Who Let the Dogs Out?
Bloomington is a great place for dog lovers! Our community boasts three dog parks and many establishments that allow you to bring your furry friend with you. We continue to expand our urban trails to connect to our city parks – a perfect way to get some exercise and take care of your canine friend’s need to expend some energy!
Karst Dog Park
This dog park is on the west side of Bloomington adjacent to Karst Farm Park, a beautiful rural area with rolling hills and plenty of trees. This is Bloomington’s only membership based dog park in the area and was established to offer dog owners a place to allow their pets to play off-leash with other dogs. The park features drinking water for both dogs and their owners, picnic tables and benches, trees and landscaping, a 1/6 mile walking trail, shade shelters, waste stations and a paw sprayer.
Ferguson Dog Park
You’ll find this park on the north side of Bloomington at 4300 N. Stone Mill Road near the intersection of Old State Road 37 and Stone Mill Road. The park is accessible from Lower Cascades Park via the Cascades Park Trail. The Ferguson Dog Park is approximately one mile from the Sycamore Shelter at Lower Cascades Park. It includes two fenced in areas, one used for large breeds and one for smaller breeds. You’ll also find picnic tables and shade structures in the park as well as water stations that can be used in all but colder temperature weather.
Switchyard Bark Park
Switchyard Bark Park Switchyard Park is part of the City’s most ambitious park project to date, converting a long-unused railway switchyard to a 57-acre park in the heart of the city featuring basketball, bocce, and pickleball courts, a performance stage, pavilion, and numerous other attractions.
The dog park features large fenced areas for both small and large dogs to play and interact off-leash. Each area has plenty of hilly, grassy areas for dogs to romp and run.
Summer Concert and Movie Series
Speaking of parks… Bloomington also has a concert and movie series that takes place at Peoples Park, Bryan Park and Switchyard Park during the summer months. You can bring your dogs with you, enjoy a picnic on a blanket or folding chairs, and listen to some good summer tunes while you’re at it.
Other Dog Friendly Establishments
Many of our local eateries will allow your pets to accompany you on their outdoor patio seating areas. Check them out at bringfido.com. Some local favorites where we see canine friends are Upland Brewing Company, Nick’s English Hut, Brewster’s Ice Cream (be sure to get a pup cup) and the porch at Hopscotch Coffee. And lucky for you, all yummy places to eat for humans!
Why Dogs Love Bloomington
Bloomington is a great place for dog owners and dog lovers alike. There are so many places to go where you can enjoy bringing your dogs along. The city trails and parks are perfect places to get some exercise for both you and your pet while allowing you to safely walk, run or bike without worrying about road traffic. And when you’re ready for something to eat, you have an abundance of restaurants that will allow you to bring your dog with you. If you don’t have a dog, you can enjoy watching the various pet owners and their furry friends. Of course, if you have a cat, you’re out of luck, and you’re basically going to need their permission to go out anyway…
If finding a new home for your family (including your furry family!) in Bloomington is ever on your mind, give us a call. When you need someone to lean on, lean on G!
