Heartland Dog Park is a fully fenced, off-leash dog park located within Hecker Pass Park on 3rd Street in Gilroy. The setup is straightforward—a low chain link fence encloses a large grassy area where dogs can run freely, with a paved walking path running through it. The views here are genuinely impressive, with the Santa Cruz Mountains visible across the landscape, and the sunsets are worth timing a visit around if you can.

The park doesn’t separate dogs by size, so if you have a small dog, you’ll want to keep an eye on the action and be ready to move to a quieter spot if needed. There are a few benches scattered around, though shade is minimal, so on hot days you might want to bring an umbrella or plan for early morning or late afternoon visits. Waste bags and trash receptacles are provided, which keeps things manageable.

The drinking fountain for both dogs and people is located just outside the entrance gate rather than inside the play area, so plan accordingly if you’re staying for a while. What makes this spot worth the trip is the dog-friendly bike and walking path that runs behind the park. After your dog has had a good off-leash run, you can extend the outing with a walk along that path—it’s a nice way to tire them out further and explore beyond just the fenced area.

The park works well as part of a larger Hecker Pass Park visit, so if your dog gets bored or you want to vary the activity, there’s more to explore in the surrounding area. It’s a decent neighborhood option without feeling cramped, especially on weekdays when it’s quieter.