Dog Parks
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out dog parks events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the dog parks events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find dog parks events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Dog Parks Events Today
Join in-person Dog Parks events happening right now
A DC meetup at Dumbarton Oaks
PawsUP for David and Brick for originally suggesting this awesome meetup and our dogs love it!
-Dumbarton Oaks/Montrose Park in Georgetown
-Meet at the entrance off of R st, on the East side (closer to the cemetery)
-Plenty of street parking in the area
-Bring water and a ball for your Aussie
This park is a very large open field, that is very dog friendly. Tons of space to run and chase. Most if not all dogs are off leash. Occasional runners and kids (there is a playground), so keep that in mind. There is also a trail inside with a stream that the dogs love to play in.
2026 ALEXANDRIA ST. PADDY's Ballyshaners PARADE
Join us for our first ever St. Patty's day parade march in the annual Old Town Alexandria Ballyshaners's Parade.
We are confirmed with details on line up and parade route pending.
https://ballyshaners.org/
Parade staging will be 11:00-11:45 to begin marching the 10 block route at 12:30. I encourage you to come closer to 11:45 but please account for parking time if you plan on driving in instead of walking/metro'ing in. Our staging will be on the sidewalk since we do not have a vehicle/float this year. Please be as festive as possible. with the St. Patty's day theme. We are Welsh but that hasn't stopped us for Scottish Parade and it certainly doesn't stop us for an Irish theme!
We should be marching at "normal adult walking pace" for 10 city blocks (30 min consistent walking) so for those of you with elderly corgis please bring a stroller for them to keep pace. We are encouraged to use metro since the staging area is a short walk from the King Street metro. I will send out additional instructions once we get them. For now the only major instructions is that we are not allowed to throw things at the crowd (candy etc) and that we should not have alcohol. Expect it to be fairly loud since there will be plenty of bands and bagpipe players. Parade "ends when it ends" but they expect it won't drag out longer than 1:30-2 pm.
The Washington Pug Meetup Group Monthly Meetup
Hey everyone,
Pugs, Puggles, and all pug-loving four-legged siblings are welcome!
The Meetup is in the front "Puppy" area which is fenced off as you walk into the dog park from the Shirlington side.
Pug Hugs,
CB
Impromptu Coffee in the Park
Looks like it won’t be freezing or raining on Saturday so let’s go outside!
Cross-posted with Arlington Coffee and Chill, come hang out in Quincy park, sip your morning beverage of choice, and meet new people! There are 3 coffee shops within walking distance (Bad Ass coffee on the corner, Detour, and Starbucks) but no coffee required. No hard timelines, we’ll be there between 1015-1215, welcome to come when and as you can.
Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome!
St. Patrick's Day Parade from Jones Point Park
Alexandria is hosting its annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 7th! Let's take a walk around Old Town, and those inclined can linger longer to watch the parade.
❶ **What we'll do:**
* From the old ship's rudder under Wilson Bridge we'll check out the lighthouse and then head north along the shoreline to Madison Street, with a slight detour to walk through the Wilkes St Tunnel. At Madison St we'll turn left, walk west to N. Fairfax St, and head south back to the Torpedo Factory along Fairfax, Princess, and Union streets. After a pit stop at the Torpedo Factory, we'll head west to the parade route along Union and Queen streets. Pick your favorite viewing spot along N Pitt St; the reviewing stand is at the intersection of N Pitt and King streets and the parade starts at 12:15 pm. After the parade or whenever you have had enough, it's about a one mile walk back to Jones Point Park along King and Lee streets.
* The hike is just under 5 miles and should take about 2 hours, plus maybe an hour to watch the parade, at your discretion. The surface is fairly level, except for Windmill Hill, and is mostly paved. This is an easy walk.
* Google map of the hike and parade route: [https://tinyurl.com/we2jus8z](https://tinyurl.com/we2jus8z)
❷ **How to get there:** The park entrance is at the south end of South Royal Street in Old Town Alexandria. From Highway 1 (either direction), take Franklin Street east to Royal Street, turn right and drive south 3 blocks until the street ends in front of Wilson Bridge. The park entrance is on your left. The street address is 1 Jones Point Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314.
