Camp Barkeley Dog Park (at Nelson Park)

The Camp Barkeley Dog Park is an off-leash dog park in Abilene, Texas. This dog park is just across the parking lot from the city's Nelson Park. It's a big parking lot, and for safety's sake, pups should be kept on their leashes until the off-leash area staging gate has been closed behind it. 

This Abilene dog park is two enormous grass fields, fenced with chain-link, which have been designated as off-leash areas for exercising dogs. Toy breeds need to weigh under thirty pounds to use the small breed enclosure. Extremely open to the elements, there's no shade to escape to for either pooches or pet owners. 

The grass covering of the compounds gets pretty dried out in summer and just the opposite in winter. Yes, expect some inundations which create mini pools for pups to splash in. They love it, pet parents not so much when they have to dry off muddy paws. The same as any other dog park in Texas, this one has a few do and don't rules which handlers taking their pets there need to comply with. 

Don't take more than two dogs. That's the limit per handler. Do make sure each fur baby is current on their rabies shot as well as all the rest. If the dog being taken to this dog park in Abilene is a resident of the city, do make sure it has its license tag on its collar. 

Don't take any food into the off-leash areas. It's not allowed so people living with diabetes should ensure they time their visits accordingly. Unless anyone has stashed a bar of chocolate in their pocket, getting a hypoglycemic attack here could be difficult to manage. 

While children are allowed in the dog park, those under twelve must be accompanied by an adult. Setting them a good example is always a good idea, so letting them watch people scooping poop and dealing with it responsibly can only bode well for the future of dog parks.