HomeWisconsinRacine › Karen A. Nelson Memorial Dog Park

Karen A. Nelson Memorial Dog Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 239 Google reviews · Running trail in Racine, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Karen A. Nelson Memorial Dog 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.

Natural surfaceShadedDog-friendlyWater

What runners say about Karen A. Nelson Memorial Dog Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (239 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Really loved it the two sections for small dogs in large dogs very clean and just being around other dog owners a very great experience”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“The area is huge, grassy, park benches placed in right spots for the humans to sit in shade and lots of trees.”

We take our dog here all the time. He absolutely loves it. It has a very large area for him to run and play. They have 2 separate areas for big and little dogs. They provide doggie bags. They keep the grass cut and the weeds maintained. I like that they surround the entrance with wood chips so it doesn't get muddy.

★★★★★ — Sarah , Jun 2018

It is nice that it has a small dog and large dog sites. The small dog sides has some very nice pine and shade trees. There are plenty of bags on both sides for you to pick up after your dog. For some reason they started cutting down the trees on the large dog side.

★★★★☆ — Just , Mar 2018

What. Afbulous place to take your pups for a good run and play! The area is huge, grassy, park benches placed in right spots for the humans to sit in shade and lots of trees. Nice are for small dogs too. Highly recommend this dog park, your fur babies and you won't regret this stop!

★★★★★ — Dawn , Sep 2022

Always a very lovely place to go, even if the swimming falls at the moment. I can't wait for it to reopen, but it does not look like it's going to open this season. But it's always still a nice park to go. Take a walk in, take your dogs or even just to sit and have a picnic

★★★★★ — Lisa , Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 239 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 88 mentions

“Really loved it the two sections for small dogs in large dogs very clean and just being around other dog owners a very great experience”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“I like that they surround the entrance with wood chips so it doesn't get muddy.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“The area is huge, grassy, park benches placed in right spots for the humans to sit in shade and lots of trees.”

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🚰 Water fountains 3 mentions

“Very nice that they have water stations and provide bags to pick up after your dog if you forget yours.”

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Plan your run at Karen A. Nelson Memorial Dog Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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 trailheadwater — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteracinecounty.com

Hours

Monday 5 am–9 pm
Tuesday 5 am–9 pm
Wednesday 5 am–9 pm
Thursday 5 am–9 pm
Friday 5 am–9 pm
Saturday 5 am–9 pm
Sunday 5 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 Karen A. Nelson Memorial Dog Park

3800 Northwestern Ave, Racine, WI 53404

Get directions

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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.