wellness
Preston’s Best Dog-Friendly Parks Are Now Social Fitness Hotspots
Here’s where locals are meeting up for cardio, community, and canine playtime, in Preston’s green spaces.
How we reported this
Word is out in Preston: our dog-friendly parks aren’t just for walks and fetch anymore. In the past year, open spaces like Moor Park and Ashton Park have rapidly become hubs for group fitness, casual sports, and neighbourhood meetups, all woven around the city’s love for four-legged companions.
This shift comes at a time when Preston’s appetite for wellness is growing and residents are actively seeking alternatives to gyms or expensive classes. With rising numbers of remote workers and a boom in dog ownership since 2020, locals have been craving both physical activity and social contact. The welcoming atmosphere of community parks is filling that gap, especially during long summer evenings when the city’s larger green spaces buzz with activity.
Where Dogs and Fitness Mix
Moor Park, flanked by Garstang Road and Deepdale Road, has long been a staple for dog walkers, but in recent months, its open fields and tree-lined paths have drawn bootcamp groups, running clubs, and yoga classes that openly encourage canine members to tag along. On Saturday mornings, the Friends of Moor Park local group host a free-to-join circuits class on the park’s north lawn, dogs of all sizes are welcome, and water bowls dot the edge of the session. Meanwhile, Ashton Park on Pedders Lane has leaned into its role as a social fitness venue. Its fenced dog exercise area makes it especially popular among families and young professionals looking to combine off-leash play with a brisk jog around the perimeter path.
Both parks have added new dog-waste stations in 2025 and introduced extra benches for group meetups, funded in part by Preston City Council’s Parks and Open Spaces team. Across Preston, the number of dogs registered with the council rose by more than 20% from 2021 to 2025, according to council data. The free weekly ParkPlay event, launched in spring 2026 at Moor Park, regularly sees over 60 residents, half with dogs in tow, turn out for team games, jogs and social time every Sunday morning. Participation remains free, and the Friends of Moor Park estimate at least a third of attendees join primarily to meet other local dog owners.
Getting Involved: Next Steps for Locals
If you’re keen to combine fitness goals with time outdoors and social dog walks, Preston offers several options. The ParkPlay calendar (available on their official website) shows weekly meetups at Moor Park starting Sundays at 10:00am. For those near Ashton Park, informal group jogs set off from the car park at 7:30am on Wednesdays and Fridays. Local social media groups frequently advertise pop-up dog-friendly yoga and circuit sessions, many of which are free or ask only for a small donation to park funds (usually £2-£3 per class).
As summer stretches on, organisers expect numbers to keep rising, and the council has announced plans for new dog agility equipment at Ashton Park by September 2026. While every dog (and owner) has different exercise needs, Preston’s parks now make it easier than ever to blend movement, fresh air, and community connection. As always, check individual park rules and consult a local vet or trainer for advice before starting a new fitness routine with your pet.