Portage Lakes Dog Park - New Franklin,
Portage Lakes Dog Park in New Franklin, OH
Portage Lakes Dog Park is a welcoming spot for local dog owners looking for a dog-friendly experience in New Franklin. This unique park features direct access to a natural lake, complete with a dock for adventurous pups who love to swim or fetch balls in the water. The fenced area even extends into the lake, providing dogs with a one-of-a-kind aquatic playground, though attentive supervision is recommended as some dogs may find ways around the fence at the ends. The park’s open space gives pets plenty of room to run, while the tranquil setting makes it a peaceful destination for both pets and their owners.
Additional amenities include wheelchair accessible entrances and parking, picnic tables, and nearby restrooms at the people's beach entrance. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate pet-friendly trails and the family-friendly environment, with options for hiking and spots to relax by the water. Local visitors praise the park's sense of community and note the enjoyable experiences their dogs have meeting new friends and cooling off in the lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash in the designated area.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, the park has a fenced area that extends into the lake.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? There are some picnic tables and limited benches, though more near the water would be helpful.
- Is there a swimming area or pond for dogs? Yes, there is a natural lake with swimming access and a dog dock.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, there are wheelchair accessible entrances and parking.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there are picnic tables available for use.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is good for kids and family-friendly.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are dog-friendly hiking and walking trails in the area.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are outhouses available at the nearby people’s beach, but no running water.
Reviews
Fairly small, but there is dock to jump your puppers off of. The fence extends into the lake, and it’s ok, but 3 of the 4 dogs our group had were able to go around the ends, so it could be longer.
Nice place to let Murdoch run and play in the water. A few other dogs showed up and they had a great time together. I wish there were a few more benches closer to the water.
Make sure your dog has good recall, even through prey drive!
There are holes in the fence in the water.
My dog will find the hole if it exists, and we did not find one outside of the lake opening.
Water is a natural lake with geese, ducks, algae (minimal), and plants. It’s murky.
At first it feels small but once your pup starts running you’ll realize there’s tons of room, the lake opening just isn’t large. I didn’t take photos of all the room behind us.
We had a great experience today. Very peaceful spot. We were mainly by ourselves but the few we did interact with were very nice.
There are bathrooms if you go to the regular people beach there are two outhouses without running water, bring sanitizer. There is also a mcd close to the park entrance.
We went here while they are doing work on bow wow beach in Stow. I think I would go to BWB beach over here, although we will definitely be back!!
We drove a little out of way recently while travelling to southern Ohio to stop here to check out this park with our two dogs. Both dogs are not big water dogs, but the open water and diving dock was a big plus for this location and is definitely a unique feature that we do not have at our local parks. There is some erosion in a few spots due to natural rainwater erosion, so make sure to watch your step, and IF you happen to have a dog with a tendency to stray, this might not be the BEST park since it IS open to water, but use your best judgement on your dog’s preferences.
I bring my dog gear as much as possible during the summer and lob tennis balls out into the lake for him to go get. Always a fun time. Bring sunscreen.