Louie is a playful two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who does not particularly enjoy walks, so outings are not very frequent for him. Most days, he stays around home, and longer trips usually happen only when we pick up his sister from school. Over time, this started to feel limiting. I wanted to show Louie a new environment, so I began looking for dog-friendly places in Malaysia. Although dog-accessible spaces have increased compared to the past, options are still limited. That search led us to Central Park Bandar Utama.
1. Why We Visited Central Park
Louie prefers staying indoors and does not enjoy regular walks. I once wondered if the heat and humidity were the reasons, but Malaysia is not always hot and humid. Our home is spacious, and Louie has plenty to keep him occupied, while encounters with unfamiliar dogs outdoors may not feel comfortable for him.Even though familiar spaces feel safe for a sensitive dog like Louie, I wanted him to experience something new. I decided to start visiting dog-accessible places one by one in Malaysia. Central Park Bandar Utama stood out first because it is located right next to 1 Utama Shopping Centre.
2. Going Out With Dogs In Malaysia
Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country, and cats are more commonly kept as pets than dogs. While dog-friendly spaces are gradually increasing, restrictions are still common. Most large shopping malls and restaurants do not allow dogs, and even when they do, access is often limited to outdoor or terrace areas.Because of this, I did not initially expect parks to be dog-friendly. Finding several parks that officially allow dogs, especially one close to home like Central Park, was a pleasant surprise.
3. Location And Parking
Central Park Bandar Utama is located right next to one of Malaysia’s largest shopping malls. The park is closer to the New Wing of 1 Utama rather than the Old Wing. The parking area designated for the park itself is quite small, making parking difficult at times.Parking at the park is free, which explains why it fills up quickly even on weekdays. For this reason, weekday visits are recommended over weekends. If you choose to park at the shopping mall instead, it is easier to drop off your dog and a companion near the park first before parking the car.
4. Size And Environment
Central Park is a small-scale park rather than a large one. The walking paths are well maintained, and the grassy areas are kept clean. One notable feature is the off-leash area, where dogs can run freely.The off-leash zone is accessed through a gated entrance. While the fence is not very tall, it can accommodate large dogs as well. However, there is no separation between small and large dogs, so close supervision is necessary.
When we visited, Louie was the only dog in the off-leash area, which made it easier to use. The space felt quite large for a small dog, so I did not let him roam freely for long. We also walked along the main path, and even Louie, who dislikes outings, managed to walk about half a lap comfortably.
5. Our Time At Central Park
Although Louie usually avoids walks, the new environment seemed to spark his curiosity. He walked about half the park before deciding he had enough, but he was happy to stay longer while riding in his stroller.Watching him explore new scents and surroundings made the visit feel worthwhile. The park is not large, so the walking time was short, but it provided enough stimulation for a small dog like Louie.
Reflections
This post shared our visit to Central Park Bandar Utama with Louie. While the park is not large, its accessibility, proximity to a major shopping mall, and designated off-leash area make it appealing. For Louie, the smaller size actually made the experience more comfortable and manageable.
I plan to continue exploring and sharing dog-friendly places around Malaysia. If you know any spots worth visiting with dogs, I would love to hear about them.