Cooke Park - Gordonsville, VA
Cooke Park Dog Park in Gordonsville, Virginia
Cooke Park is a welcoming, neighborhood green space in Gordonsville, VA, offering a modest but enjoyable experience for dog owners seeking an off-leash dog park in town. The park is known for its fenced-in grassy area where dogs can play and socialize, making it a favorite local spot for both residents and visitors traveling along Route 33 or nearby I-64. While not a super fancy facility, visitors appreciate the simple, safe, and friendly vibe for both pets and families.
Amenities at Cooke Park include a covered picnic pavilion, multiple benches and seating areas, a working water fountain, swings, a slide, and a wooden play structure—making it a dog-friendly and kid-friendly destination. There’s also a parking area, though some reviews mention it being used by local residents, and a charcoal grill for those who want to enjoy a BBQ picnic with their outing. The park is regularly maintained and mowed, but a few areas could use updating. Still, the enclosed dog area allows for off-leash play and socialization, while the park atmosphere is enhanced by shade, monthly live music wafting from downtown, and a laid-back community feel.
FAQ
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, there is a fenced area where dogs can play off-leash.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, the dog park section is fenced and provides a safe area for running and socializing.
- Are there water fountains or bowls for dogs? Yes, there is a water fountain at the park.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the park has a covered pavilion and shaded areas.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are several benches throughout the park.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park features swings, a slide, and a play structure for children.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there are picnic tables and a charcoal grill for public use.
- Where is the best place to park? There is a parking lot at the park, though its availability may vary due to local vehicle storage.
Reviews
5 stars
5 stars
Beautiful tiny park with several benches and a small fountain. You can even hear the music they have once a month in downtown Gordonsville from the benches.
Beautiful tiny park with several benches and a small fountain. You can even hear the music they have once a month in downtown Gordonsville from the benches.
This is a nice little neighborhood park. We were just passing through and needed a place to eat our lunch. This park showed up on the map and we tried it on a whim. It’s got everything you need in a neighborhood park. There’s a shelter with a small barbecue. It was in need of repair when we were there, but we didn’t need it so this didn’t make much of a difference to us.
The best thing about the park is how many swings there are. Most parks don’t have enough, but there were seven belt swings, a toddler swing, and two tandem swings. That’s a lot for a small park, but that’s not a bad thing.
Also of note is the slide. It’s an old school metal slide that probably gets up to a thousand degrees in the summer sun. It’s fast, though!
The playset is simple — just a ramp with a covered space at the top. But it’s well-made, though the roof needs a hole patched.
It’s not hard to imagine a neighborhood block party here. The quiet crop of houses around the park insulates it from traffic and road noise. I doubt we’ll ever go that way again, but if you’re in the area and need a short break with the kids, it’s worth going out of your way. It’s only about 15 minutes from I-64.
This is a nice little neighborhood park. We were just passing through and needed a place to eat our lunch. This park showed up on the map and we tried it on a whim. It’s got everything you need in a neighborhood park. There’s a shelter with a small barbecue. It was in need of repair when we were there, but we didn’t need it so this didn’t make much of a difference to us.
The best thing about the park is how many swings there are. Most parks don’t have enough, but there were seven belt swings, a toddler swing, and two tandem swings. That’s a lot for a small park, but that’s not a bad thing.
Also of note is the slide. It’s an old school metal slide that probably gets up to a thousand degrees in the summer sun. It’s fast, though!
The playset is simple — just a ramp with a covered space at the top. But it’s well-made, though the roof needs a hole patched.
It’s not hard to imagine a neighborhood block party here. The quiet crop of houses around the park insulates it from traffic and road noise. I doubt we’ll ever go that way again, but if you’re in the area and need a short break with the kids, it’s worth going out of your way. It’s only about 15 minutes from I-64.
A small spot to sit at a bench and let your dog go potty.
A small spot to sit at a bench and let your dog go potty.
5 stars
5 stars