❸ **Weather:** The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 69F, with an 18% chance of showers as we start, falling to around 3% at parade start. Light S winds. Updates here: [https://tinyurl.com/yc4vjjnm](https://tinyurl.com/yc4vjjnm)
❹ **What to bring:** Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired. If you bring an umbrella or poncho it won't rain.
❺ **Advisory:** As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
❻ **Administrative stuff:**
* There are restrooms at Jones Point Park, the Torpedo Factory, and Ramsay Visitor Center.
* Parking at Jones Point Park is free and there is room for around 100 cars. ***DO NOT park along S Royal St at the entrance to the park! You may be towed!!***
❼ **Notes:**
* Jones Point Park: [http://tinyurl.com/pbyq733](http://tinyurl.com/pbyq733)
* St. Patrick's Day Parade: [https://ballyshaners.org/about/](https://ballyshaners.org/about/)
Saturday Easy Walk: 3 mile Paint Branch Trail
**Parking**: There are 3 parking lots adjacent to each other, so you will be able to use any one of the lots if there is an overflow.
Meeting Spot: Please wait near the "Dog Park" sign that is by the side of the parking lot that is closest to the trail head.
Bring plenty of water, whatever you need for your hike, and your awesome authentic self. Bring a **joke**.
**Trail Description**:
"Prince George's County's Paint Branch Trail (not to be confused with Montgomery County's Paint Branch Trail farther north) runs for 3.5 miles between Lake Artemesia and Cherry Hill Neighborhood Park in the Washington, DC, suburb of College Park. The trail is a part of the larger Anacostia Tributory Trail System, which provides miles of off-road paved paths along the various branches of the Anacostia River."
**RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT:**
By being a member of this Group, RSVPing to any Activity, or participating in any Activity, You accept and agree to the terms and conditions described below:
1. You acknowledge that hiking in nature carries the risk of potential harm to yourself, including the risk of injuries such as broken bones or muscle/tendon injuries, illness, disability, or death.
2. You agree that You will at all times be responsible for Yourself and Your own safety.
3. You release and hold harmless with respect to all injury, disability, death, or loss of property, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, this group's leadership and members for the hikes that you participate in.
4. You acknowledge and agree that this Group is merely a collection of friends or potential friends who enjoy doing
activities, and that in no event does any Organizer or Other Member assume any responsibility or liability for You.
5. You agree not to sue and to release, discharge, waive and hold harmless all organizers and other members from and against all liabilities, claims, demands, losses, damages, suits and proceedings, for negligence, carelessness or any other cause which you may have or that hereafter may accrue arising, resulting from or related to your membership in this group or participation in any activity.
Dog Parks Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Run and Get Dirty! Adult Dogs in the main park, puppies in the small dog park
Our regular Sunday meetup at the Shirlington Dog Park -- members start arriving around 10:15 a.m. You'll always find an Aussie to play with. There are 3 entrances, so wander the park -- the dogs will find each other!
For puppies, Shirlington has a small dog park within the larger dog park. It's the prefect place for your puppy to gain confidence and socialize with others. There is also plenty of room to run.
Just a reminder, the Dog Park is under attack by the Arlington County Board of Commissioners. While early plans to decrease the size of the park by 50% has been tabled, it's important to remind Arlington County how important this park is to dogs and owners. Here are links to the change.org petition and the Facebook page where you can get updates.
Shirlington Dog Park Page Petition: https://www.change.org/.../arlington-county-board-save...
Arlington County Board: Save the Shirlington Dog Park!
We love the Shirlington Dog Park -- it provides…
change.org
Shirlington Dog Park Page
Shirlington Dog Park Page Save the Dog Park Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/groups/696087663906890
Rachel Carson Greenway Trail
Questions/lost? Call 240-447-4796
Meeting location - https://maps.app.goo.gl/voNwinFikVNEdpL58
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/rachel-carson-trail
2.6mi Length
255ft Elevation gain
1–1.5hr Estimated time
Loop
This hidden gem is densely populated by numerous species of wildlife, high-quality forest and features spectacular rock and massive boulder outcropping throughout the park. This area remains undeveloped for some of the best hiking trails around! The Hawlings River passes through the park and almost the entire hike is along this beautiful river. Rachel Carson offers 650 acres of undisturbed wooded parkland and trails surrounding the Hawlings River in upper Montgomery County. Amenities: This is a "conservation park," which means there are no bathrooms and no water available. The trail is not well marked in some areas, downloading the map ahead of time is helpful for navigating.
