Dog Walkers in Shirlington

Shirlington is a popular neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia just seven miles from Washington, D.C. Residentially, Shirlington is a neighborhood of townhomes, standalone, single-family homes, and a few apartment complexes located centrally. The commercial areas of Shirlington are located in the northwest corner of the neighborhood in a complex known as the Village at Shirlington. You will find tons of local restaurants, bars and coffee shops, a theater, a grocery store, a few hotels, and a few spas and salons.

The County of Arlington, as well as nearby Washington, D.C., has plenty of attractions for both residents and visitors to explore. There are different art, science, and history museums, national landmarks, and several performing arts theaters.

Shirlington and the surrounding areas typically experience all four distinct seasons. Summer months are rather sunny, hot, and can be extremely humid. Winter months, while colder, tend to bring some rainfall or wintery mix. There is some snow, but it usually doesn't last for long. 

Shirlington is a typical suburban neighborhood. The residential areas usually have at least one sidewalk, although not all parts of the neighborhood do. Additionally, the residential areas have plenty of mature, large trees to help provide shade during the summer months or crunchy leaves to frolic in during the fall! Additionally, many of the local businesses in the Villages of Shirlington put out doggie water bowls during the summer months. 

Shirlington does have some changes in elevation, however, the hills typically steadily increase rather than having steep or dramatic changes in elevation. 

The boundaries of Shirlington include South Walter Reed Drive and Barcroft Park to the northwest, South Arlington Mill Drive and Four Mile Run to the northeast, North Quaker Lane and Shirlington Road to the east, and King Street and South Columbia Street to the south. Interstate 395 also runs through the neighborhood from west to east.

While there aren't too many public parks in Shirlington, the few available are incredibly dog-friendly! The largest local greenway, Utah Park, is home to a large baseball field, a large field for general recreation, a volleyball court, and a dog park! This dog park, which is fully enclosed, is open from sunrise to one hour after sunset. 

Other local greenways include Fort Reynolds Park and Shirlington Park. Nearby greenways include Jennie Dean Park, Fort Barnard Heights Park, Lucky Run Park, Barcroft Park, James Mulligan Park, and Fort Ward Park. Most parks include a playground, a few benches, and an athletic court or field. 

Additionally, across Four Mile Run to the northeast, you will find the Shirlington Dog Park. This fenced-in area also has access to the Four Mile Run, so your pup can play in the water if they need to cool off on a hot summer day!