Patch Picks: Five Dog-Friendly Parks

Tuesday, June 21 -- a mere four days ago -- marked the beginning of summer.

With outside temperatures no longer below freezing, it's time to start taking those walks you've been itching to take, and it's time to let the kids burn off some of their cooped-up energy, courtesy of jungle gyms and public swimming pools.

But, what about man's best friend?

Despite the almost endless number park options throughout the Lehigh Valley, a surprising number of parks have a "no-pets-allowed" policy, which can be a real downer for not only dog owners, but for dogs.

So, in honor of your beloved pups, we've put together a list of five nearby parks that are all pro-pooch. When you finish reading, grab a leash, a frisbee, a bottle of water or two, and take the dogs out for a much-needed stroll.

And don’t forget the plastic bag!

1. : Of Pennsylvania’s 120 state parks, Jacobsburg State Park is the closest to the Lehigh Valley. The park boasts 1,168-acres, and is a haven for the outdoorsman: specific areas of the park allow for hunting, fishing, horseback-riding, hiking and environmental education.

But Jacobsburg is also a haven for Fido. Owners can walk their dogs along any of the 18.5 miles of scenic hiking trails, parts of which run parallel to the Bushkill Creek where the pups can splash around and cool off.

There are only two stipulations: you're in charge of clean-up duty and dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

The state park is open from sunrise to sunset.

How to get there: Jacobsubrg State Park is located at 835 Jacobsburg Road, Wind Gap (a portion of the park is in Wind Gap, and another portion is in Bushkill Township). The park is best accessed from the Belfast exit off Route 33 -- just follow the signs.

2. : Just outside downtown Nazareth is the where residents will find a public pool, a skate park, a playground, walking trails and a whole lot more.

That "whole lot more" now includes a specified area just for dogs, which is affectionately dubbed "The Bark Park." The borough's dog park, which opened in 2008, is located behind the main park area on Black Rock Road.

This doggy-friendly park has two fenced-in areas, one for small dogs (under 25 pounds) and one for large dogs (25 pounds and up).

There is also an off-leash area, but your pup must be under visual and voice control at all times. If a dog becomes aggressive, they must be taken out of the park immediately.

"The Bark Park" is open from sunrise to sunset.

How to get there: To access the dog park area, take a right onto E. Schoeneck Road (the sharp right after the main park entrance if you're headed toward Nazareth from Bushkill and Upper Nazareth townships). You will then come to a complete stop at the four-way stop sign and make a right onto Roth Street. Black Rock Road will be the first road on your right off Roth Street.

3. : Polk Valley Park is one of Lower Saucon Township’s newest parks. In addition to athletic fields and walking trails, Polk Valley is known for its scenic, hilly landscape.

Nestled among the various facilities of the main park is the Polk Valley Dog Park, which occupies just over one acre of land. Like the other dog parks on this list, Polk Valley has two areas; one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs.

Also available are waste receptacles and "mutt mitts" for the use of disposing dog waste. The dog park is open from sunrise to sunset.

How to get there: Polk Valley Park is located at 2068 Polk Valley Road near the Saucon Valley School District campuses.

4. : Dimmick Park is the borough's oldest public park, and all 12-acres are nestled in the residential area of central Hellertown. The park includes plenty of amenities, like ballfields, playgrounds, a public pool and walking trails.

And your dog will be delighted to know that they are allowed entry -- just refrain from swimming in the pool, please!

How to get there: Dimmick Park is located at Tobias Drive and Durham Street in Hellertown. The park is best accessed via Main Street to Durham Street.

5. : Monocacy Park is the largest and most feature-filled park in Bethlehem. By feature-filled, we mean football fields, baseball diamonds, an ice-skating rink, a playground, a swimming pool, tennis courts… this park has it all.

Of course, all of that is trumped -- for the sake of this article -- by its 1.5-acre dog park, which is separated into areas for small and large dogs. There is also an off-leash romping area, and plenty of shaded areas for the pup who needs a breather.

However, if you have a puppy, be forewarned that dogs under four months old are not allowed in this dog park.

For full rules and regulations regarding the off-leash recreation area, click here.

This park is open from sunrise to sunset.

How to get there: Monocacy Park is located on the corner of Schoenersville Road and Illicks Mill Road, just down the road a piece from . The dog park is located between the ice-skating rink and the public pool.