Barker Field is a fenced off-leash dog park at the south end of Richmond’s Byrd Park near the Dogwood Dell parking lot. It has separate areas for small and larger dogs and is open from sunrise to sunset.
Plan your visit
- Official address: 1300 Blanton Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220.
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
- Dog areas: Separate fenced spaces for small and larger dogs.
- Water: Visitors report a seasonal hose and water bowls. Bring backup water and a bowl.
- Parking: Use the Dogwood Dell parking lot at the south end of Blanton Avenue; do not park on the grass.
- Seating and shade: Visitors describe benches and shaded areas around the enclosures.
Find the dog park entrance
Use directions to Barker Field. Continue south on Blanton Avenue toward Dogwood Dell and use the adjacent parking lot. Follow the path and signs to the fenced dog areas, keeping your dog leashed until you are through the gate.
Play areas and comfort
The larger-dog enclosure provides the most running room, while the small-dog area offers a separate space with posted size guidance. Visitors describe a mix of dirt, grass around the edges, shade, benches and waste-bag stations.
Byrd Park also includes lakes, paths, picnic shelters, playgrounds and performance spaces. These amenities are outside the dog-park fence; leash your dog whenever you leave Barker Field.
Rules before you enter
Richmond lists Byrd Park and Barker Field as open from sunrise to sunset. Glass containers and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in city parks, and parking on the grass is not allowed.
Stay with your dog, keep a leash ready, clean up waste and use the enclosure appropriate for your dog’s size and temperament. Remove your dog immediately if play becomes unsafe or aggressive.
What parkgoers say
Many parkgoers praise the spacious large-dog field, separate small-dog area, shade, seating and community of regular visitors. Recent comments also mention seasonal water access, provided waste bags and generally well-maintained enclosures.
Other reviews report uneven waste cleanup, seasonal water interruptions, crowding and encounters with aggressive dogs or inattentive handlers. Experiences vary significantly, so watch interactions closely and leave if the group is not a good fit for your dog. Read recent Barker Field reviews before your visit.
Official updates and nearby options
Check Richmond’s official Byrd Park page and the city’s current dog-park directory for hours, access information and park rules.
To compare other places to play, browse our Richmond dog park directory or the wider Virginia dog park directory.