Nobody and nothing can outromp a dog.
Yet urban life is a life of near-constant canine restraint. Dog owners seeking a few golden minutes or hours of unleashed joy are on a quest for the perfect spot. The sun shone enough last month to allow at least one city dog to get out and stretch her legs in the best dog parks and off-leash areas in the region.
To be sure, the Internet serves up many listings of off-leash dog parks, but addresses and directions are sometimes sketchy. One could end up — as I did — at the wrong park on “Fifth,” arguing about access to a police-dog training facility with a federal security guard who wants to see some credentials.
And some places are just not worth the trip. Here is a sampling and our picks for the best in the metro area, rated on a four-star scale.
Unless otherwise indicated, park hours are generally sunrise to sundown. Most parks are not lit, or at least not well-lit. It’s always a good idea to take water and poop-disposal bags. Even though some parks provide both, you can’t count on a supply of either.
