METROBARKS

The Metroparks aren’t just for you, they are also for your favorite furry four-legged friend. This year your Metroparks are hosting new pet-friendly events and more pet-friendly events to enjoy with your dog. Join us this summer for pet photos, dog adoptions, trail walks, and more. To explore pet-friendly programs, click on the park name tab above.

But remember, dogs are welcome in the Metroparks, but must be kept on a 6-foot leash. Be prepared to clean up your pet’s waste. Dogs are not allowed on nature trails, beaches or inside buildings. It is recommended that your dog(s) are up to date on vaccinations. If your dog is having a bad day or displaying aggressive behaviors, you may be asked to leave the program early.

Hudson Mills

METROBARKS: Dog Days of Summer

Saturday, August 24 ▶

Join us to celebrate International Dog Day! Bring your favorite four-legged friend out to the park anytime between 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. for activities, prizes, and all sorts of furry fun. Enjoy doggy water stations, water play, an off-leash area, agility course, and more.

What to Expect: It is recommended that your dog(s) are up to date on vaccinations. Dogs are required to remain on a 6-foot leash except when in off-leash dog areas. Please be prepared to clean up your pet’s waste. If your dog is having a bad day or displaying aggressive behaviors, you may be asked to leave the program early.

This program is entirely outdoors. Most this program will be spent walking. Expect to walk less than ¼ mile. The planned path surface is mostly flat and level lawn and is suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and adaptive walking equipment. No prior experience is necessary.

Ages: Fun for all ages!
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: Hudson Mills Metropark, Activity Center

Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program

Registration link will be added soon – stay tuned!

Huron Meadows

METROBARKS: Paws, Pose & Play Day

Saturday, April 27

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at our annual MetroBarks event. This dog focused event will feature all your dogs’ favorite activities. Visit vendors to purchase your pups’ favorite treats and products or learn more about pet services. An off-leash dog area including an agility course will be available for your dog to enjoy too!

New this year is Cartoon Canopy – two caricature artists will be on site for the entire event available to draw your pup for FREE! See below for a list of all vendors expected at this year’s event.

Registration for the free photo sessions is full BUT all other parts of the event including the off-leash area, pet vendors and caricatures* are open to everyone and require no registration!

*Caricatures are first-come, first-serve based on time available to the artists.

It is recommended that your dog(s) are up to date on vaccinations. Dogs are required to remain on a 6-foot leash except when in off-leash dog areas. Please be prepared to clean up your pet’s waste. If your dog is having a bad day or displaying aggressive behaviors, you may be asked to leave the program early.

Ages: Fun for all ages!
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: Free! A Metroparks daily or annual pass is required to enter any Metropark.
Location: Huron Meadows Metropark, Acorn Ridge Picnic Area

Vendors

Knightwing Media – A team of professional photographers who will be taking the pet photos
Dog Gone Delicious Dog Treats – Dog treat company selling all natural, human grade dog treats
Livingston County Animal Shelter – The shelter will have adoptable dogs on site available for meet & greets
Metroparks Mobile Learning Center – Learn about Michigan’s wild canines and other animals with the Metroparks’ interpretive staff
Fun Time Dog Shop – Pet supply company selling pet supplies that support charities. Fun Time Dog Shop donates 100% of profits from the products you purchase to non-profit dog rescue groups, canine cancer research, & animals needing emergency medical care.
Cartoon Canopy – Two caricature artists from Cartoon Canopy will be available to draw your pup for free
Longsnouts Dog Training – Dog training company that will have a “sniff and go area” with nosework equipment as well as information on dog training classes
Dogs of the Glen Mobile Grooming – A mobile grooming spa offering nail trimming on site for an additional fee
Furbaby Boutique – Pet boutique selling an assortment of pet goods including toys and treats on site
Pet Portraits by Jen – Artist offering custom drawn portraits of your pet for sale
Pet Butler – Offering information on their pet waste removal service company
Farmina Pet – Pet supplies and nutritional foods company

Stony Creek

METROBARKS: Paws, Pose & Play Day

Sunday, April 28

Join us for a fun filled afternoon at our MetroBarks event at the Oakgrove Off-Leash Dog Area! This dog focused event will feature your dog’s favorite activities. Visit vendors to purchase your pups’ favorite treats, bandanas, collars, and even have your pet’s caricature portrait drawn. Scroll down below to see a list of vendors.

