Gurney Hood Dog Bark (at Joe Eakes Park)

Joe Eakes Park contains a full basketball court, regulation-size baseball fields, bocce ball courts, tennis courts, and even a full disc golf course. This park was very obviously built with recreation in mind, which is why the town regularly hosts events in and around the area. In addition to this, there are four picnic pavilions complete with restrooms that are available for rental through the warmer seasons. For more information on any of the above, you can visit the City of Kure Beach website.

Also referred to as the Gurney Hood Barking Lot, the Gurney Hood Dog Bark is a smaller dog park located in the northern half of Joe Eakes Park. Built in 2003 as part of the “Beautify Kure” program, it has since become a popular spot for locals come summertime. This is primarily due to the public water areas sprinkled throughout the park. It’s a great, fun, and free way to keep you and your canine cool during the hottest months of the year.

The Barking Lot is actually the only location in the county where letting your dog off leash is permitted. It’s a gorgeous little 3-acre spot, completely fenced in and isolated from the main traffic areas. In addition to numerous shady areas, the dog park provides water services in the way of small, ground-mounted bubbles that run all day long. These fountains are available in both the large and small dog sections. 

The dog park also provides kiddie pools and garden hoses, so if your dog tends to get dirty during their play dates you can give them a good rinse before you pack it in. Keep in mind that this dog park is primarily composed of sand, so dress and prepare accordingly. The parks hours become restricted during the winter months, so contact the park offices for more details.