Sundays In The Park series
We meet on Sundays at 8 a.m. for training runs on some of DC's best trails, including Rock Creek Park and the surrounding area. We typically meet at either Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, or Roosevelt Island, depending on the route.
Details of the weekly schedule can be found here: https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip
We hope you can join us for a run! All paces and levels of trail experience are welcome for these runs, which range in distance from 6 to 9 miles.
Daylight Savings Hike @ Huntley Meadows (easy)
Join us for an easy hike/walk at Huntley Meadows!
Huntley Meadows Park is a 1,554-acre regional park in Alexandria, Virginia that has three hiking trails: Cedar Trail, Deer Trail and Heron Trail.
Together, these three Huntley Meadows trails create a loop hike that is 1.8 miles long.
The parking area has room for at least 30 or 40 cars, but the lot can fill up quickly.
As a quick side note, on-leash dogs are allowed at Huntley Meadows Park, but only on the paved and gravel trails, not on any of the boardwalk sections.
Easy Hike: Capital Crescent Trail, only 3 miles
Below is the alltrails link to the hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/maryland/capital-crescent-trail
We will only be doing 3 miles overall in this hike, out and back.
Parking and Metro Access:
Park in the garage near 7150 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20815.
Or park on the streets----- street-parking is free on Sundays.
For metro: just get down at Bethesda metro station.
We will meet at the trailhead next to the Ourisman Honda, check out the photo section of this event for a visual of the location.
Bring plenty of water, whatever you need for your hike, and your awesome authentic self. Keep it easygoing.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT:
By being a member of this Group, RSVPing to any Activity, or participating in any Activity, You accept and agree to the terms and conditions described below:
1. You acknowledge that hiking in nature carries the risk of potential harm to yourself, including the risk of injuries such as broken bones or muscle/tendon injuries, illness, disability, or death.
2. You agree that You will at all times be responsible for Yourself and Your own safety.
3. You release and hold harmless with respect to all injury, disability, death, or loss of property, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, this group's leadership and members for the hikes that you participate in.
4. You acknowledge and agree that this Group is merely a collection of friends or potential friends who enjoy doing activities, and that in no event does any Organizer or Other Member assume any responsibility or liability for You.
5\. You agree not to sue and to release\, discharge\, waive and hold harmless all organizers and other members from and against all liabilities\, claims\, demands\, losses\, damages\, suits and proceedings\, for negligence\, carelessness or any other cause which you may have or that hereafter may accrue arising\, resulting from or related to your membership in this group or participation in any activity\.
Billy Goat B & C Trails, Olmsted Island, C&O Towpath - (Rating: B)
You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
**10.5 miles with 250 feet elevation gain.**
***Let's hike the recently reopened Billy Goat B trail which has been closed for several years. One of my favorite sections, I'm glad it's back!***
This is a beautiful area along the scenic C&O Canal National Historical Park towpath. This trek will include a hike on Billy Goat B & C trails with great views of the Potomac River, as well as the roaring waters of Olmsted Island and the Great Falls overlook. This route includes a very scenic section of the towpath.
**Description:**
We'll start our hike on Billy Goat C trail and hike until we connect with the C&O Canal towpath. We'll hike to the Tavern visitor center for lunch break before we reconnect with the towpath. and make our way to Olmsted Island and the Great Falls Overlook. We'll then resume on the towpath until we cross over the canal onto Berma Road for a short distance where we reconnect to the towpath at Angler's Inn parking area. We're back on the towpath where we will connect to Billy Goat B trail. Note: There is one stream crossing on Billy Goat B which is fairly easily crossed by stone stepping.
After completing Billy Goat B, we'll then connect back to the towpath and return to the trailhead parking.
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
**Bring:**
Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots on both Billy Goat B & C.
Restrooms are available at the Carderock Picnic Area parking lot where we start as well as at the Tavern Visitor Center. Hiking poles may be useful if you normally use them.
