Highland Dog Park
Highland Dog Park is a spacious and well-maintained dog park located in Roanoke, VA. It features separate areas for small and large dogs, plenty of shaded spots, and is wheelchair accessible both at the entrance and parking. Despite some concerns over gravel replacing grass on the large dog side, and occasional cleanliness issues such as broken glass and muddy areas, it remains a popular spot for dog owners in the community. The park is known for a friendly environment for dogs, though social dynamics among visitors can vary. Overall, it’s a great spot for dogs to run and play close to downtown Roanoke.
Reviews
Always lots of dogs when we go. However, there has been broken glass found in the gravel inside the big play area and there’s a large piling of leaves and mud when you go in. Feel like I have to wear some wellys just to take my dogs here. Wish it were cleaner. :/
I’ve never had a bad experience at this park, but the only major difference between this space and the other two is the people. There is a cliquishness & ‘type’ of folks that make it pretty clear that one may not belong. Lots of stares and cold shoulders. As the kind of person who could make friends with a rock, I’ve never experienced this. But I witness it happen every time I visit. If you fit in, you fit in, but this won’t be the place for any and everyone to make dog parent friends.
Also, folks at this place generally do not approve of dogs switching sides, despite the small dog side being much too small for sufficient exercise. If your big pup loves hanging out with the small ones, needs a smaller space or needs to isolate (or small dogs vice versa), take them to Salem or Thrasher. I’ve witnessed too many spats over my 5 years of visiting and this is the only park I witness this happen frequently.
Otherwise, it’s a lovely park within an even bigger lovely park, near downtown. Anyone within SW Roanoke, especially Old SW, can get there by a stroll. It’s well maintained, with very few hazards and a wide range of visiting hours. My pup has always loved visiting.
I miss the old design of the large dog side.The city dumped small gravel on top of all the grass – creating a dusty, cat litter box. Gone are the days of dogs running, playing, and rolling in the grass. (At least the small dogs got to keep their grass in their smaller lot.)
Thanks for ruining it Roanoke Parks & Rec. Perhaps next time, ask the people who actually use the dog park for their input.
Nice dog park with plenty of space and trees for the pups. Although i wish there was grass for the dogs to play in instead of dirt
I liked how long it was for my dog to run and there were several shaded spots. But even though it was hot and dry, there was a spot with gross water that looked dangerous and I had to make sure my dog didn’t drink any of it.