James Hunter Dog Park
James Hunter Dog Park is a spacious and friendly dog park located conveniently near Clarendon in Arlington. It offers ample room for dogs to run and socialize in a well-maintained environment with seating areas on both sides, although the ground is sandy with some drainage issues and the park lacks sufficient shade. The park is wheelchair accessible and a great place for dog owners looking for an urban space where all dogs are welcome.
Reviews
Really nice dog park with sitting areas on both sides. Dog area is large with sandy ground and a wading pool. I like to sit and read in at the seats
7/30/21 waterfall off and blocked off
Convenient location but just a giant litterbox if not for the waterfall. The sand is very gravelly and just reflects all the heat, plus absorbs all the pee, making the whole park smell pretty bad when the wind brings it toward you.
Poor drainage. These photos were taken a couple days after we had a light snow. The dogs pee and poop in the water and then play in it and even drink it. We can’t go to the park on days like this without throwing our dog in the bath immediately afterward.
The good thing about this park is that it’s convenient for a lot of people. However, it could really benefit from better design.
Besides the drainage, two other areas where it could improve include 1) the sand. The sand isn’t pleasant and I think it prevents a lot of the park from being used, since people and dogs alike do not venture to the far end of the park often, and 2) lack of shade. I think this park could really benefit from additional shade during the summer. There really is no shade.
Full transparency I don’t have a dog. However i did stop here a couple times to take a breather during a long walk and from what I have observed from outside the fence in a random little picnic area, if you do have a dog then they would probably enjoy this park. There’s plenty of room, lots of other dogs to play with and it’s pretty well maintained. And if you don’t have a dog it’s a pretty chill little area in general.
Always a fun place to go with a great location to Clarendon. Dogs have always been friendly. I know there’s been incidents but never witnessed one myself. Facilities are mostly maintained. Some maintenance issues in the past with the waterfall and door lock (still needs to be fixed) but overall a very good dog park with ample room for dogs to run which is hard to find in urban neighborhoods. Definitely worth a visit. The locals who go here are friendly and are the dogs. All dogs welcome and are mixed which makes it more fun.