Dog walking in Jeffersontown

Easom Rd/Chenowith Run

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Just south of the town limits, Charlie Vettiner Park is Jeffersontown’s premier doggy destination and nearest dog park. With a gazebo, benches, and separate fenced areas for big and little pups, Vettiner Dog Park is a comfortable place to drop the leash and let your hair (or fur) down. Membership in the Louisville Dog Run Association and proof of vaccination are required; you can apply and pay the small membership fee at any Feeders Pet Supply store. Vettiner Park has almost 300 acres to explore on-leash, too. Sniff out some fun at the athletic facilities, challenge your doggo to a game of disc golf, or just take a stroll on the walking path. In winter, check out the sledding hill and find out if your pack has a knack for mushing. The affluent subdivisions that surround the park can extend your walk on well-kept sidewalks. 

Hopewell

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In the neighborhood of Hopewell, just east of Jeffersontown, you'll find some furrific hiking. The southern half of massive Pope Lick Park is a leafy nature preserve at Big Beech Woods, while the northern half of the park is devoted to athletic facilities and grassy lawns. A 1.6-mile nature trail runs through Big Beech, and the paved Fitness Trail and gravel Prairie Preserve Trail give you lots of exercise options. The park is also home to a stretch of the Louisville Loop, a network of 48 miles of trail that will eventually extend over 100 miles and completely encircle the city. A 6-mile section heads south from the park and connects to Turkey Run Park. Be sure to use the restroom and fill your water bottles before leaving Pope Lick, as there are no facilities available until you reach Turkey Run. A shorter Louisville Loop section heads north to Beckley Creek.

Fisherville

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Only 7 miles from Jeffersontown, Beckley Creek Park is a veritable puppy paradise located just north of the Fisherville neighborhood along the Floyd's Fork River. First stop is Barklands, Beckley Creek’s off-leash dog park. Membership in the Louisville Dog Run Association is required to use the park, but your membership for Vettiner Dog Park gets you entrance at Beckley and several other Louisville dog parks as well. Barklands offers three one-acre fenced runs, plus water and waste stations. The entrance is marked by four yellow fire hydrants at the north end of the 22 acre Egg Lawn — which is also a great spot for a snooze in the sunshine or a quick game of fetch. A paved path circles the lawn, just one of 10 hiking paths available in Bleckley Creek including a 4-mile stretch of the Louisville Loop. 

Whipps Millgate

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Just 8 miles north of Jeffersontown, EP Tom Sawyer State Park in the Whipps Millgate neighborhood of Louisville is a pawfect place to spend the afternoon. At 539 acres, Tom Sawyer gives you space to stretch your legs. The fenced off-leash dog run in the northeastern corner will really get your pups begging for more. The park’s two trails — the 1-mile Fitness Trail and 1.25-mile Goose Creek Trail — are both located in the southwestern section. Still have energy to burn? The small but pretty Hounz Lane Park is located along Goose Creek due west of Tom Sawyer. Due east is the Anchorage Trail, an easy and scenic 2.1-mile loop. Or, just hit the streets! The affluent subdivisions that surround Tom Sawyer State Park are all extremely walkable with sidewalks leading past manicured yards and impressive homes.