March 30th is Take a Walk in the Park Day. Here are some local dog friendly parks to visit with your dog. Please double check park rules before visiting with your dog. While exploring please be a responsible dog owner--Obey leash laws, clean up after your pet, watch your dog, and keep your dog up to date on shots. Please don't bring dogs that aren't well socialize, ill, females in heat, or young unvaccinated dogs as these may pose a risk to your dog or other dogs visitors.
#1 Parvin State Park | Pittsgrove
This hidden gem is located just outside the Pine Barrens. Parvin State Park offers nine different trails (ranging from .35 miles to 3 miles) for walking, jogging or biking totaling more than 15 miles all together. Dogs are welcome, but must be on leash no longer than 6 feet in length and under control. Park and forest staff ask that pets are kept away from all buildings, swimming beaches, swimming waters, non-designated pet friendly campsites and overnight facilities.
Parvin State Park also offers Pet Friendly Campsites which are limited to two domestic dogs or cats per site. There is an additional charge for pet friendly sites.
#2 Riverwinds Nature Trail | Thorofare
This 1-mile loop is an easy trail. This is a popular trail for hiking, birding, and running. Trees are marked along the way with their varieties. Wildlife viewing is best in the early morning. Not only is there tons of wildlife to be found, you will also view airplanes landing across the river and large ships navigating the water. There is also a kayak launch. Guests are asked to keep dogs on leash, to be respectful of the wildlife, and to pick up after their dog.
#3 William Wilt Soccer Complex | Mullica Hill
Dogs are now permitted at William Wilt Soccer Complex. William Wilt Soccer Complex offers a mile walking path. All dogs should use a leash no greater than 6 feet in length. Park staff asks that dogs do not run free, dogs must prosses a valid license tag, and for owners to clean up after their dog. Plans are in the works to build a fenced in dog park.
This park offers playground with a handicap accessible swing, soccer fields, pavilions, and a gazebo.
#4 Timber Creek Park | Deptford
This half a mile loop trail is a quiet little spot for walking, running and hiking. There is a touch of a inclined. It has a nice view of the creek and plenty of benches. Leash dogs are welcome.
#5 Monroe Township Bikeway | Glassboro
The Monroe Township Bikeway is one of the rail-trails supported by Rails-To-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit organization). Rails-To-Trails Conservancy is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. This trail is 6.36 miles, however there are several designated access points where you can park if you do want to walk the full trail. The trail begins at Delsea and Manor Drive in Glassboro and continues to Bluebell Road in Williamstown. The path continues through a combination of residential areas, woods and playing fields. This mostly flat, paved structure is easily prance-able for your pooch. The trail staff just asks that dogs are kept on leash.
#6 Oldman's Creek Preserve | Auburn
This property was formerly used as a summer residence from 1913 to 1938, then became known as Boy Scout Camp Kimble from 1938-1967. It was purchased in 1967 and operated as the MacKannan family campground, until 1982. In 2009, the property was then acquired by the South Jersey Land & Water Trust.
This preserve has a 39-acre forest which has multiple trails for hiking, bird watching, and kayaking access. The preserve is home to multiple well marked trails, labeled trees, and nice creek views. The trail staff just asks that dogs are kept on leash.
#7 Timber Creek Pooch Park | Blackwood
Timber Creek Park is hidden underneath trees, giving you the feeling of being in a treehouse. This shady park is home to 60 acres of wooded area. You will find many dog friendly trails where leashed dogs are welcome. Hidden away you will find a small swimming lake along the trail. Nested in the park you will find a 9 acre fenced in dog park for off leashed fun, giving you the perfect opportunity for some training. The fenced in area also has a trail around the perimeter of it so your dog can enjoy their walk off leash.
This park offers playgrounds, restrooms, picnic tables and benches throughout.
#8 Alcyon Park | Pitman
Once known as home to boating, a boardwalk, a bath house, a merry-go-round, bowling alleys, a casino, a roller-skating rink, horse and car racing and other amusements is now home to sport fields, a play ground, a boat launch, and walking trail. This easy route is just under 1-mile long loop. The park offers scenery from Alcyon Lake and the new disc golf course in the Alcyon Woods. Staff ask that dogs are kept on leash and clean up after them.
#9 Ceres Park | Mantua
This park was named after the goddess that appears on the New Jersey state flag. This 52 acre park is home to a thriving community of nature life, making it a great spot for photography. You can find a mile long walking trail from the parking lot. The trail crisscrosses many less defined trails giving beautiful lake views. Park staff just asks that dogs stay on leash.
#10 Ella Harris Park | Mullica Hill
Dogs are now permitted at Ella Harris Park. Ella Harris Park offers an easy loop walking path with plenty of benches and doggie waste stations. All dogs should use a leash no greater than 6 feet in length. Park staff asks that dogs do not run free, dogs must prosses a valid license tag, and for owners to clean up after their dog.
This park offers playground with a handicap accessible swing, playground, ball fields, basketball courts, chess tables, pickleball court, tennis court, pavilions, and a gazebo.
#11 Cedar Lake Park | Washington Township
The once known Washington Township Lake dog park has been moved to Cedar Lake Park. The new location includes a dog friendly walking path for dogs on leash and fenced in dog park for off leash fun. The new park also has fishing piers at the lake and a scenic walking path around the lake. Cedar Lake Park actually connects to Washington Lake Park via a short Butterfly trail, however, no dogs are allowed beyond the entrance. At the Cedar Lake Park, guests are asked to keep dogs on a leash until in the fenced in area, to clean up after their dogs, and that handlers must be 16 years old or older.
#12 Tall Pines State Preserve | Mantua
Tall Pines was once a popular golf course. It is now Gloucester County's first state-owned park. Asphalt golf cart paths still remain making it easy to walk (section of mowed grass are used to make walking paths in a few place). Presently, two routes are officially marked. The Perimeter trail is a 2.37 mile loop while the Red Trail is .5 mile loop found on the Deptford side of the park. This 110 acres of grassland, woodland, small ponds and wetlands serves as home to number of bird species. Park Staff ask that owners keep dogs on leashes, 6 foot or shorter, and clean up after their dog.
#13 Marlton Park | Pilesgrove
Marlton Park is home to 62 acres. The park features pavilions, multiple playgrounds, youth sport fields, exercise equipment and multiple paved walking loop paths. There are three walking paths to choose from-- two of which are just over a mile, and one is slightly under a mile long. Park staff just asks that dogs are to be kept on leash and you clean up after them.
Kathlyn Lawrence of All Jazzed Up Pet Services LLC is a Certified Professional Trainer (CPT) with years of experience training dogs and working with animals. For more information on our Pet Services please visit our website.
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