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James O. Oates Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 560 Google reviews · Running trail in Dothan, Alabama · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from James O. Oates Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park with baseball fields, picnic tables, a playground, and a walking trail, plus a public restroom.
What runners say about James O. Oates Park
“Near the playgrounds are clean picnic tables (also covered) and bathrooms with a changing table and drinking fountains.”
“There is a pretty lake with a bird house and beautiful view of the sunset.”
“Love that they are shaded and the two areas are close together.”
Very nice and clean park with lots of parking! I was very impressed with the nice sports fields and loved the many sidewalks for walking. Very open and spacious. There is a pretty lake with a bird house and beautiful view of the sunset.
Great place for long walks and jogging if you don't mind the lack of shade trees or lush shrubbery and things like trellises with climbing vines or various flowers (though the park is surrounded by woods, & does have some smallish trees in its large parking lots).
We had my daughter's birthday party at the pavilion yesterday. The bathrooms and the park were right by the pavilion. There were ceiling fans and electricity. The kids could run in the grass and play tag away from the kids on the playground, and there was nothing obstructing us from seeing them on the playground…
Beautiful complex with lots to do! Playground area, walking paths, ball diamonds, pond area. Always feels safe and secure. Nice that there are benching throughout walking path to rest. Very well maintained and lots of convenient parking. Restrooms are tidy also.
Trail conditions & character
“Near the playgrounds are clean picnic tables (also covered) and bathrooms with a changing table and drinking fountains.”
“Love that they are shaded and the two areas are close together.”
“There is a pretty lake with a bird house and beautiful view of the sunset.”
“Very well maintained and lots of convenient parking.”
“Near the playgrounds are clean picnic tables (also covered) and bathrooms with a changing table and drinking fountains.”
“Playground and very clean and lights all through the park.”
Plan your run at James O. Oates Park
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitedothan.org
- Phone+1 334-615-3772
- Social Instagram
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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