**Trailhead:**
We will meet in the Carderock Picnic Grounds parking lot in Carderock Recreation Area.
Please plan on being there at 8:45am so we can get everyone signed in and start the hike on time.
**Dogs are welcome.**
Dog Policy [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy)
***Please note: Dogs are not allowed on the Olmsted Island boardwalk, so you will have to wait while the group completes the Olmsted Island walk***.
**There are no fees.**
Map of Hiking Trails at Great Falls, Maryland:
[https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-Hiking-Map.pdf](https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-Hiking-Map.pdf)
**Directions to Carderock Picnic Grounds Parking at Carderock Recreation Area:**
From I-495, take the exit for Clara Barton Pkwy, continue on the Pkwy until you see the exit for Carderock near the Naval Surface Warfare Center. After exiting at Carderock, you will pass under the towpath tunnel. Turn left after going under the towpath tunnel and continue into the picnic grounds parking lot.
**GPS 38.97122, -77.19874**
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
Dog Parks Events Near You
Connect with your local Dog Parks community
Sunday at Highbanks Metro Park
We will meet next to the restrooms at the [Big Meadows Picnic Area](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/HBK_Web_1980.png). They're all the way at the back of the park, and they can be found at coordinates [40°09'06.6"N 83°02'30.2"W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B009'06.6%22N+83%C2%B002'30.2%22W/@40.151828,-83.0423587,214m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zNDDCsDA5JzA4LjAiTiA4M8KwMDEnNDUuMSJX!8m2!3d40.1522222!4d-83.0291944!3m3!8m2!3d40.151827!4d-83.041715?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (near the playground and the zip line).
We'll hike about 5 miles at [Highbanks Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/highbanks/) on the Dripping Rock and Overlook Trails. Afterward, we'll head over to [Olentangy River Brewing](https://www.olentangybrew.com/) for drinks, coffee, or food (their Sunday [food truck](https://www.olentangybrew.com/eventsandfood) is Venezuelan and always gets good reviews).
The actual address of the brewery is [303 Green Meadows Dr S, 43035](https://www.google.com/maps/place/303+Green+Meadows+Dr+S,+Lewis+Center,+OH+43035/@40.1551938,-83.0144045,17.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838f395cef06c97:0xe407de61b3e30069!8m2!3d40.1551765!4d-83.0124352!16s%2Fg%2F11c26jc7j9?entry=ttu). If you can't make the hike, we should be there by noon.
**How to find our starting point in Big Meadows:**
If you are new to Highbanks, the Big Meadows picnic area is 1.5 miles into the park just after you turn into the park off of U.S. Route 23. That is, after you enter the park, drive a mile and a half into the park. You will come to a crosswalk with a yield sign in the middle of it (this is not to be confused with the first such crosswalk you come to just in front of the Nature Center, which you arrive at maybe a quarter of a mile into the park).
Just after this second crosswalk, make a left. Then make another almost immediate left into the parking lot on your left. There you will see the jungle gym and the kiddie zip line to your left. I will be just in front of the restrooms just a bit further down from the jungle gym and picnic shelter; the restroom building will also be on your left.
Latin City Wednesday - Lucky Salsa Party
ATTIRE : GREEN
Feel the luck of the leprechaun this upcoming Latin City Wednesday. Wear you GREEN or you get pinched 😉. Charming you with the best selection of Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Cha Cha Chá that you can muster. Feel free to bring your own enticing drinks as well.
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Viva Dance Columbus
(2809 Festival Lane Dublin, OH 43017)
830pm-930pm Casino Style Salsa Lessons
930pm-Midnight Open Latin Dance Party
$15 With the Lesson
$10 Open Dance Party Only
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Free Parking, No Need to Bring a dance partner, No Sandals Please and Plenty of Space to Move on the Dance Floor.
2026 season kickoff hike!
Join us for our inaugural hike of the 2026 season as we hike the first leg of the Big Walnut trail. We will leave from Morse Rd at Hanna Realty and hike 2 miles on a flat paved trail along Big Walnutl creek and looping Academy Park. See you Sunday at 3 pm!




























