Dog parks allow owners to play with their pooches off leash. Providing a place for city dwellers and elderly or disabled owners to exercise their dogs freely, these parks promote socialization for canines – and often people, too! If a dog park does not exist in your neighborhood, get together with your community to found one. You will generally need support of individuals in your neighborhood, a good location, city permission and funds to maintain it. Begin by doing a little online research for groups that can provide information and support your endeavor.

Cleveland's Tremont / Clark Field Dog Park
Follow I-90 east to the West 25th Street exit. Turn right on West 25th and head to the light at Clark Avenue. Turn left on Clark Avenue and head through the light at West 14th. Turn left onto West 11th Street. Continue down West 11th to the second stop sign and turn right. Head down the hill and the parking lot will be on the left.

Lakewood Dog Park
Take I-90 westbound to the McKinley Road exit. Follow forward to Hilliard Road and turn left onto Hilliard. At the next light turn left onto Rocky River Drive and then make a right into the MetroParks onto Hogsback Road. At the bottom of the hill turn right onto Valley Parkway and follow for about 2 miles. You will pass the Rocky River boat launch area to park. Walk across the footbridge, and the park will be across the street adjacent to the Lakewood Water Treatment plant.

Eastlake Dog Park
Take Route 2 to the Route 91 exit. At the end of the ramp go north on Route 91, which will dead end. At the dead end, turn east and go about 1/2 mile to a large soccer ball sign on the right.
Medina Dog Park, Memorial Park
Entrance on East Homestead Drive.

Brunswick Dog Park
From I-71 get off at Route 303 and head west. About 2 miles ahead look for Cross Creek Drive and make a right. Go about 500 yards and the park will be located on your right.

Twinsburg Dog Park
Located off Liberty Road near the new baseball and soccer fields.

Canal Fulton Doggie Park
Between Great Lakes Boulevard N. W. (Route 21) and Erie Avenue N. W. on Butterbridge Road N. W.

Chagrin Falls Dog Park
About a mile outside of Chagrin Falls on Chagrin Road, just past Chagrin Pet and Garden Store.

Keyser Dog Park in Cuyahoga Falls
Coming from State Road, turn west onto West Bath Road. Go west for 1.4 miles to Keyser Park allotment. Keyser Park sign will be on the right (north) side of the road. Turn north onto Keyser Parkway; go northeast 1/4 mile. Park entrance is on the left (west) side of the road. Once inside Keyser Park, bear Left at the Y (away from the baseball/soccer fields). The dog park is up the black-topped path.

Mentor Dog Park
Route 2 to Route 615. Left on Tyler, right on Hopkins.

For more information on dog parks in Northeast Ohio, visit www.clevelanddogparks.com, www.ecoanimal.com/dogfun/ohio.html or www.thedogpark.com.