Freedom Barkway Dog Park — Attraction in Atlanta

I’ve taken my dogs here a few times before when it was less busy and it was great they had a lot of fun! But this time I brought my big dog around 65 pounds and a small schnauzer I was watching. The schnauzer gets along with big dogs really well so we went in the big dog area and I thought I’d just sit with her or hold her to make sure no one gets to rough with her. At one point my big dog ran away so I picked her up and held her to go look after him. When this happens and a big grey dog starts jumping up and nipping and trying to dominate the little schnauzer I’m holding. I pushed him away but he kept trying to dominate her. At this point I’m constantly pushing this big dog down while holder her and no one comes to help me despite there being at least 20 people watching this happen. This dog’s parents are no where to be found. One woman who is just standing around says instead of helping me, “FYI if you hold a dog up like that the other dogs will think she’s a toy or something.” First of all no other dog had a problem and this dog had already went after countless other animals since we got there. I know for a fact he was trying to dominate her considering I work with dogs everyday and I am very well educated on dog behavior and it would have been much worse if I put her down. Eventually, someone comes to help me and they finally find this dog’s owners. I am just frustrated at the lack of help when I was obviously struggling and the snarky remark made by a very rude woman. I made the mistake of bring a small dog in there which I will never do again, but what is someone suppose to do when they have two very differently sized dogs. I’m offended that it was somehow my fault for this dog’s behavior. And I beg everyone to watch their dogs at the dog park. If a dog starts to act like this correct them immediately. This is not normal behavior like others would suggest. This is dominate behavior that could have lead to something...

For the big dog side, it looks like a ton of thought, design, and resources went into creating and maintaining it. It was actually gorgeous.

The area for the small dogs is about the size of my backyard, and looked quite dismal. I don't know why they wouldn't continue the design and the aesthetic of the rock wall all the way across. It's like they want to make a statement to small dogs that they don't matter...

Anyway, my energetic, small dog met a handful of older dogs her size, but they didn't want to play. Thankfully, a medium sized dog (that plays on both sides) came in to run with her for a bit.

The owners were all sweet, respectful, and seemed to know each other. As a neighborhood park, the small dog side suffices, but no one would call it nice.

It was a great touch that just outside the gate, there is a dog rinsing station. We didn't use it bc the sun was gone when we left, but it's a great idea! Most parks have signs to discourage washing your dogs after they play in the dirt and mud. I gave her a (warm) bath when we got home, bc she was definitely dirty from...

Park itself: 5 stars. Dog owners at the park: 3 stars.

Freedom Barkway has become our go to dog park. There are bags, trash cans, a few benches, fresh water and tennis balls. Parking is usually relatively easy. My only issue is that many of the dog owners are not “well trained”. I’ve noticed a tendency for people to have an extremely relaxed approach to monitoring their pet meaning owners are nowhere in sight. We’ve had two instances where a dog was being very aggressive towards Lola and the other dog owners were no where in sight. One time in particular a small dog was in the large dog area and decided to single out my dog to try to dominate. My dog is 55lbs so I was genuinely concerned for the little dog. Long story short, I yelled for help and no one did anything even though there were at least half a dozen people in close proximity. Pretty sad. Don’t get me wrong. I love socializing with other dog owners but I never become so consumed that I can’t easily get to my dog or don’t know where my dog is...