HomeMassachusettsSouth Dennis › Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area

Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 228 Google reviews · Running trail in South Dennis, Massachusetts · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area'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.

LoopShadedDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Park featuring tennis, baseball, and basketball courts, plus a kids' playground, and picnic facilities.

What runners say about Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (228 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Basketball & tennis courts , soccer & baseball fields, well maintained playground for little ones, covered picnic area with tables & public grills, restrooms, AND a .”

🌳 shaded & cool 4 mentions

“60 mile shaded walking/running loop with stand alone exercise stations.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“Dog friendly, as long as they are on leash.”

Johnny Kelly serves the tiny to the old. One of the few playgrounds with equipment to provide activities for all ages. From a toddler area to mainstream youth. Forts, swings, climbing challenges are grouped in one area.

★★★★★ — Gary , Oct 2020

The best playground for younger kids. They have a lot of features that work well with the 2 and under age group including a slide that has rubber instead of wood chips. Plenty of climbing features for the older kids as well as trails for walking the stroll.

★★★★★ — John , Sep 2022

Bocce court, basketball court, tennis courts, soccer & lacrosse fields, fitness trail, kids playground, and covered picnic area. This park has it all, and PLENTY of shade! Great for any activity!

★★★★★ — Cameron , Aug 2022

Great Location in the heart of South Dennis. Tennis, basketball, softball or baseball and soccer field. Bike trail definitely plenty of things to do here

★★★★★ — Angela , May 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 228 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 10 mentions

“Great for a walk, with exercise locations, you can walk your dogs here.”

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🚻 Restrooms 6 mentions

“Basketball & tennis courts , soccer & baseball fields, well maintained playground for little ones, covered picnic area with tables & public grills, restrooms, AND a .”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“60 mile shaded walking/running loop with stand alone exercise stations.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“60 mile shaded walking/running loop with stand alone exercise stations.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitetown.dennis.ma.us

Hours

Monday 9 am–9 pm
Tuesday 9 am–9 pm
Wednesday 9 am–9 pm
Thursday 9 am–9 pm
Friday 9 am–9 pm
Saturday 9 am–9 pm
Sunday 9 am–9 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area

180 Old Bass River Rd, South Dennis, MA 02660

Get directions

Running trails near South Dennis

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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All running trails in South Dennis, MA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.