Pokeno Dog Exercise Area is a dog-friendly walking track at Pokeno, Franklin, and it holds a 4.5 rating on Google. A good dog exercise area gives dogs room to run, sniff and socialise, and the first thing worth checking is whether the space is fully fenced before an enthusiastic dog comes off the lead. Regulars arrive prepared, with water, poo bags and something to wipe muddy paws, because such parks rarely have facilities on hand. In farming country like Franklin, exercise areas can border stock, so closing gates and watching boundaries is simply part of the routine. Cooler mornings and evenings are kindest to dogs in summer. For Pokeno locals — and anyone breaking the drive between Auckland and Hamilton — it makes an easy stop for a proper leg-stretch and a good run.