Dog walking in Lawrence

Avalon Hill

Avalon Hill is a wooded neighborhood on the outskirts of Indianapolis, only 1 mile from Lawrence. The community is best known for the Skiles Test Nature Park, which hosts 60 acres of natural land to explore, with 3 miles of trails. There are open areas in the park, with fields and picnic tables to use and play in, that don't require dogs to be on a leash. The park is pretty rural though, and owners will have to bring water and clean-up bags. The park connects to the Fall Creek Parkway Trail, an asphalt multi-use trail for walkers and bikers. The trail is dog-friendly to leashed pups and extends over 1.5 miles throughout the neighborhood.

Oaklandon

Oaklandon is a residential neighborhood filled with residential homes, and backed by old farmland to the south and east. On the edge of the neighborhood is the Veteran's Memorial Park, a place that has recreational ball fields and plenty of open space to run around and play in. There are 13 different sizes baseball fields, some of them fenced-in and others with nighttime lights. Outside of the fields, paved walkways connect the areas, with open space, a small fishing pond, a playground, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, and to different parking areas. Dogs are welcome to play in the fenced-in baseball fields, but do have to remain on a leash outside of them.

Watson Farms

Watson Farms is a residential community with serene views of the neighboring Fort Harrison State Park, and surrounded by thick woods and homes. The area is best known for the Lee Road Park, a recreational and public park that borders Fort Harrison State Park. The area has 8 fenced-in baseball fields that are dog-friendly. Pups can play in the fields safely off leash, or stay on a leash and play in the open area outside of the fields. Other features include .4 miles of paved trails, a playground, restrooms, and a picnic area. The small park is open from sunrise to 10 pm, and also offers nighttime lights for nighttime play, benches, water fountains, and clean-up stations.

South Lawrence

South Lawrence features some nice residential homes and public parks. Alexander Park in this neighborhood is a recreational area with open space and walking trails for Fido. The area has two fenced-in baseball fields, paved trails, restrooms, a playground, a pavilion, and picnic tables. Pups can play in the fenced-in baseball field, and enjoy features like water fountains, benches, and trash bins. Also in the neighborhood is Value Place, an inexpensive motel that has good rates and great features, including dog-friendly rooms. Two dogs of any size are allowed into rooms with a small price.

Brendonwood

Brendonwood is a southern neighborhood and acts as the shopping center for the city, with small businesses and busy streets. The area is also home to a dog-friendly park known as Harrison Community Park. This community park is mostly wooded, with forested trails, a playground, and open area with picnic tables and a pavilion. The area doesn't require dogs to be on a leash inside the park, unlike the nearby Lawrence Parks Department, which hosts a large recreational park. The park has ten fenced-in baseball fields, with open space, 2 miles of paved walkways looping inside the park, restrooms, a playground, a basketball court, water fountains, and nighttime lights.