🐾 Kids at the Dog Park: Real Stories, Safety Risks & Smarter Solutions
If you’ve spent time at an off-leash park, you’ve probably seen it:A parent strolls in with a stroller 🚼 or […]
Located in the heart of Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey, Cooper River Dog Park is a popular spot for dog owners seeking a safe, friendly, and free dog park experience. This fenced-in off-leash dog park offers separate areas for large and small dogs, with a mulched and gravel surface for larger breeds and turf and grass for smaller pups. Cooper River Park itself is part of a larger 345+ acre area renowned for its beautiful pet-friendly trails and abundant biodiversity, making it a great launchpad for dog-friendly hiking and nature walks in South Jersey.
The park features convenient amenities such as ample parking, water stations for thirsty pups, picnic tables, benches, and a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot. Owners praise the clean, well-kept space and the friendly, welcoming community, although some reviews mention concerns about the gate design between dog areas for small dog safety. The park is great for kids and dogs alike, providing plenty of room to play and relax.
It was our first time at a dog park. Sam, my little buddy, came from a rescue down in Florida. He is 8 years old and his first 5 ½ years were with a very abusive ‘owner’ and 2 ½ years at the rescue. He’s very shy and easily anxious. I’m trying to get him used to other people and other dogs. Everyone, the people and dogs, that we met at the dog park were very friendly, kind, and patient with Sam. And the dog park itself was very clean and well kept!
This park is very dangerous for small dogs. It’s badly designed. The fence that separates the big dogs from the small has a fence door that opens easily, it’s not locked. Unfortunately I did not see it and while my Westie was happily walking around, two Pitt Bulls got through and attacked my dog. The owners were slow to respond while I screamed for them to grab their dogs. One of the dogs had a shock collar and the owner finally activated it but the second dog continued to attack my dog. My husband had to kick the dog, went behind it and pulled on the collar until the dog let go. My dog lost some hair from the top of head (see picture). I’m so grateful that he survived the attack, thanks to my husband’s quick action. The park has a sign warning that dogs that do not socialize properly should not be in the park. I don’t blame the dog, I blame the owner for his poor judgment and the park’s bad design. There should be no connection between the two areas. The park is lovely and clean and most pet owners are friendly but it’s a risk for small dogs. I will never go back.
It was my dog’s first time socializing with other dogs .It went well, not too crowded, well behaved dogs. Nice clean space for her to run and explore
Free dog park. Plenty of parking. Two separated areas… one for large dogs, other for small dogs. Large dog area is gravel & mulch. Small dog area is turf & grass. Water station at park entrance. Benches for ppl to sit. 3pm on a Wednesday no one here but me 👍🏽
Beautiful anchor location from which to begin exploration or the entire park (which is of substantial size). It’s breadth spans 345+ acres – from Pennsauken to Haddonfield! Plenty to do and see! The biodiversity is especially remarkable.