Wheeler Memorial Dog Park

When someone thinks of "big American cities," Columbus, Ohio rarely makes the list. But maybe it should. After Chicago, Columbus is the third largest state capital in the United States. In 2016, Money Magazine listed Columbus as one of the six best big cities, and ranked it the best in the Midwest, because of its educated workforce and excellent wage growth. 

A lot of large American companies have chosen to have their headquarters in Ohio as well as being the home to Ohio State University, which is one of the largest schools in the United States. So, Columbus does qualify as a big city. But even with its big city hustle and bustle, Columbus has a nice park, right downtown, so busy people can get out into nature.

Columbus may be a big city, but Wheeler Memorial Park, which is right downtown, is small, but it makes an impact. Wheeler Memorial Park may only be four acres, but the park has everything a good park should have. There's a large green space with picnic tables and walking trails; there are a playground and a small pond. And, there's a dog park.

The Wheeler Dog Park is nearly two acres. The park is divided in half, with one side reserved for small dogs. The dog park has thick, lush grass, which is maintained in part by frequently rotating the sides of the park which are open. 

The result is that there are times when the small dog enclosure is not available. The city has a hotline that provides updates on the status of the park, so if you have concerns about letting your small dog play with large dogs, it may be a good idea to double-check before going.

The Wheeler Dog Park is nicely designed. The park is fenced with tall wrought iron for a very attractive look that is also quite durable. In addition, it has plenty of benches, poop bags, and trash cans. Also, there are picnic tables just on the other side of the fence.

Wheeler Memorial Park is open until 11:00 PM every night. The park is very well-lit and is near a police station, so it is regularly patrolled and is quite safe. Parking can be a little difficult to find close to the dog park. However, your leashed dog is welcome throughout the park, and your dog will not mind a little extra stroll.