Lawndale Dog Park is open to dogs and their owners, bringing new green space and dog-focused amenities to previously underserved East End neighborhoods like Idlewood, East Lawndale, Eastwood and Country Club. The 1.4-acre park celebrated its grand opening Nov. 8 with a dog parade and community gathering for residents, park users, pet organizations and vendors, as well as park partners, stakeholders and city officials who championed the park every step of the way.
M2L Associates was the landscape architect on the project, working closely with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and District 1 officials. The idea for the dog park was born as far back as 2018, when former Houston City Councilman Robert Gallegos began gathering support for the idea. Known for advocating for Houston green spaces, bike lanes and trail projects across Houston, Gallegos was on hand for the Lawndale’s big reveal. “It took us five years but we’re excited that today is the grand opening ,” Gallegos said. “As you can see there are a lot of neighbors here in the East End … that are out here with their dogs, and we’re excited about it!”
Plans for the dog park accelerated when Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery sold the land to the Houston Parks Board, facilitating the path forward for construction. The Houston Parks Board said Forest Park Lawndale will continue to be involved, agreeing to maintain the inside of the dog park.
Houston City Councilman Joakim Martinez succeeded Gallegos in District 1 and helped get the Lawndale Dog Park over the finish line, according to the Houston Parks Board. “It’s a labor of love, of everybody being consistent, showing up, and ensuring what we have here today is for everyone,” Martinez said at the event.
Dog parks are increasingly popular and valuable for communities, giving park users a safe place to gather, exercise and socialize, with a built-in common denominator: a love and passion for their furry friends. Dog parks can be built within existing larger parks (such as Johnny Steele Dog Park at Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Park), or can be a smaller, standalone park for dogs, like Lawndale.
Dogs will love Lawndale’s fenced, off-leash play area, complete with obstacles, play equipment and a watering station. Their owners will appreciate safe, enclosed areas with benches, water fountains and convenient access to Brays Bayou and the Greens Bayou Trail system.
M2L landscape designer Leti Garcia represented M2L at the grand opening. “I was fortunate to be able to attend the grand opening of Lawndale Dog Park and see firsthand all of the community excitement around this project,” said Leti Garcia. “It’s always rewarding to see our work unveiled to the community, because I get to see the finished space through the eyes of the people who see it for the first time.”
Lawndale Dog Park is located at 6810 Lawndale St., Houston, TX 77023. Park hours are dawn to dusk.