Lakeland Area Dog Parks
One of the many reasons the Greater Lakeland area is so appealing to live in is because the city loves your pets! In 2018, National Geographic named Lakeland as the most dog friendly small city in the U.S..
And as always, Lakeland does things in unique style!! Stay with me, because today we're going to take a look at a few of Lakeland's newest dog parks that I'm sure will give you pause if you "Pawz"..lol
If you remember my video on Lakeland golf courses, I talked about one called Cleveland Heights golf course. But did you know that there is a dog park built
right in the middle of the course? Last year the city built a three and a half acre dog park right in the middle of Cleveland Heights Golf Course and they named it Dogleg Woods.. but why they named it Dogleg Woods..
Dogleg Woods is Lakeland's second off-leash dog park built on a dogleg turn in the course. Amenities include mulched shaded areas, canopy oaks, water stations for both man and beast, also lots of room to run and play and catch those balls and frisbees. There's also a wash station so we could clean those paws off before the ride home. In
addition, there's separate areas for our larger breeds to separate from our
pint-sized pups.
But that's not all!.. when you and your furry friend have had enough fun in the park for the day head over to the Cleveland Heights pet friendly patio for a quick cold drink
and a bite to eat. Check it out!
Our next stop is Lake Crago dog Park..... Lake Crago Park itself is a hundred and
nineteen acre park located off of Lakeland Hills Boulevard just south of the Hollis Cancer Center. The park is bounded by Lake Parker, Little Lake Parker ,Lake Crago, Crego canal,
and also Hourglass Lake. All accessible for kayaking. boating and fishing and More.
Dog owners are still unaware
that this park even opened in 2015 on the north side of Lakeland. Lake Crago dog park was part of phase 1 of Lake Crago park it includes clean restrooms for humans and drinking fountains for our four-legged friends. Phase 2 is expected open up sometime
next year, it's going to include an outdoor recreation center that can accommodate 300, a small amphitheater and more. So if you live on the north side and you and your
canine companion have not yet checked out Lake Crago dog park grab a ball or frisbee and head out for a couple of hours of fun with your furry friend.
Next up is the Diogi dog park.... Of course we have to mention Diogi Dog Park. It may not be the fanciest dog park in town, but it certainly is the most sentimental. On July 14, 2007, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd along with deputy Matt Williams family dedicated Polk counties first dog park located off Carter Road at Loyce Harpe Park. This park was built in memory of deputy Matt Williams in his canine partner Diogi.
On September 28 2006, Diogi showed his unconditional loyalty to Matt Williams
by trying to protect him. But sadly,both of them did not survive the gunman's
brutal attack.... Sheriff Grady Judd said it best when he said this park was built
with canine and family bonding in mind that would teach gentle discipline and
respect for others. What a fitting tribute to deputy Matt Williams and Diogi.
So the next time you take your canine friend to Diogi Park, take a moment to
remember deputy Matt Williams and his faithful partner Diogi.
And finally for our downtown dwellers... there is going to be an awesome dog park
opening soon right downtown and they're gonna call it 'Central Bark'. With more and
more people especially Millennials, who are wanting that downtown lifestyle
living experience. Once again Lakeland has heard you! With more and more
residents coming to live downtown so are their fur babies. And until now there
really wasn't anywhere for those fur babies to run and play. Central Bark is
being built right across Lake Mirror and it's going to be a one-of-a-kind,
state-of-the-art dog park. The unique park won't have any grass.. it's going to
have artificial turf that will never wear out. There's going to be hills and moguls statues, neon lights and more for your pup to run and play on. And a cost of over three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, our Lakeland furry friends will finally have their own posh playground.