Wakefield Park

Wakefield Park resides near the Germantown neighborhood and covers 12 acres. This dog-friendly swath of land is undeveloped in terms of amenities and attractions, but offers an expansive lawn stretched down the center of this rectangular space bisected by West Fisher Avenue. The north end of the park is woodland, featuring white birch, maple and oak trees along with ancient undergrowth and tangles of vines growing up the tree trunks and along fences. 

The south side of West Fisher Avenue is a section of mowed and undulating grass, with peninsulas of shrubs and uncultivated flowers extending into the golf fairway-like lawn. This section is ringed by the same specioes of trees as on the north end. 

A sidewalk rings the park, in some spots lined with post-and-rail fencing that appears to have encircled the park for some time. While walking on the sidewalk is in general an easy stroll for human and dog, the woods and lawns call for some exploring as well. Small mammals forage in the undergrowth and leaves among the trees for nuts and seeds for their next meals. Squirrels are common sights, and give Fido something to get excited about. Birds flit and light in the tree branches and will serenade you as you walk, and in the spring and summer, fat robins hop around on the grass looking for the perfect worm.

This park doesn't offer amenities like restrooms and water fountains, so be sure to take care of your needs in this regard. As for Fido, please remember bring clean up bags and pick up and carry out anything left behind by the doggo. Entry to the park can be found off Ogontz and Lindley Avenues, with other points of entry off of West Fisher as well. There's no formal parking, but street parking is allowed directly across from the park on North 16th Street.

You and your pup will love this park that offers peace and quiet, and a feeling of being folded into nature's arms with lots of room to walk or thrown down a blanket for an extended stay.