Ft. Williams Parkway Off Leash Dog Area

No bones about it, Alexandria loves their dogs! And to prove it, they offer tons of off leash spaces and places close to home. Along with several off leash dog parks, the city also features many unfenced off leash areas that are open spaces that welcome dogs to explore freely. 

The Fort Williams Parkway Off-Leash Dog Area is actually part of Fort Williams Park, a pupular spot for locals. With lots of preserved forest, Fort Williams Park's 8.3 acres land was once the site of a Civil War Fort. Today, it features a pristine forested spot with a walking path and a small stream. Best of all for local doggos, there's the off leash area. You can find this happening dog spot on the corner of Fort Williams Parkway and Dearborn Place, where you'll see a sign for the park, and a bollard. 

Considered one of the city's unfenced dog exercise areas, the dog space is marked by bollards, or beige, square pegs adorned with a green paw print. These mark the boundaries of any unfenced area in the city, so watch out for them to stay within the off leash area. This first bollard by the sign to the park is near an intersection, so pawrents of excitable pups may want to keep the leash on till you get further in. Once you feel comfortable that your dog will respond promptly to voice commands, you can take off the leash and let your pup roam.

Unfurtunately, there is no parking lot for Fort Williams Park, so you'll either have to walk or park down a side street nearby. Be sure to always be courteous to the neighbors of the park, and keep your dog restrained anywhere outside the bollard marked boundaries of the off leash area. 

Since there aren't any amenities in this natural space, you are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, water bottles, and portable dog bowls. The park is small and cleaning up after your pet is required, so be sure to bring your own clean-up bags. There's aren't any trash cans either, so perhaps a garbage bag is a good idea too.

Take your furry explorer on an adventure at the Fort Williams Parkway Off Leash Area today!