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Ruth Rafferty Peyton Dog Park

Charleston, WV, is home to Ruth Rafferty Peyton Dog Park, a recreation space where Fido and his furry companions can play together off-leash. This park has many amenities, including benches, drinking water access, shaded areas, a picnic table and more. Visit Website

Or call (304) 348-6860 for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating

Ruth Rafferty Peyton Dog Park has received a rating of 2.5 out of 5 bones by 8 canine critics on BringFido.

  • Michael
    Jul 28, 2023
    Great Spot!

    Good stop for dogs needing to stretch their legs. Fully fenced w/ area for small dogs or those needing their own space. Shaded area for humans. Water fountains not working—bring your own water! 10/10 would visit again!

  • Jason
    Aug 10, 2018
    Busiest dog park in the area

    While the park is small and the location can be a little sketchy at times, if you're looking to socialize your dog with other dogs this is your best bet in Charleston. You're more likely to encounter other playful dogs here than you are anywhere else, since it's surrounded by apartment dwellers who don't have many other options. In that sense, the location is the park's best feature.

    As others have said, I wouldn't recommend this park for the tiniest of dogs. It would be easy for them to escape the fence and get hit by traffic. There is also nowhere for them to be separated from large dogs.

  • Kayla
    More than a year ago
    Kinda Sad

    The park was decent as it was just a stop for a break while driving south. Other than that, I couldn't imagine this being the only dog park option for my dog. No separation for sizes was available and I imagine small dogs could slip through the fence (as mentioned in other posts) and larger dogs could probably hop it. The benches are close enough to the fence that my dog actually considered jumping off it and over so even medium dogs probably aren't the best either. To top it off water fountain wasn't working (and by the looks of it hadn't for a while) and the place didn't look well kept overall. It seemed to be a last thought for the city which saddens me. My dog did have a good time running around however, so I guess the saving grace is that there is actually a park here instead of an empty lot.

  • Brandi
    More than a year ago
    N/a

    It is ok it needs better fencing I went one time and my small dog slipped through the fence

  • Kozmo's Human
    More than a year ago
    Small but nice

    This is a small dog park in the city. Stopped twice while visiting friends. It was a great place to let my dog run off some energy from the car trip. It is just one fenced in area so big dogs and little dogs are together. A shady picnic table for humans and fresh water to rinse paws.

  • Amanda
    More than a year ago
    Ok Park

    We stopped here while in town visiting family for the holidays. Its very small. But was clean even though there were muddy spots from the recent rain. Lots of sidewalk traffic that caused the dogs to run the fence and bark. We had the place to ourselves. It served its purpose to allow our dogs to stretch their legs after being in the car all day.

  • Suzanne
    More than a year ago
    Duplicate! ONLY ONE PARK in CHARLESTON!

    Heading there now...but Rafferty and Charleston dog parks are the SAME park. will comment later.

  • Denise
    More than a year ago
    RN

    This park is o.k. I have been taking my dog there for the past month. It is kind of small and there is no separation of large and small dog areas. This really has not caused a problem but is worth mentioning.
    They provide water and poop scoop bags.
    The same usual group of people are there each evening and usually a group of well mannered, well socialized animals, with few exceptions.
    We had one REALLY bad experience and that was 7/24/12 in the evening when a man of about 25 - 35 years of age brought in a fearful and initially aggressive pit bull dog into the park. All of the other dogs rushed to greet the newcomer (as the ALWAYS do) and the dog started barking and snapping. The man started yelling "Get your dogs away before they get bit or KICKED!" as people scrambled to get their puppies and dogs to safety. And then, instead of his leaving (as one should if one has a not well socialized dog) EVEYONE else either left or was there holding their dogs/puppies or keeping them on a leash while this intimidating/innapropriate PERSON (yes, I said peson, it was NOT the dog who was being innapropriate, it was the owner) monopolized the whole park) and refused to leave.
    I called for my ride then kept "911" on my speed dial in case I would need them before my ride got there.
    Eventually, the young pit bull calmed down and did start playing with the other dogs, then, without warning and for no apparent reason, the owner struck the dog fuill across the face! It's no wonder the animal had been fearful and aggressive on arrival, most abused animals are.
    This one incidence has ruined over a months nearly every evenings peaceful enjoyment of the park and I am debating whether I will ever take my dog back to the Charleston Ruth RaffertyPeyton Dog Park at the corner of Maxwell and Washington Streets. Once one no longer feels that they or their beloved pet are safe in a place, it can permanently ruing the experience.
    This is a shame because my dog really loves going there. And my dog is a well socialized, very playful and loving animal. So I am looking for another dog park to take her to after the bad experience that we had last night at the above park. But her safety is of the utmost importance.

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Ruth Rafferty Peyton Dog Park