The Connection

Nothing puts a smile on a dog’s snout more than a trip to the dog park. Arlington County has eight dog parks ranging from grassy, tree-covered parks to synthetic turf with a solar-powered water feature for Fido to play in. These dog parks are the only public places in Arlington where dogs may be off leash.

“Our dog parks are great places for both two and four legged Arlingtonians to meet up,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jane Rudolph. In the past, Arlington called its dog parks Community Canine Areas in reference to the strong community within the parks. “Arlington’s dog parks have a long history of community/county partnerships, with dog park sponsor groups playing a big role in park development and maintenance. We couldn’t do it without them.”

Each Arlington dog park has its own community and vibe. Shirlington is the biggest and gets pooches from a wide reach, while Fort Ethan Allen gets a more local pack. “The camaraderie among park visitors ]both the dogs and the humans that support them] is really great to see,” said Lyndell Core, who manages the parks for the county. “Pet owners share information about pet habits, pet training or the need for training. And the personal relationships developed among dog park visitors is great. At a recent holiday party at one of the parks, names were not important, it was who is your dog? Pet owners are known more by the characteristics of the breed of their dog, its temperament and harmony in the park.”

The county is currently looking for groups to sponsor James Hunter and Glen Carlyn Dog Parks. “Dog park sponsor groups help set the tone for the park and are vital to ensuring the parks are community driven,” said Rudolph. People interested in supporting these parks should contact Core, lcore@arlingtonva.us/703-228-6523, for more information.

Arlington Dog Parks

Dog Parks noted with an asterisk (*) indicates that dog park is not or is only partially fenced in.

Benjamin Banneker Park

1701 North Van Buren Street

Arlington, VA 22205

Lights on until 8 p.m.

Sponsor: Banneker Dogs

Fort Barnard

at the corner of South Pollard Street

and South Walter Reed Drive

Lights on until 9 p.m.

Sponsor: Douglas Dogs

Fort Ethan Allen Park

3829 North Stafford Street

Arlington, VA 22207

Lights on until 7 p.m.

Sponsor: Madison Dogs

Glencarlyn Park *

301 South Harrison Street

Arlington, VA 22204

Closed at sunset

James Hunter Park

1230 N. Hartford Street

Arlington, VA 22201

CCA area closes at 9 p.m.

Shirlington Park *

2601 South Arlington Mill Drive

Arlington, VA 22206

Closed at sunset

Sponsor: Shirlington Dogs II

Towers Park

801 South Scott Street

Arlington, VA 22204

Lights on until 10 p.m.

Sponsor: Towers Park CCA

Utah Park

3191 South Utah Street

Arlington, VA 22206

Closed at sunset

Sponsor: Fair Dogs