Dog walking in Portage

Forest Hills

Forest Hills is a small southern neighborhood on the west side of the West Lake, and filled with residential homes and thick woods. Some of those woods belong to the West Lake Nature Preserve, a 40-acre lakefront park with natural wetlands, wooded trails, and a dock on the water with scenic views. The area is perfect for going out and enjoying a scenic walk, with access to open areas and picnic areas for some rest that also offers benches, trash bins, and water fountains for visitors. The Bishop's Bog Preserve is another park in the neighborhood that has over 50 acres of natural wetlands with open space, nature trails, and boardwalks. Dogs must remain on a leash inside both parks.

Ramona Park

Ramona Park is a neighborhood on the southeast corner of the city, taken up by residential homes, thick woods, and the two lakes of Austin Lake and Long Lake. The neighborhood shares its name with Ramona Park, a developed lakeside park along Long Lake. This green space offers a well-kept open area, paved walkways, and a recreational area to play in with scenic views of the lake. Leashed pups can enjoy the area and additional features like water fountains, clean-up stations, and benches. Lakeview Park is another lakeside park, along the southern part of Austin Lake. With vibrant and lush fields, surrounded by paved walkways, a playground, and a baseball field, the area is perfect for a day out to play and walk. Don't forget to bring water and clean-up bags to this park!

West Portage

West Portage is a narrow community on the west side of town, taken up by old farmlands and residential homes. The best place to walk Fido is the Portage Soccer Complex, thanks to its large open areas to run around and play in, with over 8 soccer fields, paved trails, restrooms, water fountains, and benches. Lexington Green Park is a more rural park on the northern side of the neighborhood, with forested trails and open fields. There are recreational parts too, that include enclosed tennis courts, a ball field, a playground, and paved walkways connecting the area that's available to leashed pups.

Ramey Park

Ramey Park is an urban community outside of the downtown area of the city, with shopping centers and busy streets. Dog walkers can still take their pup to Millennium Park, a small but enjoyable place to take your pup thanks to its open area, looping trails, playground, restrooms, and water fountains. Leash up Fido before coming here, and also enjoy the Millennium Trail that connects to the park. The trail is made from concrete and extends over 3 miles, with the southern half being surrounded by bogs and wetlands, creating some great scenic views. If you plan on walking Fido along the trail, remember to bring water and clean-up bags along!

Northwest Portage

Northwest Portage is a small community with residential homes backed by thick woods to the north. The area is known for Westfield Park, a pleasant park with a playground, soccer fields, picnic places, a baseball diamonds, enclosed tennis courts, and lighted basketball courts. The park also has some lush open areas surrounded by trees, with features like water fountains and benches. On the northern side of the neighborhood is Harbors West Park, a completely open park with few shady trees, but lots of space to run around and play, an encompassing trail, a playground, and a basketball court. Dogs have to be on a leash inside both parks.