great places for dogs around Nashville?

March 18, 2014 7:51 AM

I am looking for places that are fun, interesting, and accessible to take my 3 dogs (2 seniors, hound and std.schnauzer, and 3-year-old sheltie) off leash, or on a long nylon lead. I know the three official dog parks here in town, which are fine up to a point but a bit boring after a while. We were all spoiled when we lived on the west coast, when the seniors were young: park areas like the beach at Kelly Point, near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette, or one federal reserve area outside of town, seem like a dream now (even Shelby Park in Memphis was great). Even after they started to regulate that beach, you could still have dogs off-leash within range of the water, and enforcement was relaxed. I understand that dogs can't be allowed to roam free in park settings, but have heard that there are locations, for instance along the Harpeth, where people and dogs go for this purpose. Any ideas? (no lectures, please - I agree that people and wildlife are more important.)
posted by mmiddle to Pets & Animals (2 answers total)

Centennial Park on West End near Vanderbilt. Long leash would work and it's a beautiful park.
posted by michellenoel at 12:47 PM on March 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

Also Percy Warner Park on Old Hickory Blvd.
posted by michellenoel at 12:48 PM on March 18, 2014 [1 favorite]