This hidden gem of a dog park is a wonderful place to take your pooch for a run and play! It’s not very large so it doesn’t get too crowded. There are two ponds at the park which dogs can swim in, but please use caution if your dog doesn’t know how to swim. There are usually plenty of tennis balls lying around which your dog will love!
This park is a great place for dogs as well as their owners who want to socialize and meet other people with similar interests, plus it helps your pup get rid of all that energy by running off leash! This park is also great to bring children, who will get a special kick out of playing in the water (and mud) with their furry friends!
All in all this park is great for dog owners and dogs alike. It’s free to enter and right next door to Cherry Creek Shopping Center, so after you play fetch or go for a swim there are lots of shops to check out. You can even bring your well-behaved dog into the Starbucks inside the shopping center!
Please remember that dogs should be watched carefully around children, as not all dogs like to play with them. No food is allowed (including people food) at this park, and there are no enclosed kennels so you must stay outside the park with your dog.
This is a great alternative if you want to take your pup somewhere a little less hectic than City Park or Confluence Park, and much closer to home! Check it out, you won’t regret it.
There is a small fee to enter Cherry Creek dog park. The fee can be paid at the main entrance of the shopping center (don’t worry, you can’t miss it) or inside the dog park. There are no specific hours for the gates to be open, but it’s wise to keep them closed when there aren’t many people in the park.
The park has a small building with 3 separate sections that serve as “entrances” into Cherry Creek Dog Park. Each section has a sign above it to help you differentiate between them.
- The first is the Dog Off-Leash section, which costs $25 for the year. An annual fee gets you in to all 4 dog parks in Aurora, so if your dog plays well with others, this might be your best bet. There are also 1-day passes for $7.00, 3-day passes for $10, and 10-day passes as well. Prices as of February 2017
- The second section has a sign above it that says “For Service Dogs Only”.
- The third section is not a dog park at all, but rather private property. The Aurora Water Treatment facility owns space here and helps maintain Cherry Creek Dog Park with landscaping – so be respectful! This section has the entrance to the main dog park.
There are a lot of things to love. The open space is a welcome change from apartment-life and if you have a zoomer, there’s no way that they won’t get worn out here.
In the center of the park is a 3 tiered fountain that provides clean water for dogs to drink after playing in the mud . There are also multiple water fountains for humans in the shopping center.
There are two different types of shelter, with both having their own pros and cons. The first is an open-fronted shelter that offers protection from sun, wind, and rain (except during summer monsoons). Beware that this location does not provide much shade at all, especially when the sun is high. There are no trees, but the shelter is large enough for 6-8 people to sit in comfort whether they have a pup or not.
The other type of shelter provides much more coverage from the elements. It has a fence in front and a roof overhead, which make it a perfect place to feed your dog when it’s raining, or to sit out of the sun, away from bugs. However it is also much smaller than the previous shelter, so don’t expect this one to accommodate your whole crew!
There’s no double-gated entrance or exit for dogs who are afraid of passing other animals on their way in/out of the park. This might cause issues for some dogs, but it didn’t seem to be an issue at all when I was there.
The water fountains for humans and dogs aren’t too far apart, so you can easily stay with your pup while they drink. However the water spouts are on the opposite side of each other so it might take some gymnastics on your part.
The park is always groome. The grass has been mowed and weeds are regularly cleared out. However, there are some parts where tall patches of grass grow around trees that will need to be trimmed more often – but it’s nothing unusual for a dog park!
There are a few things that you should be aware of when it comes to Cherry Creek Dog Park.
- The first is the parking situation. There is no dedicated parking for this dog park so you’ll have to get creative with where you leave your car; most people end up parking in the shopping center next door or along one of the busier streets.
- The second thing is that there are only 3 ways in/out of this park – two on each side (one through the shopping center and another by crossing over to private property). That means it can take some time to get out depending on how many people are in the park that day.
- The last thing you should be aware is that there aren’t any trash cans! So bring your own plastic bags if you’re planning on bringing trash home with you.
If your dog (or you) love hiking, playing fetch, running around like crazy, and getting as muddy as possible – make a trip to Cherry Creek Dog Park!
