Dog parks in New Orleans
Overview
Dog parks are one of the best ways to give your dog some extra time to roam around and play. Whether you don't have a very large backyard, you have no backyard at all, or you just want your dog to be able to socialize with other dogs, a local dog park where your pup can enjoy their time is a great option to have. Here are a few of the best New Orleans parks where dogs can feel free to run around and play.
Connect with an online vet in New OrleansNola City Bark is often considered the crown jewel of the dog parks in New Orleans. It's the largest park in the area, with over four acres of space for dogs to run around in. This dog park also offers separate areas for small and large dogs, a water play area, shade pavilions, and an easy clean-up area. To ensure that all dogs are vaccinated and spayed or neutered, a permit is required. You can buy an annual permit, a temporary one, or a two-week permit if you're just visiting or trying the park out.
2. Crescent Bark
Crescent Bark is located within the much larger Crescent Park, an urban park that attempts to give residents a break from urban life. It offers beautiful views of the New Orleans skyline, as well as easy access to the rest of the French Market District. Also called the "Crescent Park Dog Run," this is a small park without much space, but it can be a great option if your dog is just looking for a spot to run off some extra energy.
3. Gretna Dog Park
Located in Gretna just south of New Orleans, the Gretna Dog Park is a beloved option for people in Gretna and the surrounding areas. There are separate areas for large and small dogs, as well as obstacles for dogs to run around and use. It's a wide-open area that dogs love to play in, and it's very popular among local dog owners. If you're in the area, this may be a great park for your dog to use.
4. Camellia City Bark Park
The Camellia City Bark Park is a great spot to stop by if you're looking for a dog park where you and your pets can enjoy time together. Not only are there separate off-leash areas for large and small dogs, but you'll also find an array of ways for dogs to enjoy themselves, including play pools and obstacle courses. It's also open seven days a week, with no need to apply for a permit.
5. Pontiff Park Dog Park
Pontiff Park is a well-loved dog park in Metairie, just outside of New Orleans, and the addition of a dog park has made it even more popular. This dog park has been open since 2017, with 25,000 square feet of space now being used for the dog park. You'll find benches for humans, a drinking fountain for both dogs and humans, and open spaces for pets to run around and play.
Give your dog a place to play
Dog parks are amazing places for dogs to run and play and make new friends. Plus, as a dog owner, you may also be able to socialize with other dog owners in the area. However, dogs do need an element of socialization before you bring them to the dog park. If you're looking for help with socializing your dog before you visit the dog park, book a virtual vet appointment with Vetster to get assistance from a veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Not all of them. It's common for dog parks to separate their areas by weight, with one section for small dogs and the other for dogs of all sizes. However, this isn't universal, and you may also find that your local dog park simply offers one area for all dogs, regardless of size. No matter how your dog park chooses to handle dogs of different sizes, it's important to remember that you should always keep a close eye on your dog as they play, because separating dogs of different sizes doesn't inherently mean that there's no danger for a smaller dog.
- Most dog parks should have signage indicating that the area is an off-leash area for dogs. If dogs are allowed at an otherwise general park, you should also see signs indicating that dogs are allowed, generally if they are on a leash. However, if you want to check whether dogs are allowed at a specific park before you attend, you can always get more information from the New Orleans Parks & Recreation website.
- Many local dog parks are run by volunteers from the local community, so they'll probably be very happy to have you join them as part of the management group. Just get in touch with your local dog park's current leaders to get more information about how you can do this. Outside of this, you can also start helping out with your local dog park in an unofficial capacity. Just make sure you clean up after your dog and pick up any trash you see. This will go a long way in making sure your local dog park is clean and enjoyable.