Tails ‘N Trails Dog Park in South Arlington, Texas, is a great place to take your dog. It offers dogs of all sizes and breeds all the things humans look for and enjoy in a park: nature, wide open spaces to run and play, trails to explore, and friends to play with. If you’re looking for a way to exercise or socialize your dog (or both), or just let him have a good time playing with other dogs, Tails ‘N Trails is for you both.
The 5.7-acre park is divided, appropriately, into small and large dog parks, each with amenities for both canines and humans: water fountains (turned off during winter months, although the faucet is always on to fill the water bowls), open air and shaded benches, woods for the dogs to explore in, wide open green spaces good for running and playing, trails, plenty of ‘dogi pot’ bags and collection spots, and fences high and secure enough to ensure that no dog is getting out.
A few basic rules keep the park experience positive for everyone (for a complete list of park rules, see the park’s online page):
Small dogs (less than 18″ tall, and under 30 pounds) can play on the large dog side-at their own risk–but big dogs are never supposed to be on the small dog side. This doesn’t mean that large dogs don’t come into the small dog side, but in my experience they are mostly timid dogs or puppies.
Dogs must be on leash until they are within the double-gate area. The double gate prevents dogs from dashing out as other dogs are entering or exiting the park. This is a place to be paying attention!
From personal experience, I can attest to the fact that human visitors obey both the spirit and letter of this rule, and watch carefully that dogs don’t get out on their own.
Owners must clean up after their pets. There are several stations with bags (there have always been bags-and plenty of them–when I’ve been there), and special disposal cans.
Tails ‘N Trails is self-policed, which means, for the most part, you’re on your own if there are minor issues. Common courtesy-and common sense-rule. Remember that sometimes dogs, much like people, don’t like every dog they meet. Sometimes they click, sometimes they don’t. Major issues can be reported to the parks department at 817-459-5474.
Maybe the best thing about Tails ‘N Trails-at least for the humans-is the friendly nature of the park. Dog owners in Arlington seem to be a little predictable, and visit the park on a fairly regular schedule, so you see the same people and of course, the same dogs, over and over again. Your dog makes friends, you make friends, and everybody has a great time.
Perhaps the worst thing about Tails ‘N Trails is that the city is determined to maintain the park at a high standard: after rain or other bad weather, the park is often closed. Good for the park, bad for dogs that are used to playing there, and the owners who count on that.
Workers come out quite often to clean out the garbage cans, and make sure there are plenty of bags, and maintenance is performed regularly as well.
In good weather, Tails ‘N Trails Dog Park is open from 5 am to 10 pm seven days a week; a rain-out phone line will let you know if the park is open or closed. Call 817-462-8441, option 8, to find out of the park is open. There is also a Facebook page, where you can get information about park closings-and keep in touch with other visitors.
Grab your dog’s leash, his Frisbee or her favorite toy and head on out to Tails ‘N Trails-you won’t regret it. See you there!
Tails N’ Trails is located at 950 SE Green Oaks Boulevard, between the Southeast Branch of the library, and Arlington Animal Services.