If you need a list of the best dog parks in Chicago, below we’ve featured 9 of the city’s finest.
1. Wiggly Field Dog Park
Wiggly Field Dog Park is a fully fenced area designed specifically for off-leash pooches to run and play. Situated at the western end of Reed-Keppler Park, Wiggly Field Dog Park is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. To use the park, your dog must have an up-to-date identification tag and all necessary vaccinations. They must also be on a leash when you arrive and leave.
Wiggly Field Dog Park is open to dogs of all sizes (smaller dogs may prefer to visit the adjoining South Paw Dog Park, dedicated to dogs under 30lbs) and has some dog agility equipment to keep your four-legged friend occupied. Dog handlers must be at least 16 years old and must supervise their dogs and carry a leash at all times.
2. Norwood Park Dog Park
Norwood Park Dog Park is an off-leash dog park in the Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago. The park is 0.13 acres in size, has lots of convenient parking, and plenty of room for your dog to explore. There is a drinking fountain for thirsty dogs, shaded benches to relax on and supervise your dog from, and poop bags to make it easy to clean up after your pet.
Dogs must be leashed for arrival and departure, must be vaccinated, dewormed, and licensed. Each owner may only bring three dogs to the park at a time, and puppies under 4 months are not allowed in. The park is maintained by the Norwood Dog Park Association who sometimes host events at the park.
3. Puptown
Puptown is located within uptown Chicago’s Margate Park and is maintained by the volunteer-run Puptown Dog Owners Group. Puptown is 0.38 acres large and has an asphalt/gravel surface. The park has water bowls and toys for pups to play with, and there is ample parking.
Owners are responsible for their dogs while at Puptown and must remain within the fenced area for the duration of their visit. The gate is to remain closed except for when you are exiting or entering the park. Please clean up after your dog (poop bags are provided) and ensure that your dog is healthy and vaccinated before visiting the park.
4. Lakeshore East Dog Park
Lakeshore East Dog Park is located within Lakeshore East Park (on the southern side) and is open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. This park is mostly covered in soft green turf and concrete sidewalks. The park is only around 0.1 acres in size, but contains lots of space to run around and some nice trees to create shade.
Lakeshore East Dog Park has a drinking fountain for the dogs, lots of benches to sit on while your dog plays, and a new double gate entrance for extra safety. Please ensure that your dog is supervised and that you clean up their waste.
5. Jackson Bark
Jackson Bark is the ultimate spot for adventurous pups to play. The park is open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm (the park is well lit, with large floodlights turning on at dusk) and welcomes all dogs, provided that they have a permit, tag, and are current on all vaccines. The park has separate areas for small and large dogs.
Jackson Bark is a large cement area with lots of fun activities and structures for your dog to play on. There are huge tunnels to hide in, roofs to climb, toys to play with, and of course other dogs to chase. There are wading pools and lots of places for your dog to get a drink, and even misters for the owners to cool off under.
6. Horner Park Dog Park
Horner Park Dog Park is a 0.75-acre park located in the southwestern corner of Horner Park. The park is fully enclosed and is currently undergoing renovations. Once finished (in around six weeks), Horner Park Dog Park will boast a brick-paved entrance, drinking water fountains for both dogs and people, a water play area, benches, and a separate fenced area for smaller dogs.
You can bring your own dog toys to the park, but please take them with you upon leaving. All dogs are welcome in the park, but if your dog has a known history of aggressive behavior they may not enter. Puppies under four months are not allowed to visit the park.
7. Fred Anderson Dog Park
Fred Anderson Dog Park is open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, seven days a week. Located inside Fred Anderson Park, this dog park has two fully enclosed areas dedicated for dogs – one for smaller dogs and one for big dogs. The dog park has artificial turf, water fountains for playing under, tunnels to play in, lots of shaded areas, and drinking fountains for dogs. There are also benches and picnic tables in the park.
Overall, both fenced areas are over 20,000 sq. ft. in size and also has large water pools for the dogs to play in. Please supervise your dog at all times and clean up their waste – bags and trash cans are provided.
8. Logan Square Dog Park
Logan Square Dog Park is a large, fully fenced dog park on Western Avenue, Chicago. There is a double gate for added security, lots of toys for your dog to play with, and balls for fetching. There is a separate fenced area for smaller dogs that may not be safe in the larger park.
Logan Square Dog Park has water fountains, trash cans, and even a few small swimming pools for your pup to splash around in during the summertime. Ensure your dog is vaccinated, healthy, and supervised during their visit to the park.
9. Walsh Park Dog Friendly Area
Walsh Park Dog Friendly Area is located within Walsh Park, and is open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm daily. Walsh Park Dog Friendly Area is located in the Chicago neighborhood of West Town and covers an area of around 0.1 acres.
Walsh Park Dog Friendly Area has a drinking fountain for dogs and is split into an area for large dogs and a separate space for smaller pups under 25 pounds. There is also usually a swimming pool and a hose that you can fill it up with during the summer months.
“Emily is an avid writer and dog lover who usually prefers the company of pets over people. Based in Los Angeles, when not stuck in traffic she spends her days reading in the sunshine, relaxing at the beach, or planning her next adventure.”