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How big is Cherry Creek dog park?
Not very large, but it doesn’t get too crowded. It’s actually a great size for a city dog park… small enough to keep your dog under control yet big enough where it won’t be crowded.
Are there any special rules or etiquette I need to be aware of in Cherry Creek?
Please keep your dogs under control, do not let them jump on or bother people. No food is allowed, and there are no enclosed kennels so you must stay with your dog at all times.
Can I bring my other animals to Cherry Creek?
No, for the safety of your pet please leave your non-canine companions at home! There are also signs posted throughout the park reminding you to pick up after your dog. This is for the protection of the park and its visitors, so do your part to keep it clean!
Also, no swimming is allowed in the ponds; your pup may get tempted to jump after a ball or stick you throw in!
When is Cherry Creek dog park open?
This dog park is open year round. The hours are 6am-11pm daily. Remember that the gate closes at 11PM so you have plenty of time to finish up!
Are there any restrooms at Cherry Creek?
Unfortunately, no. However, you can always take a trip to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center next door and use their public restroom facilities.
Can I use an umbrella or something to shade my pup while we are in Cherry Creek?
Unfortunately, no. There are no pavilions at this park so there’s not really anywhere you can go to escape the heat other than in your car with the AC running. If it looks like rain during your visit you should leave the park right away, it is an open field.
Should I buy tennis balls or other dog toys before visiting Cherry Creek?
There are usually plenty of tennis balls lying around the pond which your dog will be happy to fetch when you are done playing! Or if you find yourself in need of a new toy for your pup there are lots of stores inside the Cherry Creek Shopping Center
How do I get to Cherry Creek dog park?
Cherry Creek is located at 4201 East Virginia Ave. Denver, CO 80222 on the corner of E. Virginia and S. Havana St (east side of Cherry Creek Shopping Center). There are signs posted throughout the shopping center pointing you towards the park entrance, and it is right next to the Cherry Creek Mall!
There is a small parking lot right next to Cherry Creek, however it does get crowded very quickly. If you find yourself in need of more parking I would suggest driving through the shopping center and finding a spot on one of the side streets nearby. There is a good amount of street parking around the area.
What should I bring with me to Cherry Creek dog park?
- A leash ( 6ft or under)
- Lots of water for you and your pup! It can get pretty hot in Colorado, especially in Denver where it is typically 5-10 degrees hotter than the surrounding areas. Make sure your pup has lots of water to keep him hydrated.
- Towels if he is a messy drinker, or enjoys cooling off in the water!
- Lots of tennis balls; there are usually some floating around (though not too many.) Look for them on the edge of the pond. Bring extras with you just in case! Some dogs like to drop their tennis balls in the water and lose them…
- Dog treats! It’s always a good idea to bring some with you, especially if someone else is watching your dog for a moment.
- Recommended: A camera; there’s lots of people and dogs to meet at Cherry Creek. You can also capture all of those cute moments of your pup and his new friends to remember forever!
– NOT recommended: Food, non-canine pets , or children. There are lots of signs posted that remind you that there is no food allowed at the park for good reason; it can be very dangerous for dogs with unknown backgrounds. Please leave your pets and kids at home! If you’re visiting with children make sure to keep a close eye on them; it is also not recommended for small children.
– NOT recommended: A bad attitude! Cherry Creek dog park is meant to be fun and safe for everyone (including you!), so no fighting please! Dogs that are showing signs of aggression should be removed from the park IMMEDIATELY.
Remember to have fun at Cherry Creek dog park! It can be a great place to socialize your pup with other pups and make some friends of the four legged variety! Remember, this is a new experience for both you and your pup so please bear with him if he is shy or scared at first. If you see another dog showing signs of aggression or acting dangerous please remove him from the park immediately and do not return until he has had a chance to cool down.
This field is an open space so if you see your dog running towards another dog, try calling his name and gently tugging on his leash to bring him back to you. Keep him close by at all times just to be safe!
If you happen to see another dog rough housing, or showing exaggerated signs of aggression such as stiff legs, a stiff body and getting very low to the ground; please remove your pup from the park. If possible try calmly calling your dogs name and walking away with him (don’t make it a big deal).
