Greenway Park :

Many park goers will love the looped running and walking trails, small climbing wall, and community garden, but pet lovers will be visiting for the designated dog park. The three-acre dog park offers multiple entrances along its fully fenced area, but it is a bring your own water and doggy bag space.

Potential visitors should know that they can unleash their pooches inside the dog park, but it is not separated by size or temperament of the dogs. Smaller dogs may find themselves outsized by other visitors, so your first visit should be a test run with close supervision.

Central Park :

Central Park, one of the best known eighty acres in Denver and the Stapleton area, offers every activity you can imagine. Check out their indoor facilities, playgrounds with climbing boulders, athletic fields, and even a sledding hill. For sheer diversity of things to do, Central Park is the place to be, especially if you are working on socialization with your pup.

While there is no fenced area for your friendly furry, the walking, biking and jogging trails offer you plenty of options for places to walk and jog. Enjoy an outing in the fresh air at any pace, just be sure to bring your own water and doggy bags.

Prairie Gateway Open Space :

Rocky Mountain National Wildlife Refuge adjacent, the Prairie Open Space offers wide open vistas and an excellent view of nature. As no dogs are allowed (leashed or

otherwise) into the Wildlife Refuge next door, this is an excellent alternative to going off into the wild blue yonder of Colorado. The Prairie Gateway Open Space is located in the far North end of Stapleton, so it may be a drive for some.

The 190 acres offers just under two and a half miles of soft surface perimeter trails to walk or run with your leashed pooch, with plenty of shelters, benches and overlooks to take breaks in. Most visitors recommend hitting this space during the sunrise or sunset times as the horizon is one of the best features of this park.

Stapleton Dog Park :

One of the best places for wide open running in a fenced area, dogs will love visiting the Stapleton Dog Park. This sandy space often hosts multiple larger breed dogs who run from one end to the other, either in groups or singly. While all breeds and sizes are welcome, there is no separate space for those who are smaller or less outgoing, so gauge your pets’ personality and endurance before coming. As the terrain is very sandy, you may need to schedule a grooming run right after to avoid bringing the dust home.

The Stapleton Dog Park is seamlessly fenced with a few green patches and very few mature trees, making it excellent for running off extra energy. Pet parents will want to bring their own water and doggy bags to join in the play. Those looking for the local connection will love this spot as it is a favorite of the neighbors and functions as an informal social club.

Pocket Parks:

One of the solutions to Stapleton housing having limited backyard space is the placement of multiple pocket parks, or small neighborhood public spaces. These charming parks are often limited in size but are typically located only a few blocks away from any location and often include unique facilities.

As mentioned before, Pizza Park is a public park located in a Northfield Stapleton neighborhood, and offers a green playing space and outdoor pizza oven for anyone who wants it. Sharpetz Park, on the Southern side of Stapleton, is a pleasant green space for nearby dog walkers to enjoy a quiet stroll. No matter where you live in Stapleton, you are sure to find a green space to stretch your legs (and paws) just around the corner, which is exactly why pocket parks are so ingenious. For more information about pocket parks in your area, check out the Stapleton community webpage for a full list.

Please always keep in mind that your dog must be leashed and under control at all times when in a public area. The only exception to this is when in designated, and fenced, dog parks. While some may feel comfortable letting their pets off leash in open areas, not all your fellow park-goers may feel the same way, even if you have an exceptionally friendly and well-behaved dog. Also, remember to pick up after your dog, even if they choose a grassy area for their leavings.

Want to learn how Denver Dog Joggers takes advantage of Stapleton (and other neighborhood) parks to get your pooch out and about in the area they know best? Contact us for a trial dog jog to see how we get along and where we find to take your dog.

By Lauren Pescarus