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Top Dog Parks In Denver

Dogs at a park in Breckenridge (credit: CBS)(credit: CBS)

With your pooch trapped inside all winter long, it's nice to take advantage of one of Denver's perfectly sunny days and bring him to one of the many local dog parks. You'll love watching him play with the other dogs in these safe areas where dogs can run off-leash to get out all that extra energy and it's a great place to socialize for both you and your pup. Make sure to bring along extra bags to clean up after him and plenty of water. Then just relax at one of these beautiful local parks and enjoy the time with your best friend.

Lowry Dog Park
555 Uinta Way
Denver, CO 80230
(720) 913-0738
www.denvergov.org

This is one of the quieter dog parks in town, as not a lot of people have discovered this little, hidden gem yet. It's mostly gravel, which means that it's a great place to visit after it's rained, since there won't be a lot of mud to wipe off your pup's paws before you get back home. There isn't a lot of shade yet, but as the trees mature, it should add more shady places to relax. There are two separate dog areas, one for larger and more active dogs and one for smaller and less active dogs. The gray walking paths make it easy to take your pooch for a stroll and there are plenty of benches and spots to sit as you watch your pal socialize and play for a few hours.

Stapleton Dog Park
2002 N. Spruce St
Denver, CO 80238
www.denvergov.org

Stapleton Dog Park is one of the more popular spots in the area for dogs to mix and mingle. This larger park has one big enclosure for dogs of all sizes, so if your little dog doesn't play well with the big dogs, you may want to find a different spot to visit. However, if your pooch plays well with all, then this is a great spot for a relaxing afternoon. This park is mostly sand, so keep that in mind when selecting footwear, and be ready to vacuum out the sand from inside your car. You'll also find several water fountains with dog bowls, so if you forget to bring your pooch some water, you'll still be covered. However, there aren't usually plastic bags here, so this is one place that you'll definitely want to remember to have a pocket full of bags for cleanup.

Related: Top Dog Walking Trails In Denver

Kennedy Dog Park
3600 S. Dayton St.
Denver, CO 80231
www.denvergov.org

Kennedy is on the smaller side but with two fenced areas for both large and small dogs, it's a great place to visit with pups of any size. It's a little tough to find, but if you drive around behind the nearby WalMart, you'll see the entrance. Another caution is that this park is mostly dirt, so after it rains or snows, it can be a pretty muddy adventure. There is also not too much shade, so it's a better option for cooler days in Denver. Bring your own water and bags here, and you'll have a great time at the Kennedy Dog Park. With lots of extra parking and plenty of space to run around, it's a fun place to work out all that pent-up energy on a sunny afternoon.

Berkeley Dog Park
4800 Sheridan Blvd
Denver, CO 80212
www.denvergov.org

Berkeley Dog Park is about two acres in size with a separate area for smaller and larger dogs. There is a lot of dirt and grass, so be mindful of the weather, as you may have some mud to wipe off paws before you go back home. There is also no water or bags provided, so be sure to bring your own. However, you'll find lots of great space to run around, and it's a fun park to visit if you happen to live in the area. This spot is pretty close to Lakeside Amusement Park, so if you like the sounds of roller coasters in the background, you'll love the atmosphere of the Berkeley Dog Park. If you aren't a fan of that particular sound, you may want to visit elsewhere.

Related: Top Parks To Walk Your Dog In Denver

Forsberg Iron Spring Dog Park
14800 W. Alameda Parkway
Denver, CO 80228
www.denvergov.org

At four acres, this large dog park is always a popular spot to visit. You'll love the agility area where dogs can practice running around and jumping on things like seesaws, ramps and tunnels. There is also running water provided in the summer, but it's turned off in the winter, so keep that in mind when you head down. There are beautiful views, lots of grass and rolling hills to really wear out your pooch. There are even restrooms here, so if you find yourself there for a few hours, you'll be covered. Forsberg Iron Spring Dog Park also has two separate spots for the big and small pups, and both areas are fenced in. If you live in the area, or even if you are willing to drive, this is a wonderful place to bring your pooch for some quality outdoor fun.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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