Bow Wow Beach Dog Park (at Silver Springs Park) - Stow

There is a lot to be said about northeastern Ohio, and much of it is not very nice. As a part of the "Rust Belt," the area suffered the worst economic downturn in American history during the late 60s and throughout the 1970s. Probably the lowest point in the region's history was when the Cuyahoga River actually caught fire near Akron, Ohio.

Since that low point, the region has worked hard to re-invent itself. Cleveland has revitalized its image as a city by embracing its sports teams, the Cleveland Indians, the Browns, and the Cavaliers. The city had a big boost when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened. Nearby Akron took a different path, embracing the outdoors with a large zoo, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and several parks showcasing the natural beauty of the area.

Silver Springs Park in Stowe, Ohio, lives between Cleveland and Akron. It is a lovely park and is remarkably complete. At 280 acres, it is a nice mix of open space and formal recreation areas. There are walking paths through the woods, open fields for games, and tennis and basketball courts. There are baseball diamonds and two playgrounds, including one that is handicapped accessible. 

There are a lot of picnic facilities and even a small campground. There is also a dog park, named Bow Wow Beach. It may sound crazy, but it's true-the cuter the dog park name, the better the dog park. And that is certainly the case with Bow Wow Beach in Stow, Ohio. First of all, how cute is the name? It is a large park, at eight acres, including a 3-acre pond, which is where the park gets its name. 

There is an enclosure for small dogs, and in the main park, there is even some agility equipment. The pond at Bow Wow Beach is surrounded by a sandy shore, but it is strictly for the doggies. There is a paved trail around the pond, and one around the edge of the park. There are also benches and picnic tables for people. The city provides poop bags and trash cans, but there are no water fountains. 

However, there is a wash station outside the park gates so that you can minimize the amount of dirt and mud your dog tracks home. Bow Wow Beach is open from mid-March until December 1. The rest of Silver Springs Park is open year-round. Your dog is welcome throughout the park, so long as you are using a leash.