch to make sure VA dog park guidelines are followed for everyone’s safety. Doggy bags are provided inside the dog area, as well as trash cans to help owners clean up after their furry friends. Old toys and tennis balls have been donated by previous patrons so all dogs visiting the park can play and have fun. Lights have been installed so owners and dogs can keep enjoying the park after sunset as well. Due to its large size, the park is never too busy for others to come enjoy. Weekends are usually pretty busy all day, while weekdays are typically much slower.
5. Red Wing Metro Dog Park
The Red Wing Metro Dog Park is located in east Virginia Beach inside Red Wing Park. Two separate areas are available for both small dogs and large dogs to use. One leashing cage is used for the entrance to both areas. Dirt and grass patches make up the landscape of this large dog park. There are currently only a few trees to provide shade though there are some canopies over benches so owners have a shady place to sit. Picnic tables can be found inside the off-leash area and right outside the dog park as well. A dog water fountain can be found in both areas of the park to keep all the dogs hydrated. Doggy bags are provided near the entrance, and trash cans can be found outside the entrance. A few pieces of agility equipment like a-frames and tunnels can be found around the park providing entertainment for your pooch or a good area to teach your dog new tricks. Some old toys like frisbees and tennis balls are scattered through the park, donated by past visitors. This park is large, so there’s always room for your pup to play. Like other dog parks in Virginia, weekends can be especially busy, while weekdays are usually slow.
