It’s A Dog’s Life In Charlotte! Where To Have Fun With Fido!

It’s a dog’s life in Charlotte…. Charlotte is a city of dog lovers! In some of our neighborhoods it sometime seems that there are more four-legged residents than two-legged residents. Over the past decade or so, numerous dog parks have been opened in Charlotte where you can let your dogs run off-leash and let them socialize with other dogs.

Charlotte/Mecklenburg County dog parks are open from 7:30 am until sunset seven days a week. Use of county dog parks is now free. As of July 1, 2008, pooch passes are no longer sold or required.  Dogs must meet all guidelines and maintain current vaccinations (Rabies with Tag Number, DHLPP & Bordetella) to utilize the off-leash areas. No children under the age of 12 are permitted to inside dog parks.

•  Frazier Dog Park, located at 120 West Trade Street is a 1.3 acre dog park with separate areas for small dogs and large dogs, as well as a public water supply for doggie drinks.
•  Swaney Pointe K-9 Park located at Ramsey Creek Park, 18441 Nantz Road in Cornelius.This 4 acre dog parj features a fenced-in, off-leash area for dogs, including separate fenced areas for dogs larger than 20 pounds and dogs smaller than 20 pounds. 
• Barkingham Park located at Reedy Creek Park, 2900 Rocky River Road.  This 4 acre dog park offers a  fenced-in, off-leash area for dogs.
• Ray’s Fetching Meadow located at McAlpine Creek Community Park, 8711 Monroe Road. This 1 acre dog park ioffers a fenced-in, off-leash area for dogs.
• Davie Dog Park located at William R. Davie District Park, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road. This 5 acre park has afenced-in, off-leash area for dogs with two separate fenced-in secure sections for dogs that are larger than 20 pounds and dogs that are smaller than 20 pounds.
• Suffletown Park located at 9500 Bellhaven Boulevard. Shuffletown Park has 4 acres allocated for dogs, also with separate sections of large and small dogs.
• The Preserve Dog Park located at 330 O’Henry Avenue in Davidson. Dogs with a current Davidson dog tag and rabies vaccination must be registered at the Davidson Police Department.
• Canine Commons Dog Park located at 181 Lake Drive in Pineville. Note that this dog park is closed on Tuesday mornings for maintenance.

Dog Park Image Credited to Change.org

If you love to hike with your dog, here are some wonderful options to get great exercise with your dog:

• • • McDowell Nature Preserve, located at 15222 South York Road in Charlotte, this 1,132 acre nature preserve in Charlotte on Lake Wylie is the oldest such preserve in Charlotte. It offers over 7 miles of trails for hiking enthusiasts. Dogs must be on leashes of six feet or less. Download a map of the McDowell Nature Preserve hiking trails.
    • Kings Mountain State Park, located  at 12777 Park Road in Blacksburg, SC in York County, about 40 miles southwest of Charlotte. Information on the various hiking trails at Kings Mountain, click here.
    • Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, located at 6211 Sample Road in Huntersville in Mecklenburg County,  offers some 16 miles of hiking trails. Download a map of the hiking trails at theLatta Plantation Nature Preserve, click here.
    • Crowder’s Mountain, located at 522 Park Office Lane in Kings Mountain, NC in Gaston County. Crowder’s Mountain State Park has 5100+ acres with numerous walking trails of varying difficulty. Download a map of the hiking trails at Crowder’s Mountain, click here.
      

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      DOG HIKING ESSENTIALS FROM SIERRA TRADING POST

      

Throughout the year, Charlotte area dog owners and their dogs can find many a festival at which to enjoy a dog-gone good time. Some of these include: 

• • • Pet Palooza Festival and Walk, sponsored by the Humane Society of Charlotte. 
    • Bark In The Park Events, which often take place at BB&T Baseball Park, also sponsored by the Humane Society of Charlotte together with  the Charlotte Knights.
    • Paws In The Park festival in Pineville.

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Did you know that the Charlotte region has over 300 dog-friendly restaurants?  Click here for a comprehensive list of dog-friendly restaurants in the Charlotte area that welcome your four-legged companion(s) at their outdoor tables.

Image credited to medium