Bruno and Rosie ask: Cosmos, we really enjoy taking leashed walks through the Park with our owner, but we’d also like to run around on our own with some of our buddies in the neighborhood. Are there any good leash-free areas in Balboa Park?

Oh, how you are going love running leash-free through Balboa Park’s three spacious dog parks: Nate’s Point, Morley Field, and Grape Street in South Park. Now, as Balboa Park’s resident doggie blogger, it is my duty to give you the lowdown on each one, starting in this blog post with Morley Field.

Located at the west end of the Morley Field Sports Complex, next to the tennis courts, it is quite easy to get to. Its entrance is near the intersection of Alabama St. and Morley Field Dr. and there is ample free parking. The main off-leash area consists of an immense grassy field, dotted with small trees, perfect for running and fetching. Spread out around the area are several litterbag dispensing stations to clean up any messes. And, thanks to the Canine Council of Morley Field [www.caninecouncilofmorleyfield.com] and its supporters, there is finally a drinking fountain, very important this time of year. This dog park also provides easy access to the Florida Canyon Nature Trails, which I can explore when I’m back on leash.

Hopefully in the near future, funding will permit the addition of more lighting for night roaming, fencing (for mommy’s peace of mind), and a few picnic tables. In the meantime, I’ll just enjoy frolicking with my Morley Field pack.

I can’t wait for lunchtime because in addition to getting to chow down, my mom often walks me over to the Spanish Village Art Center. We are always greeted by some of the artists who have studios and galleries there. The picnic tables and benches in the courtyard are a popular place for folks to eat their lunches that they brought over from the nearby Village Grill…and I ain’t too proud to beg!

The picturesque plaza surrounded by little cottages was originally built for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition to recreate a quaint village in Spain. Now home to 37 studio galleries used by over 250 working artists, just about every kind of hand-crafted art is represented, including painting, sculpture, metalwork, jewelry, ceramics, glass work, gourd art, printmaking, photography, and fiber art. In addition, the Art Center offers free Wi-Fi in its colorful flagstone-covered courtyard, giving me a chance to post some blogs and check my reader emails and comments.

I’m really looking forward to their annual Open House event on Saturday, July 19, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. The entire village will be lit up, and there will be live entertainment and great food, all for free. In my experience, some of this free food invariably ends up on the ground, and I’m always happy to do my part to clean it up!