This park is located on three acres within the Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 West Carter Road. This dog park was established in memory of Polk County Deputy Sheriff Vernon "Matt" Williams and his beloved K-9, DiOGi. The grand opening was held 07-14-07. It is Polk County's first dog park and it has dual areas for little and big dogs, each with colorful fire hydrants, agility training equipment, and shaded picnic shelters for the humans.

Note: We also have this park listed under Mulberry.

Note of 02-11-08: A reader tells us she visited this park recently, but wasn't impressed. She said there was no agility course as stated here, only dirt.

Note of 01-29-08: One of our readers wrote and said, "What a wonderful park! Besides a covered picnic table, there is also a drinking fountain for humans in both the small and large dog areas and this offers a great way to fill a bowl for your dog to drink. They have planted many trees which already offer some shade and have even landscaped outside the fence. Remember it is a new park. We found this park to be clean and well maintained. My only problem was with children who came with their mom and dog. The kids tried to play on the agility dog equipment. I explained that it was for the dogs only and the dogs couldn't play in their park on their equipment. I also offered them a ball to play with their dog. This is the only irresponsible dog owner I have met there. Thanks so much for this wonderful place. Woof, woof."

Note of 01-28-08: A reader said she and her son visited this park with their pug recently. She said they had so much fun, they ended up spending over three hours there.

Note of 10-05-07: One of our readers says they've visited this park about six times since it opened and have always found it clean and well-maintained. They said everyone they talk to praises this park and they passed along the following:

"We have waited a long time for a dog park here in the Lakeland/Mulberry area. Please encourage your readers to continue to use the park responsibly so we'll all have a great place for our dogs to play and socialize."

Note of 08-19-07: Another reader tells us this park was nice at first, but three weeks after opening, people are not picking up after their pets. It seems this nice new park is being overrun by irresponsible people.

"There are two waste bag dispensers in each section. I quit going because of the poop of the ground and I didn’t want my dog to step in it...why can’t people be responsible owners and pick up after their pets?"

Note of 08-12-07: One of our readers reports on a recent visit to this park:

"It's a nice, rather small park. There's only one shaded pavillion for the humans in each section. There is only one drinking fountain for the dogs. It's a small metal drinking pan that's partially buried that is on an automatic fountain to refill when the water drops low. The problem is that since it's so low, all the dogs are going in it to lay in the cool water. So it's best to bring your own dish for water. And for only being open for 2 days, there was a lot of waste on the ground where owners aren't picking up after their dogs. There is some agility equipment for the dogs in both the big and small dog area. All the dogs there were getting along great and having a lot of fun. All in all, it's a good start for the first park in Lakeland."

Other Lakeland area pet friendly areas:

Note of 06-14-05: We are told dogs on leashes are permitted in any of the city's parks without swimming pools. Those would include, but not be limited to, the following parks:

1. Adair Park. Located on Lakeland Hills Boulevard adjacent to historic Henley Field.

2. Barnett Family Park. Located at 121 South Lake Ave.

3. Carter Road Park, 500 W. Carter Road.

4. Curtis Peterson Park. Located at 3700 Cleveland Heights Boulevard.

5. Dobbins Park. Located at 514 W. Ariana Street.

6. Lake Bonny Park. Located on US 98, across from Lakeland High School.

7. Lake Mirror Park. Located on Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland.

8. Lake Parker Park. Located at 910 E. Granada Street.

NOTE: We can't visit every area on a regular basis, so if you have information about any dog parks or beaches, or any other animal recreation facilities, in the Lakeland area, please contact FloridaPets.net.