Dog parks in Mississauga

 Battleford Park

Battleford and Erin Mills
I couldn't find this park and I heard something about it being relocated somewhere else so if anyone knows what happened to the park please send the info to me so I can update or remove this listing. Thanks.

 Etobicoke Valley Off Leash Park

South end of Southcreek Rd., off Dundas View map »
South of Dundas on Southcreek Rd, just west of Hwy 27.

Sent by a visitor: "The creek is shallow and our dogs loved swimming there. Lots of wild life. The kids loved the big frogs and snake that we saw."

I've been to the park once (sorry, no pics) and it's not a bad place. It's not a typical dog park at all rather a mini-wilderness area with a trail, trees and shrubs. Plenty of space for dogs to run around off leash but it's not fully fences so make sure the "come" command works well with your pup.

 Garnetwood

 Jack Darling Park

1180 Lakeshore Road West View map »
Halfway between Southdown Road and Mississauga Road on the south side.

For more information about the park visit the Jack Darling Park website.

I've read it somewhere that the only thing missing from this park is an on-site Tim Hortons:) Couldn't agree more but let me add drinking/running water to the wish list.

Jack Darling Memorial Park's off leash area is one of the largest fully fenced designated dog parks in Ontario (I haven't see anything larger yet).

The park has 5 parking lots, 3 of which are right by the dog park so we are all spoiled when it comes to parking. Except in busy summer weekends/holidays when the park is packed with picnicers, parking can be really hard to find then, but around 350 days a year it's not a problem.

The park is huge and, considering its size, well maintained. There are always plastic bags available by the two main entrances. (there are four entrances to the dog park by the way). The north end is the busiest area, that's where people tend to hang around and chat by the gate. There is a hill just south of there which is converted into a toboggan hill in the winter. The park is open all year from 7am to 9pm and there are some restictions in the summer when dogs must be leashed in the daytime (10am and 6pm I believe) on weekends and holidays even inside the park. Yeah, whatever.

On the south end there is a sandy area and on the outside of the fence by the tennis courts there is a large field which is pretty much the picnic area for dog owners. Picnicers who stay by the designated picninc spots with barbeques and nice benches don't come here which is perfect because I much prefer sitting on the grass in a quiet spot not having to listen to whatever's playing in people's boomboxes.

Membership (non-mandatory but please consider buying one) is $10/year for one pooch or $15/year for more than one pooch. The membership is valid for all other Mississauga dog parks, too.

ps: City bylaws don't allow dogs to be on the nearby beach, a law probably made by some dog hating goverment employee who, after passing the law, forgot to add a few designated dog beaches. I'm sure there are a few spots here and there where our dogs won't get sick from the contaminated water and believe it or not we don't want a 5 mile wide section with sand imported from Egypt and water tested every 2 hours. But there is not even a shitty spot. So screw you people in the lawmaking offices.

 Quenippenon Park

On Erin Mills Pkwy (west side) between Eglinton Ave and Thomas St. View map »
The park is just north of the Erin Mills Town Centre. Only southbound lanes can access the park so you want to be comin from the north - drive down Erin Mills, the park is on your right just past Banfield Rd. Make sure signal ahead of time because cars won't expect you to turn here otherwise.

Relocated from the park just north of the Erin Mills City Center a few years ago.

I used to spend a lot of time in this park when I lived in Mississauga. The parking lot is in great condition – and so is the park. There are plastic bags all the time, benches, shade and a bulleting board.

When I was there last time a few volunteers were fixing the gates and fences and serving cheap Tim Hortons coffee. These folks do a great job maintaining the place – thanks! The park is separated into two areas, one for smaller dogs and one for bigger ones but this is just my theory because I see big and small dogs in both areas all the time playing in peace. I only had one incident when a boxer harassed my timid golden and the owner of the boxer was a jerk about it. But this can happen anywhere, it’s nothing to do with Quinnepion park really. I am just trying get the message across to dog owners that sometimes dogs need to be disciplined – even your own dog. I read it on a dog-daycare website once that people tend to be more protective and aggressive when their dog is disciplined by others than when it happens to their children. Maybe it’s time for obedience training?

In the fall the ground can get a bit muddy so many people end up walking their dogs outside the fence – there is a large green area north of the park but only let your dog off leash here if he/she is not a runner because Erin Mills Pkwy is near.

Membership cots $10/year for one dog or $15 for 2+ dogs and it is valid for all other leash free parks in Mississauga.

There is a nice, shady area at the back of the park. The only thing missing is access to water. Open all day, every day.

 Totoredaca

Meadowvale Bldv. between Meadowpine Blvd and Hwy 407 View map »
Turn onto Meadowpine Blvd from Winston Churchill - it's just north of the 401 onramp then turn left onto Meadowvale Blvd at the lights. The park will be on your right. Or if you are coming from Erin Mills turn on to Meadowvale (just north of Derry Rd) and keep driving until you see the park on your right just past Meadowpine Blvd. Don't mix up Meadowvale and Meadowpine!

One sentence says it all about this park: If I had a dog park it would look exactly like Totoredaca Park.

The park is on the North edge of Mississauga sorrounded by lots of open space. The parking lot is big enough for everyone although it gets full on the weekends but there is plenty of street parking available. As you enter the park - the gates are in perfect condition - you can choose to go to the small dog area or to the main park. If there were no dogs here one could think the place is someone's well kept private back yard. There is a nice boardwalk at the front and some flowers and other tasteful decor. There is a recycling (blue) box next to a garbage bin - a rare sight in public parks.

There is a shady area on the left with big trees and a couple of benches. Benches, by the way, are all over the park, some made out of giant logs which looks really neat. You can train your dog in the enclosed, medium sized agility training area or (what I like the most about this park) you can give your dog a bath - running water and hoses are provided as well as two large plastic tubs (summer only) where the dogs can play and cool down. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but no other dog park in Mississauga has water.

A portable washroom is available in the parking lot, and I even saw a "medical center" - it was closed at the time of my visit, but then again, I didn't go during dog park rush horus. Membership forms are available from a box by the bulletin board. $10/year for one dog or $15/year for two or more dogs. Well worth it! Membership is also valid at other Mississaga dog parks.

They park has a website too at www.totoredaca.org. Put you pooch in the car and go to the Totoredaca Park right now! Congratulations to the park keepers!

Sawmill Creek Trail

Tom Chater Park

North side of The Collegeway between Winston Churchill Blvd and Ridgeway Dr. View map »
The park is exactly halfway between Winston Churchill Blvd and Ridgeway Drive on the North side. Can't miss it.

I read somewhere that there is a small dog run in this park but couldn’t find it. But that’s ok because the park is big enough so you can let well behaved dogs off the leash. There are 3 baseball diamonds and a full size soccer field and lots of “empty” open space.

The parking lot is big and in good condition, parking is free and there are no membership fees either as this is a city park. There are no bags so make sure you bring your own and pick up after your dog – show all non-dog-owners that we care and they shouldn’t automatically associate a dog in a park with poop left behind.

There are washrooms just by the parking lot and benches here and there as well as a playground for kids – if your dog is unsure or aggressive around kids don’t go near the playground. Let the kids play in peace and don’t make the parent worry either. Of course, if your dog is friendly with kids, the playground can turn into a petting zoo in no time!

The park is clean and well maintained, the grass is in perfect condition. (the place may as well be called dandelion park because one area is completely covered with these tiny yellow flowers.) Closes at 10pm.