Gilroy Sports Park spreads across 79 acres on the south side of Gilroy and works well if you’re looking for a place to exercise your dog without the intensity of a full hiking trail. The park’s main draw is its sports facilities—soccer fields, baseball and softball courts, a jogging track—but what matters for you and your dog is the network of trails winding through the grounds and the open space around the perimeter.

The trails here are manageable rather than challenging, which makes them good for dogs that are still building endurance or aren’t as interested in steep climbs. You’ll get some elevation change and decent views of the surrounding mountains as a backdrop, but this isn’t a destination for serious hiking. The park sits in the lower foothills, so it can get warm in summer, especially if you’re out midday without much tree cover in certain sections.

The atmosphere is definitely family and sports-oriented, which means weekends get busy with organized games and events. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, which is when you might have an easier time walking your dog without navigating around teams and spectators. The park has playground areas too, so if you’re bringing kids along with your dog, there’s activity for everyone, though you’ll want to keep your dog clear of the active sports areas.

Parking is straightforward and accessible from the main entrance. There aren’t dedicated dog amenities like water stations or waste stations that I noticed, so bring water and bags with you. The mix of paved paths and dirt trails gives you options depending on what your dog prefers. On warmer days, stick to early morning or late afternoon when the sun isn’t as intense on those open stretches.