With the days finally getting longer and more time to enjoy the outdoors, it’s easy to fill them with new adventures, especially when you have a fluffy companion by your side. Gwinnett is a bustling county, always growing and constantly on the rise. Yet, it’s easy to forget the many parks and hidden spots our community has to offer.
In an effort to discover some of these new places, I turned to Explore Gwinnett’s website for inspiration. My dog, Honey, is a three-year-old rescue from the Cobb County Animal Shelter whose love for running wild matches her ability to meet new furry friends. After a bit of research, we discovered McDaniel Farm Dog Park in Duluth, located near Gwinnett Place Mall. With two entrances connected by a two-and-a-half-mile trail that loops back to the start, the park is truly a hidden gem. The dog park itself sits near the east entrance, offering plenty of parking and an easy walk so that the fun can start right away.
The park features two play areas: one for smaller dogs under twenty pounds and another for larger dogs. While Honey believes she’s 20 pounds, she doesn’t fool anyone. I wasn’t the only owner enjoying the beautiful weather; golden retrievers, huskies and Saint Bernards all romped together, clearly as happy as their humans.
Honey, being part boxer, is always ready to live up to her breed’s lively reputation. It didn’t take long before she met a golden retriever named Penny, who was more than up for a friendly wrestling match. Thankfully, the park’s water fountain came in handy for two tired, thirsty pups after 10 minutes of non-stop play.
The park offered more than just space to run; it provided laughter, community and joy as we watched the many personalities of both dogs and owners mingle. When Honey finally decided she’d had enough of her “doggy fight club,” I knew we weren’t ready to head home just yet. A nice Saturday shouldn’t be wasted, so we made our way to downtown Duluth, only eight minutes away!
Downtown Duluth was bustling with activity. The parks were lively, shops were open and many businesses had water bowls waiting for their four-legged visitors. It made for a perfect walk to our next stop: 6S Brewery. This dog-friendly spot offered a relaxed atmosphere with a fantastic selection of beers, from lagers to IPAs and a few German-style favorites of mine. It was the ideal place to unwind and meet new friends, all while Honey basked in the attention of her newfound fans.
As the day came to a close, I headed home feeling grateful. After so many icy winter days we received at the start of the year, it felt amazing to finally get outside and explore the beauty our county has to offer. Gwinnett is full of wonderful places to visit and people to meet and with summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to make the most of where we live.