Recommended Dog Park Gear

"We've been using the TUG leash at William R. Davie Park and McAlpine Creek dog parks for over a year now. The 360-degree swivel is a game-changer when your dog decides to circle around you three times while sniffing something interesting. The brake feels solid and responds instantly, which matters when you're walking near busy parking lots. One downside: the tape can get dirty quickly on muddy spring days. Best for medium to large dogs (50+ lbs) since smaller dogs don't need 16 feet of range."

"Early morning park visits are the best in Charlotte during summer, but visibility matters. This collar's reflective stitching is genuinely bright under headlights and phone flashlights. The neoprene padding is the real selling point though. Our Lab had neck irritation from cheaper collars after running hard, but this one stays comfortable even when she's soaking wet from the creek at Reedy Creek Park. The quick-release buckle is secure but easy to remove. Only con is sizing runs slightly small—order up if you're between sizes."

"Charlotte's humidity and heat mean your dog needs water more often than you'd expect. We learned this the hard way during a July afternoon at Frazier Park. This bottle lives in our car year-round now. The one-handed operation actually works as advertised, which matters when you're holding a leash. The unused water genuinely flows back into the bottle, so you don't waste any. Downside: the 19oz capacity only lasts about 3-4 drinks for our 60-lb dog. Best for shorter visits or as a supplement to park water stations."

"These bowls have survived two years of daily abuse and still look almost new. We clip one to the leash handle and keep the other in the car. They fold truly flat, which sounds simple but most collapsible bowls don't actually do this well. The silicone is thick enough that our dog can't knock it over while drinking, unlike the flimsier versions we tried first. Only complaint: the carabiner clips are a bit small and can be tricky with thick leash handles. Best for any dog owner who visits parks regularly."

"After trying at least a dozen brands, we keep coming back to Earth Rated. The thickness actually matters. We've had cheaper bags tear at Shuffletown Park on cold mornings when the plastic gets brittle. These don't. The unscented version is worth choosing since the lavender ones can be overwhelming. They tear cleanly from the roll without the frustrating half-tear that leaves you with an unusable piece. Only downside is they cost slightly more than budget brands. Best for anyone who's tired of cheap bags failing at the worst moment."

"If you want the eco-friendly option without sacrificing quality, these work. We've used them through Charlotte winters and they hold up in cold weather better than expected for biodegradable bags. The included dispenser clips securely to standard leashes and actually stays closed, unlike cheaper dispensers. The 540-count is incredible value for daily park visitors. Minor con: they're slightly thinner than Earth Rated, so you feel a bit more through the bag. Best for eco-conscious dog owners who visit parks frequently."

"We bought this after our dog cut her paw on broken glass at a Charlotte park. Now it lives in the car permanently. The tick remover has been useful multiple times after visits to Reedy Creek and McAlpine Creek where ticks are common spring through fall. The eye wash pods came in handy when our dog got something in her eye. The emergency blanket is sized for dogs, which seems obvious but many kits skip this. Downside: some items are small and need restocking after use. Best for any dog owner who wants to be prepared for minor emergencies."

"Charlotte summers are brutal with the humidity and heat. This vest genuinely works. We tested it at William R. Davie Park on a 90-degree day and our black Lab lasted twice as long before showing heat stress signs. The evaporative cooling works well even in Charlotte's humidity. Just soak it, wring it out, and zip it on. The UPF 50+ sun protection matters for lighter-colored dogs prone to sunburn. Downside: it's pricey and needs to be re-wet every 30-45 minutes. Best for dogs who overheat easily or owners who want to extend summer park visits."

"Our dog thinks every creek and water feature at every Charlotte park exists for her personal swimming pool. This towel lives in the trunk. The two-pack is smart because one is always drying while the other is ready. They genuinely absorb more water than regular towels, which matters when you're trying to avoid a soaking wet car interior. The hand pockets make it easy to really work through thick fur. After dozens of washes, they still work well and haven't gotten that musty smell cheap microfiber gets. Best for any dog who loves water."

"If you're driving to Charlotte dog parks regularly, protecting your back seat is essential. This cover fills the gap between front and back seats, giving our dog a flat surface to lie on during the drive home. The hard bottom insert is the key feature. Without it, dogs slip into the footwell area. The waterproof material has survived muddy paws from Shuffletown Park after rainstorms and wet fur from Ramsey Creek swims. Installation takes about 10 minutes the first time. Best for anyone with a dog who gets dirty or wet at the park."