PEAR dog parks cater to every pup’s need

While pups aren’t allowed throughout most of Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Reserve (PEAR) Park, five yards there are for the dogs.

The Leesburg dog park has an abundance of fenced-in areas for unleashed canines to roam — including one specifically for people and pooches with physical impairments.

The park is largely shaded by several large trees, though there are sunny spots. Each grassy yard has sandy spots — some larger than others — but pet parents need not fret over dirty dogs because there’s a wash station to take care of messy mutts.

5241 Legacy Leesburg Blvd.,

6:30 a.m.-dusk

There is a small parking lot with handicap, compact car and regular spaces. There is additional parking nearby, but it isn’t reserved for the dog park.

PEAR Park has an abundance of yards: Small dogs area (up to 25 pounds), medium dogs yard (26-50 pounds), and large dogs yard (over 50 pounds). Plus, there’s also a mixed dogs area for pups of all sizes to play as well as a yard specifically for pups and pet parents with physical impairments.

There are a few pet waste stations on the brick and grass paths outside the dog yards; two each inside the small, medium and mixed dog areas; and three each inside the large and physical impairment yards. In addition, each yard entryway has a trash can.

While there are ample water stations at PEAR Park, it’s a simpler and older spigot atop a wood plank with freestanding bowls beneath. The bowls tend to be dirty, so wash one out before letting your pup rehydrate. There’s one water station each outside the mixed breed yard and inside the small and medium dog yards; two each inside the mixed and physical impairment yards; and three in the large dog area.

Large trees provide