Every city has its dog parks, and maybe even a dog park with a pond... but the shores of Lake Erie is where it's at for you and your furry friend.
This is my favorite place to take my pup. It's located at the intersection of Columbia and Lake road in Bay Village. This particular spot has it all. There's plenty of open water surrounded by just the right amount of sand, and also to the left of the pathway that takes you down to the lake, there's a gorgeous waterfall.
It doesn't get much more Cleveland than Edgewater Beach. Edgewater has one of the best views of the Cleveland skyline, even though I'm pretty sure that won't matter to your dog. There's a pathway that walks along the water and is perfect for sight seeing and cruising with your pup. Once you've explored the pathway you can take your dog to the west end of the beach to the designated doggy area — he or she can swim until they can't anymore. My dog almost always passes out in the car ride back home. There are always plenty of dogs around on nice days which makes for a very playful experience.
Lakewood Beach Park is located in Sheffield Lake, and is a great spot to take your pet. It's located off Lake Road, just like the Columbia Park, except it's further west. This park is open from dawn to dusk and there's also a picnic table and grilling area.
This location is a bit east from Cleveland, but if you live near that part of town, it's a great option. There's a designated dog swimming area — besides that they should be kept on a leash. You can't miss the signs that clearly indicate the dog friendly areas.
For those that live more towards the south side of Cleveland, Bow Wow Beach is a 7.5 acre fenced in dog park in Stow. The park includes a 3 acre lake, waste deposit stations, dog washing stations, and even separate areas for smaller dogs.