Bring your pup in their best outfit to enter the Dog Fashion Show. Registration for the fashion show, presented by Advancing Macomb, will be open from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on site the day of the event. The first 45 dressed dogs to sign up will be accepted. The fashion show will run from 1 – 2 p.m. Visa gift card prizes will be awarded to first ($200), second ($100) and third ($50) place.

Capture the day by registering your pet for a FREE pet mini photo session at the MetroBarks: Paws, Pose, Play Day. Registration is required, and limited, for the mini photo sessions, so register today! For full photo session details and to register, click here.

All that plus a food truck and music!

Ages: Fun for all ages!
Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Free! A Metroparks daily or annual vehicle pass is required to enter any Metropark.
Location: Stony Creek Metropark, Oakgrove Off-Leash Dog Area

Vendors

Vendors providing FREE services at the event
- Knightwing Media – A team of professional photographers who will be taking the pet photos
- Cartoon Canopy – Two caricature artists from Cartoon Canopy will be available to draw your pup for free
Dog Food & Treats
- Dog Gone Delicious Dog Treats
- Farmina Pet Health
Pet Supply Stores & Boutiques
- Premier Pet Supply
- Furbaby Boutique
Pet Service Companies
- Hounds Town Detroit – boarding
- Happy Dog Daycare – boarding
- Mables Touch LLC – pet massage
- Sit Means Sit Training
- Planet Paws Pet Care – pet sitting
- Dog of the Glen Mobile Grooming – offering nail trims on site for additional fee
Rescues & Other Nonprofit Organizations
- Detroit Dog Rescue
- Leader Dogs for the Blind

METROBARKS: Paws in the Park

Explore Stony Creek Metropark with your furry friend! During each program, a park interpreter will meet you at different dog-friendly rustic trails throughout the park. Enjoy a nice hike through the woods as you discover the trees, wildflowers, and animals that call the Metroparks home.

It is recommended that your dog(s) are up to date on vaccinations. Dogs are required to remain on a 6-foot leash. Please be prepared to clean up your pet’s waste. If your dog is having a bad day or displaying aggressive behaviors, you may be asked to leave the program early.

What to Expect: This program takes place entirely outdoors. The time, approximately 90 minutes, will be spent on a leisurely walk with frequent stops. Expect to walk from ½ mile to 1.5 miles. The planned path surface is gravel and occasionally steep.

Saturday, April 13 – MetroBarks: Paws in the Park, Osprey Trails
Saturday, May 11 – MetroBarks: Paws in the Park, Trolley Trails
Saturday, June 8 – MetroBarks: Paws in the Park, Inwood Trails
Saturday, July 13 – MetroBarks: Paws in the Park, Sheldon Trails
Saturday, August 10 – MetroBarks: Paws in the Park, Osprey Trails
Saturday, September 14 – MetroBarks: Paws in the Park, Osprey Trails

Ages: Fun for all ages! Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $5 per adult, $3 per child
Location: Location varies by date.

Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program.

Click here for a full list of times and to register online.

Willow

Sunday, September 8 ▶

Mark your calendars MetroBarks: Paws at the Pool is returning to Willow Metropark on September 8, 2024. This dog focused event will features your dog’s favorite activities including pet-friendly vendors and a Pool-Pawty. More event details will be added soon – stay tuned!

Become A Vendor

Are you an organization or dog-friendly business that would like to participate at MetroBarks: Paw in the Pool as a vendor? We would love to have you! There is no registration fee to be a vendor, but a Metroparks daily or annual pass is required to enter the park. Each vendor is responsible for their own tent, table(s) and chair(s) for their booth, along with set up and teardown. If you are interested in participating please complete and submit the vendor registration form.

Click here to complete Vendor Registration Form.