Dog Parks
Birmingham is a great area for the outdoors, and that includes animals. We love to get out and be active, and there is no shortage of places in the Birmingham area to get out and exercise your dog. Here are some of our favorites!
1. Cahaba Dog Park, 531 Cherokee Drive, Trussville | trussvilledogparks.com
This park is the result of a successful public/private partnership in Trussville. What started as an online conversation among several like-minded Trussville citizens grew into a 1.5-acre off-leash park behind Spradling Field. Only dogs are allowed; dog handlers must be 16 years or older, and all dogs must be vaccinated. For more info, visit them online.
2. Beneful Dream Dog Park, 7305 Highway 119, Alabaster | cityofalabaster.com
This $500,000 dog park opened in 2012, after former Shelby Humane executive director Jenny McInerney submitted a video and essay for a nationwide contest sponsored by Beneful. The dog park is inside Veterans Park in Alabaster and includes splash pads, exercise games, rings, and dedicated spaces for large and small dogs alike.
3. Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain, 2011 Frankfurt Drive, Birmingham | redmountainpark.org/remys-dog-park
This is the largest dog park in Alabama, with more than 6 acres of shaded space with benches, and large areas for running and playing with your dog. It was recognized by Southern Living as one of the “10 Great Southern Dog Parks.”
4. Bark Park, 2408 Stouts Road, Fultondale | fultondale.com/parks
This dedicated dog park sits adjacent to a children’s park in the city of Fultondale, and features large fenced areas for large and small dogs alike. Just outside the park is a creek that many dogs enjoy on hot days.
5. The Dog Park at Loch Haven, 3437 Loch Haven Drive, Hoover | hooveral.org
Situated on 17 acres, this public dog park in Hoover features fenced areas for small and large dogs alike, a 0.4 mile walking track, an obstacle course for dogs, and a covered pavilion perfect for picnics.
6. Green Springs Dog Park | 1871 Green Springs Highway, Birmingham | birminghamal.gov
This dog park, located on 2.6 fenced-in acres, was one of the first public dog parks in the area, dedicated in 2009 by the city of Birmingham. The park includes double gates and dividers for large and small dogs.
7. Irondale Dog Park | 301 Ruffner Road, Irondale | cityofirondale.gov
Originally located at the Station at Grants Mill shopping center, Irondale moved its dog park in early 2018 to Ruffner Park.
8. Pelham Barks and Recreation Dog Park | 2020 Pelham Park Blvd, Pelham | pelhamalabama.gov
Opened in September 2018, this park includes 0.2-acre small dog and 0.75-acre large dog areas separated by a 10-foot buffer. Pet owners can relax while their pets play, and dog waste stations are installed to help ensure cleanliness.
9. Hueytown Dog Park | Intersection of Hillside Drive, Hueytown Road, and Forest Road | hueytownal.gov
Hueytown’s first dog park, built on a former walking track, opened in early 2019. There are separate areas for small dogs and large dogs (over 35 lbs.), and a double gate to ensure animal safety while entering and exiting the off leash areas.
10. Mountain Brook Dog Park | 3503 Overton Road, Mountain Brook | mtnbrook.org
Mountain Brook opened the area’s 10th dog park in August 2019. The city had long considered adding a dog park, but it wasn’t until a group of high school students in the Leadership Mountain Brook program took on the project, that the park became a reality.
Other outdoor spots
These are some other great places where dogs are welcomed on a leash. Note: this list is not exhaustive; share your favorite parks with us by emailing us at matthew@jbmcmedia.com.
Horse Creek Trail, 4013 Highway 78, Dora
Moss Rock Preserve, 617 Preserve Way, Hoover
Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham
Railroad Park, 1700 1st Avenue South, Birmingham
Rhodes Park, 2801 Highland Court, Birmingham
Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, 1214 81st Street South, Birmingham
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, 3906 Turkey Creek Road, Pinson