The City of Shreveport let the dogs out, and man, could they not be happier about it! The dogs, that is, and the city too apparently, because after years and years of hemming and hawing about even having a dog park, this one, the city is branching out now and adding a new dog park, its second dog park, and this new location will be in the 71118 area code. Specifically, it will be located in the Southern Hills Community Park on Bert Kouns Industrial Loop with an expected opening of June in 2022. But this is the park that started it all. It’s a great park. It’s as fantastic for dog owners as it is the dogs themselves. There is a pond here for dogs to swim in, so bring a towel the inside of your car afterwards. This park is close to downtown Shreveport, runs alongside the Red River, and its bike/jogging path. There is also the Stoner Avenue Skate park right there as well. It’s also free, so bring your board. There’s a boat launch if you bring your dog by boat on the river, they can get out and run around the park. Great location. Large expanse of land and water devoted to dogs of all sizes running and swimming free and off leash. Dogs being dogs and wearing themselves out doing it. And now there will be two places in this city for them to do it, in the Summer of 2022, and beyond.

I honestly have never been to a dog park. I have almost always owned dogs, but I'm a cat person. Went with my daughter-in-law and her family - 3 dogs. Very large and open - on the river, too (not accessible by dogs off leash, tho!). Has a good size pond - and a dog wash station. Also has an area for smaller dogs.

My dog Echo loves this place. She enjoys the other dogs and meeting new people and of course her time in the pond. The people at the park are very friendly and welcoming of others. Everyone watches out for all dogs to ensure a good safe environment for your dog. If you are traveling through and want a great place for your dog to run and play safely this is the place. The setting is really nice too and views are pleasant as well and relaxing. My only complaint is that the park does tend to take on water at times but it is cleaned quickly and the city and users are very quick to get us going again. Water stations are furnished to wash your dog off if needed all you need to bring is poop bags as we all clean up after our own dogs which is just another way to know how good the environment is for your pooch.

A lot of criticism stems from the mistaken notion that the city paid for the construction of the dog park. In fact, it was mostly privately funded. The city donated the land, possibly because it tends to flood when the Red River rises, and there was no demand for a business or anything there. People in this most redneck area of the Deep South think of dogs as livestock, not as family members, and so a lot of them can't wrap their tiny little minds around the concept of a dog park. A lot of people here are also afraid of dogs, because, in the antebellum South, their great, great, great grandparents and dogs really got off on the wrong foot. Dogs were used to abuse slaves. This prejudice is handed down. People who don't understand dogs in this region will always be against a dog park, and will find any excuse to condemn it.

My FurBuddy and I go to the park every day when it's open. The off-leash running and socialization is SO GOOD for him. He is calm cool and relaxed after our visits and a total joy to live with. There's LOTS of room in the park. There's .25mi of sidewalk, so I'm getting in steps that I wouldn't otherwise get in. The folks I've met at the park are all very friendly and engaging and offered great doggy daycare advise. Tons of parking, a restroom, ample seating, a bit of shade... Excellent addition to our city's quality of life.