Though some in town have grander dreams for the future of this park, for now it's a sparse, unlandscaped area…More primarily used by dog owners.</p> <p>Dogs can run around off leash, so long as they are properly licensed, vaccinated, and within their handler's voice control. Puppies under four months old and female dogs in heat are prohibited.</p> <p>The park is equipped with a scoop dispenser and a trash barrel to make it easy for you to clean up after your pup, which is, of course, required.</p> <p> </p>

Crocker Park's shaded lawn and pathways lined with rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias and stone benches offer a…More place for outdoor reading or quiet contemplation. The park is also a lovely detour on your neighborhood dog walk, though you have to keep your pets on a leash.</p> <p>Beneath the Canary Island pines, a granite sculpture by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Bufano">Beniamino Bufano</a> of a bear nursing her two cubs is the centerpiece of the park.</p> <p>There's also a conveniently located U.S. Postal Service collection box just outside the park on Crocker Avenue.</p>

Located in the city center, Piedmont Park is arguably also the center of the city's universe. The vast sloping lawn…More that stretches between the Exedra Plaza and the Community Hall hosts the annual Harvest Festival, Fourth of July concert and Christmas tree lighting ceremony, as well as summer movies and impromptu Frisbee games. There's a "tot lot" with a jungle gym and swings fit for preschoolers just steps off of Highland Avenue. A steep path that winds for about a third of a mile along Bushy Dell Creek behind the Community Hall is enjoyed by dog walkers (who can let their pets go leash-free in this section of the park), joggers and ambitious bicyclists alike. There is a small outdoor amphitheater, and a traditional Japanese Tea House offers shady space for contemplation.</p> <p>Tennis fans will find two of Piedmont's well-used courts on the south side of the park near Guildford Road.</p> <p>On any given weekend you're likely to catch a wedding taking place on the Exedra plaza or at the Community hall, both of which are venues that can be rented for events through the Recreation Department.</p>

Chao Thai is a restaurant you could easily pass by without notice because of its unorthodox, but lovely, location.…More The restaurant sits at the end of a nondescript alley, with the most prominent item marking the restaurant being a freestanding sign that shows the restaurant's specials. What awaits someone who adventures down the alley is a charming and quaint restaurant with a tastefully decorated interior. There is also an outdoor seating area that is perfect for those with dogs.</p> <p> </p>