Monroe Ave Dog Park - Alexandria, VA
Monroe Ave Dog Park – Alexandria, VA
Located at 561 E Monroe Ave in the heart of Alexandria, Virginia, Monroe Ave Dog Park is a popular gathering spot for local dog owners seeking a dedicated, well-maintained space for their pets to play. Known for its welcoming community atmosphere and pet-friendly design, this dog park is easily accessible – including wheelchair accommodations – and attracts both residents and visitors alike. The park offers separate areas for small and large dogs, giving each pet the room and safety they need to roam and socialize off-leash. A newly installed netting ensures added security for dogs, especially smaller breeds.
Parking is available nearby, making it easy to visit even during busy times. However, owners should note that the park sits on a hill with limited shade during the summer and can get windy in winter. While the gravel surface may not be ideal for all pets, the park is known for being generally clean and maintained. The friendly environment, regular visitors, and proximity to local cafes like Swing Coffee next door (with restrooms for human visitors) help make Monroe Ave Dog Park a favorite for those looking for a pet-friendly destination in Alexandria.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash in the designated areas.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, the park is fenced and recently upgraded with additional netting for security.
- Is there a separate area for small and large dogs? Yes, Monroe Ave Dog Park has dedicated areas for both small and large dogs.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the entrance is wheelchair accessible.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Seating is provided.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Shade is limited, with only a small shaded area in the park.
- Is parking available? Yes, there is plentiful parking nearby.
- Are there pet-friendly cafes or stores close to the park? Yes, Swing Coffee is next door and pet-friendly.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, reviews mention the park is kept clean and well maintained.
Reviews
Gravel surface is poor for the dogs compared to grass and dirt. Virtually no shade in the summer, dogs cluster in the small shaded area and pant. A wind tunnel for cold in the winter between two buildings. Look elsewhere if you can, the city has closed the park across the street for a year.
Nice well maintained dog park with a separate section for small dogs. They recently put up netting to ensure dogs can’t escape outside of the park through the fencing. Still easy to get into the larger dog area from the small dog area so would love to see the netting extend there as well, but otherwise this park is great
We share the same concern as a prior post with the extra wide spacing of the fencing. Our 12 pound Yorkiepoo walked through with ease, and it freaked us out. We were focusing on making sure the other dogs would be compatible but never thought to check the fencing. The street is about 15 yards away. Otherwise, it’s a really great park. Friendly dogs and people, not too crowded, soft gravel, clean, limited parking spots, but no trash cans specific for dogs. And a great coffee shop next door (Swing Coffee) with bathrooms.
As a resident of the nearby apartments, I agree with the earlier review that whoever allowed this dog park to be built in this location should be fired. While a dog lover myself, many inconsiderate owners utilize this park with their exceedingly obnoxious, overly vocal dogs very early in the morning (7-730am on weekends is common). It’s very disruptive to the several hundred residential units directly next door. Many of us would appreciate owners of vocal dogs instead utilizing the larger dog park across Monroe Ave and a further distance from where so many live. A gentle reminder to owners that barking dogs before 9am on weekends in a residential area is also a violation of the City’s noise ordinance.
Popular, well maintained dog park. We have a smaller dog and there are mostly bigger dog here (there is a park for smaller dogs across the street). Plentiful parking nearby and nice group of people who frequent this park. Only complaint is it is on a hill and if our dog who is small goes to the top we cannot see him so we need to physically follow him.