Highlands Park is located next to Highlands School off the north side of Pine Hollow Road between Pennsylvania Boulevard and Louisiana Drive in Concord. This 9-acre park consists of rolling turfed terrain with a variety of trees and meandering paths that wind through the property in a way that keeps things interesting even on repeat visits. The landscape includes two creative play areas for children, ball fields, and several picnic spots scattered throughout.

The walking paths are genuinely pleasant for a dog walk. The terrain rolls enough that you’ll get a little elevation change without it being strenuous, and the mature trees provide decent shade, which matters on warmer Contra Costa County days. The park has waste bag dispensers and trash cans positioned throughout, so you won’t need to carry supplies the whole way. There are mountain views visible from various spots around the grounds, and the grassy open space gives you room to move without feeling confined.

The park does get busy at times, so parking on the nearby streets can be challenging. You might need to circle a bit or park a short walk away, especially during afternoon hours or on weekends when people are using the ball fields and picnic areas. It’s worth arriving earlier in the day if you can.

One important thing to note: dogs must remain on leash while at Highlands Park. So while it’s a solid spot for a shaded walk with some elevation and good amenities, this isn’t a place where your dog gets to run freely. If you’re looking for that kind of experience, you’d want to head to one of the larger open-space preserves in the area instead. For a structured leashed walk with decent scenery and decent facilities, though, Highlands Park does the job well.