Is a membership required?

Yes. Access to Cardinal Bark Park runs through Brownsburg Parks and Rec, and reviewers report a fee of about $10 a month for unlimited visits during park hours.

Is there a separate small-dog area?

Yes, and the members who use it describe it as genuinely spacious rather than a token side yard.

Are the gates secure?

Sally-port double gates handle every entry and exit, which one reviewer credits with stopping door-darters from slipping out.

Is there water on site?

Dog-height drinking fountains run through the warm months, plus a hose for filling bowls. A public restroom sits just outside the fence.

Does it get muddy after rain?

Not much. The park was built recently with drainage in mind, and one member reports only a few puddles after a storm.

All Dog Parks

Cardinal Bark Park

Brownsburg's $10-a-month members park with a hill, tunnel, and a B&O Trail connection

4.5 · Our score

•

Off-leash Fenced Water

Get Directions

About this park

Cardinal Bark Park is a purpose-built fenced park run by Brownsburg Parks and Rec, split into separate large- and small-dog yards with sally-port double gates, water fountains, and a small play hill and tunnel. The grounds sit right off the B&O Trail, so members often walk over from the neighborhood instead of driving.

Amenities

Off-leash Fenced Water Shade Benches Parking Restrooms Small-dog area Large-dog area Double-gate Trash cans

Cardinal Bark Park reviews

What visitors consistently say

The highlights

Reviewers praise the cleanliness, the separated size yards, and the sally-port gates that keep door-darters from escaping during entries and exits. Small-dog owners get a real fenced yard at Cardinal Bark Park, not an afterthought, and that gets called out often.

The community

Quiet most of the day, friendly regulars who know each other's dogs. Reviews note no fights or aggressive incidents across years of visits.

Best for

Small dogs Large dogs Social dogs

Before you go

Membership runs about $10 a month through Brownsburg Parks and Rec; pick up the access fob from their office before your first visit. Drainage is solid after rain since the park was built recently with that in mind.

Frequently asked

Is a membership required?: Yes. Access to Cardinal Bark Park runs through Brownsburg Parks and Rec, and reviewers report a fee of about $10 a month for unlimited visits during park hours.
Is there a separate small-dog area?: Yes, and the members who use it describe it as genuinely spacious rather than a token side yard.
Are the gates secure?: Sally-port double gates handle every entry and exit, which one reviewer credits with stopping door-darters from slipping out.
Is there water on site?: Dog-height drinking fountains run through the warm months, plus a hose for filling bowls. A public restroom sits just outside the fence.
Does it get muddy after rain?: Not much. The park was built recently with drainage in mind, and one member reports only a few puddles after a storm.