Pet-Friendly Atlanta: Herbert Taylor Park

 Herbert Taylor Park sign

People without dogs often seem to think that dogs don’t have personalities.  But, if you’re a dog owner, you know that every dog is as unique as every person. 

Dogs running

Some, for example, love fenced-in dog parks.  Our dogs don’t really like them. 

Abby with a dog

Chewy gets intimidated by the large dogs running in crazy circles at the big dog parks, and Abby gets bored. 

Woods at Herbert Taylor Park

Instead, they prefer woods and fields in which we can take long walks.

Leaf at Herbert Taylor Park Dog at Herbert Taylor Park
Little dogs Little dogs
Their favorite park in Atlanta is Herbert Taylor Park.  Set smack in the center of the Virginia Highlands area, it’s easy to miss unless you know it’s there. 

Dogs running at Herbert Taylor

Once you enter, you could forget that midtown Atlanta is only a few miles south and Emory University is less than a mile to the west.  The neighborhoods disappear in wide pathways of pine needles and giant trees.

 

Dogs at Herbert Taylor Park

Dogs at Herbert Taylor Park beach

Dog owners know about this place.  In fact, most walkers at Herbert Taylor Park bring their dogs with them, usually off-leash but some on-leash, to run and romp through the woods. 

Dogs at Herbert Taylor Park beach

Eventually, all the dogs and people wind up at the small beach area facing running streams and rivers to the extreme left of the park when you enter. 

Dogs playing at Herbert Taylor park beach

Dogs splashing at Herbert Taylor Park

Happy dogs splash in the water and tired, wet dogs return home.

Details

Herbert Taylor Park is located on Johnson Road.  The easiest way to get there is to take East Rock Springs Road, coming from North Decatur, and make a right onto the first major road immediately after the large townhouses on the right.  Keep going down that road and you'll see Herbert Taylor Park on your right.  (Sorry for these vague directions but it's fairly clear once you get onto the roads).

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08/16/2011 18:29
Hey there! Found you through PBU...can't wait to hear about the QE2! Love your photos.
Finn's recent blog post: Waiting for Daddy to Come Home
08/17/2011 07:40
Thank you so much Finn! And welcome to our site! We just arrived in Europe a few weeks ago and are loving our time here.
08/16/2011 18:52
What a great idea! My mom would love to travel like you! I've only been as far as Canada though.
Mister's recent blog post: Birthdays
09/27/2011 16:07
Canada's a good one - Chewy and Abby haven't been there (yet)!
Akila's recent blog post: Traveling With Dogs Isn't Crazy
06/06/2012 11:13
Hi,

I'm Herbert Taylor's grand-daughter. I just want to share what a big smile I got when I saw this. My Papa LOVED dogs -- he always walked into our home and directly to the dog treats -- and he would have loved that the park in his honor is so animal friendly. Thanks for celebrating!

Elaine :)
Elaine Taylor-Klaus's recent blog post: Know your limits
07/05/2012 08:24
Elaine, Thank you so much for this amazing comment! Herbert Taylor Park is our absolute favorite park in the city --- we always call it a little oasis amidst the chaos. We're actually seriously considering moving very close to that park because we love it so much and love walking our dogs there. I hope that you get the chance to visit it because you'll be amazed by how many happy dogs are always romping and playing at the park. This comment really made my day. Thank you!

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Akila writes. Patrick takes photos. Chewy eats. Abby runs. We live, love, and travel in this world.
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