Four-legged friends deserve new places to play

Everyone needs a change of pace and place from time to time. This holds true for both humans and their four-legged canine friends. That’s right, Fido is getting a little tired of that way-too-familiar walk around the block or the dog park closest to home.

“Exercise provides all dogs with mental stimulation and keeps them active, which can help prolong their lives and reduce risk of obesity,” states the American Kennel Club’s website.

“It gives it an opportunity to be free of a leash, an opportunity to be able to roam in a large area instead of being confined to a small fenced-in area or enclosure and it also gives it an opportunity to socialize with other dogs, and with other people as well,” states AAA State of Play on its website.

City of Decatur, which has three fenced dog parks—Adair, Glenlake and Oakhurst—has a number of rules for those using its dog parks including:
• Dogs must be licensed with a current tag. 
• Dogs must be under the control of a responsible adult and obedient to that person’s commands. 
• Children must be closely supervised. 
• Animal waste must be removed immediately.
• No aggressive dogs allowed.
• Dogs that become aggressive must be leashed and removed immediately. 
• Dog park users must carry a leash/lead at all times. 
• Dogs must never be left unattended. 
• No female dogs “in season” allowed. 
• Limit three dogs per visit per user. 
• Dog park users are responsible and liable for any damage or injuries caused by dogs under their supervision. 
The good news is that DeKalb County and metro Atlanta have a wealth of dog parks to give Fido a variety of places to romp and run.
Here are a few:

Oakhurst Dog Park
Described as a “fully fenced in “large, open field for play” with water hoses for rinsing off as well as “benches for humans,” Oakhurst Dog Park is an off-leash park.
“We are proud to be the first dog park to be named a wildlife sanctuary by the Atlanta Audubon Society. There are several birdhouses, bat houses, and a 1300 sq ft pollinator garden,” states the dog park’s website.
The park, which also has trails and plenty of shade, is located at 450 East Lake Drive, Decatur.

Brook Run Dog Park
This park is roughly two wooded acres for off-leash play. “Nestled in the woods towards the back of Brook Run Park, the tree canopy offers shade protection from the summer heat as well as from mild rains,” is a description on its website. The dog park is fenced and “features multiple entry points with double-gates for safety of the dogs and their humans.”  
Brook Run Dog Park is located at 4770 N. Peachtree Road in Dunwoody.

Piedmont Dog Park
Atlanta’s popular Piedmont Park, home to the Atlanta Jazz Festival and Atlanta Dogwood Festival, attracts a good many dogs and dog lovers. Described as “one of the hippest and most happening places to be in Georgia if you have a dog,” Piedmont Dog Park offers three acres of open space. The main park is located at Piedmont and 10th Street, but the address for the dog park is 400 Park Drive, Atlanta.

Summergate Park
500 Columbia Parkway, Decatur

Chamblee Dog Park
4445 Buford Highway NE, Chamblee

Henderson Park Dog Park
3897 Allsborough Drive, Tucker

Rockbridge Dog Park
3580 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain

Brookside Park
3661 N. Decatur Road, Decatur

Glenlake Dog Park
Norris Street, Decatur

Adair Dog Park
600 W. Trinity Place, Decatur