Western Branch Dog Park

The Western Branch Dog Park is an area of the Western Branch Park in the city of Chesapeake, Virginia, which has been reserved for exercising dogs off their leash. Before you can use the off-leash facility, all pet owners are required to purchase an annual membership for which there is a $10 charge. 

To get a membership, owners need to present their dog's vaccination certificates, which includes a rabies shot and current dog license. The Chesapeake authorities also require all male dogs over one year old to be neutered before they are issued a pass. There is an extra fee of $3 for a collar tag which the dog must be wearing while in the dog park. Day passes at the cost of $5 are also available for visitors to the city.

This dog park in Chesapeake is a beautiful wooded area with lots of mature trees, which makes it nice and shady on sunny days. The off-leash area has a surface covering of sandy dirt with some bark chippings and is enclosed with rustic wood fencing. The lower part of the fencing has been covered with wire mesh to prevent small dogs from escaping. 

At the Western Branch Park, dogs are also permitted to be exercised on the hiking trail, which runs through the main park. However, they must be on a leash at all times, which should be no longer than five feet. Dogs are not allowed to be in any other part of the Western Branch Park other than on the trail, in the parking lot, or in the designated off-leash area.

If exercising their dogs in this off-leash dog park in Chesapeake, owners will need to carry a jug of water for their dog, a bowl, and a supply of poop bags. If a dog digs a hole, then the handler must fill it in. Families bringing their dog here should be aware that children below the age of eight are not allowed in the off-leash area, and children over eight should be closely supervised.