wellness
Dog-friendly parks that double as social fitness hubs
Tucson dog owners are turning local parks into regular spots for group walks, runs and strength sessions that fit around work and family schedules.
How we reported this
Tucson dog owners now meet several times a week at parks equipped with fenced areas and open trails, turning routine pet walks into structured fitness sessions that draw 50 to 80 participants on weekday evenings.
The trend has grown since the city expanded off-leash zones in 2024, giving residents an outdoor option during months when indoor gyms feel less appealing. Heat warnings issued by the National Weather Service for Pima County have pushed more people to start sessions before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m., when temperatures drop below 95 degrees.
Two parks drawing steady crowds
Reid Park, bordered by 22nd Street and Country Club Road, hosts a Tuesday and Thursday morning group that begins at the east-side dog run before moving onto the 1.8-mile perimeter path. Participants often bring resistance bands and use picnic tables for body-weight circuits while dogs remain in the adjacent fenced section. Fort Lowell Park, located off Fort Lowell Road near Swan Road in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood, runs a similar Saturday program organized through the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department, where runners complete loops on the dirt trails before cooling down inside the dog park enclosure.
Both sites added hydration stations and shaded benches last year, reducing the need for participants to carry extra water for their dogs. Local residents report seeing the same faces week after week, with some forming smaller groups that continue on the Rillito River Path after the main session ends.
Numbers and next steps
City of Tucson parks records show a 28 percent rise in dog park permits issued between January 2025 and June 2026, with Reid Park alone logging more than 12,000 individual visits in the first half of this year. Annual permits cost $25 for city residents and include access to all designated dog areas.
Anyone interested can check the Tucson Parks and Recreation website for updated start times or arrive at either park on the listed days with a current license tag on their dog. Water fountains and waste bags are provided on site, and first-time visitors are asked to keep dogs on leash until they reach the fenced sections.