Gleneagles Off Leash Dog Area

Gleneagles Off-Leash Dog Park is an official park under the auspices of the city of Norfolk, Virginia, and it is one of the smallest in the city's 12 established dog parks. It is difficult to tell from the online map that simply shows a yellow dog icon for unfenced parks and a green one for fenced parks. 

The sign for Gleneagles is certainly yellow, so it is an unleashed park, the second most northern of the city's recreational space dedicated to dogs. That being said, online reviews of the park are pretty mixed. Some are downright skeptical. One reviewer said there it was a strip of land in a residential area and beside a major roadway. 

The reviewer wrote that Gleneagles "hardly meets the criteria” for a dog park. It is surrounded by a residential area on three sides, and it is partly fenced but not enclosed. The fence is on the side of the park near the road, but many people wrote that the fence is so low it might not keep an active dog behind it at all. “Any dog taller than a Dachshund would clear the fence,” wrote one of the more disparaging reviewers.

The rules for the dog parks run by the city are clear enough and it is pleasing to see the introduction to the rules includes the idea that pups “must play nice.” No pushing other pups in the mud or taking their tennis ball. That sort of thing. Luckily, the dogs at Gleneagles Dog Park tend to follow the rules.

The Gleneagles Off-Leash Dog Park requires an owner be present with their dogs, valid and visible rabies and town licenses are mandatory, and no dogs in heat are allowed. Owners are also legally responsible for any mayhem their dogs commit, including bodily injuries and property damage.

Another nice gesture from the city includes the notice online that anyone who wants a dog park in their neighborhood should take some action to make that happen. “New dog parks need the support of your neighbors,” the city says. It also posts useful information on how to get a dog park established in your area.