The Chevy Trax offers style and practicality, perfect for making every drive fun for the whole family.
The summer season in Michigan is what makes this state bearable—when we’re cursing at the ice and snow all winter long, all you have to do is remind yourself how beautiful the summer months are and it’s all worth it. Spending as much time as humanly possible outdoors throughout the warm months are only made better one way: by doing so with your dog.
While quite the troublemaker, my pup is the cutest thing my eyes ever did see, and she’s my little pal. If you too have an unmatched bond with a furry, four-legged friend, I’m sure you enjoy spending your free time with him or her as well! What better way to do so in the summer than at a dog park or beach? Let’s take a look at a few options…
Dog Parks
PetSmart P.U.P.’s Detroit Dog Park, located in Detroit’s Corktown area, is the city’s first and only official dog park. Having just opened in May, the leash-free park is free and open to the public. Keep in mind that since the park just got up and running, there isn’t yet a water source on the premises, so you’ll want to bring along a travel bowl for your pup.
The park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and all dog breeds are welcome!
The Clinton Township Dog Park, located in the Civic Center Park, is open from dawn until dusk every day. The fenced-in area spans 1.5 acres and requires a park pass, which costs $9 for residents and $18 for non-residents. Once you have your key fob (a one time only $10 fee, in addition to the yearly one) to enter the park in hand, you and your pup can enjoy human and puppy drinking fountains, a special play area for small dogs, benches to relax on and more.
Wagner Park Dog Run, is located north of 12 Mile Road between Rochester Road and Main Street in the city of Royal Oak. This park will have your dog’s tail a-wagging, but pet owners beware: this dog run is not fenced in, so bring only your impeccably trained canine to this one. Others might want to stick to the fenced in parks for safety reasons!
The park is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., so keep your dog run activity between those hours.
Midtown Detroit Dog Park, located at the corner of Cass Avenue and West Canfield, just opened last month courtesy of local company Shinola, as well as partners Midtown Detroit, Inc., Cass Corridog and Canine to Five Detroit. This one is Detroit’s second official dog park, not to get confused with the previously listed Detroit Dog Park that opened one-month prior.
Shinola hosted a grand opening at the end of June, so you and Fluffy can play in the park to your heart’s content. This one is so brand spankin’ new, it doesn’t even have an official website yet, so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for that.
Dog Lakes & Ponds
Orion Oaks Dog Park, located on Joslyn Road in Orion Township, has 24-acres of land for your pup to frolic on, in addition to Lake Sixteen, where Spot or Fido can jump in for a refreshing dip. Bring along a toy or gather a few sticks and help get your best bud some exercise. Unfortunately, the lake is only for dogs, so you can’t get in there with them, if that’s something you were interested in doing in the first place.
The park is open from 8 a.m. until a half an hour before sunset.
Mill Pond Park, located in Saline, includes a one-acre dog park. The area is fenced on three sides, with a river running along the fourth side. This park is a great place to let your pup run free, and she can cool off when she starts to overheat.
There’s plenty of space for your dog to run free, and you can both enjoy an afternoon of sunshine, from dawn to dusk.
Be sure to check with each dog park to see whether or not you need any sort of registration or proof of vaccinations before you go. Once you’ve got that squared away, you and your furry best friend will be ready for a beautiful afternoon of fun!
