Cumberland Valley Dog Park

Located within Schaffer Park, the Cumberland Valley Dog Park is a small, fenced in area comprised mostly of grassy flatland. There are multiple shady trees and temporary seating in the form of folding chairs are available at the front gate. Water services are available for canines, but at this point, it’s just a normal water fountain that you can use to fill up bowls or bottles. This park is open to members only and requires a small yearly fee. These costs go to upkeep and land rental, and you can find a breakdown of the specifics at the Carlisle Area Dog Park Association’s official website.

Shaffer Park is an 18-acre park whose main attraction is a 60-year-old cabin which is available for rental year-round. The cabin can seat up to 50 comfortably with its two meeting rooms and can house up to 12 guests comfortably overnight. For more information on site rental, please visit the Cumberland Valley Info desk located at the northern entrance to the park.

The Cumberland Valley Overlook is another component of this sprawling property, which provides nationally famous views of the surrounding landscape. During the summer months, the city hosts an all-ages ”Parks & Preservation” gathering inside of the overlook facilities. These classes are first come, first serve, so make sure to call ahead and reserve your spots.

As mentioned above, the dog park currently sits on two acres of land, but the Carlisle Area Dog Park Association intends to expand into the full four acres that they currently possess. The plans include a walking trail around the full 4-acre plot, as well as a proper separation for larger dogs. They’ve also already entered the planning stages on an exercise area, complete with kinetic sculptures that canines can play on and move around.

Parking is free in two-hour bursts, so if you’re looking to stay longer, plan for the $4 daily charge. There are public restrooms scattered throughout the park, and most of them tend to be adjacent to one of the six paved walking paths.