Dog parks in Toronto

 Clarke Beach Park

At the foot of Cherry Street View map »
Cherry Street is off of Lakeshore E. between Parliament St. and the DVP. Keep driving South on Cherry Street until you hit the lake - parking is on the right.

The Clarke Beach Park is at the bottom of Cherry Street by Lake Ontario which is just east of Parliament Street off of Lakeshore Blvd E.

The Cherry Street dog park is the only dog beach I know of in the GTA area which is pretty sad but let's focus on the bright side: this is a dog beach! The parking lot is super full in the summer weekends but it's OK because once you get to the water you will forget about the parking pain.

The dog park is to the right, you can't miss it. There are plastic bags by the fence on the right.

Be careful on the west side of the park, there is all kinds of concrete and sharp stuff by the water - don't let your dog there! Keep on the beachy area. Unlike the boardwalk by The Beaches, this isn't a tourist area and nobody cares about the somewhat nice view to the city skyline. The view is better from the islands anyways.

The designated dog park is by the little bay to the right but on hot days dogs take over the entire beach right of the lifeguard station. And next to the wet and happy puppies there are kids in the water splashing away and nobody seems to mind that there are 20 dogs in the same body of water right next to them. Everywhere else in the GTA all kinds of signs prohibit dogs from the water. Mind you, I am also concerned that the over polluted lake may make my pooch sick, but she's a tough cookie and she doesn't mind.

The beach isn't exacly covered with fine sand and the bottom of the lake is full of pebbles but don't let this stop you from taking your sandals off and go in the lake to play with your pup.

Tip: stay away from the popsicle/french fry vendor (trailer by the parking lot). It's grossly overpriced and my fries tasted like gummy bears:)

 Kew Beach Dog Park

2075 Queen St. E at Lee Ave. Toronto, ON View map »
Off Queen East between Waverly Rd. and Lee Ave. (just east of Woodbine). Between the fence and the lake just south of Kew Gardens at the foot of Lee Ave.

Why are there pieces of concrete blocks on the ground? To the City of Toronto: it is nice to have a stretch of the waterfront as a designated dog park but please remove objects that belong to a landfill. Thank you. My dogs love to swim and its hard to keep them away from the water but the waterfront is so rocky (and god knows what's under the water that's invisible from the shore) I didn't want to risk a broken leg in case they slip and fall on the stones.

Not much else to say about the park - its large and its sandy but its not the kind of soft sand that makes you want to take off your sandals - good thing is that the dogs don't care.

The park-goers are very friendly and after a nice run in the sand you can go for a walk on the boardwalk, which was full of dogs - on a leash of course.

(Please make an effort and do pick up ALL poop - this is a place where every poop counts - don't make parents, cyclists and anyone else trying to enjoy a nice walk angry by only picking up after your dog inside the dog park.)

Closest parking is on Lee Avenue but don't count on finding a spot always. Your best bet is to walk here (from home or from another - bigger - parking lot).

There are washrooms just outside the park. Bring plastic bags and drinking water (my dog got diarrhea from the lake water).

I know I will get responses from people saying that I'm too picky and why can't I appreciate more what there is...so sorry...I like the park at the foot of Cherry Rd. much much much better.

 Sunnybrook off leash park

Eglinton and Laird View map »
Keep going north on Laird past Eglinton until Laird Dr ends at Glenvale Blvd. Turn right onto Glenvale and immediately left onto Brentcliffe. (Basically the park is at the east end of Sunnybrook Hospital)

This is an official City of Toronto off leash dog park. No membership required.

There are no poop bags, parking is available. The park is fenced but there is no water inside the park, however it's really close to the West Don River but dogs are not allowed there so please remember to bring water from home.

There is some shade in the park. All dogs are in the same area (no small dog, large dog section) and there are a few benches.

 Toronto Brickworks/Evergreen Conservation area

550 Bayview Ave, Toronto ON View map »
West off Bayview Extension. Official offleash area is off the parking lot, behind a high chain-link fence.

Surrounded by trees, and shrubs including wild roses, it's right off the Moore Park Ravine trails so combine a walk on-leash and a few minutes of off-leash. (People do off-leash up the trails towards Moore Park Avenue trailhead as well, which I'm fine with as my dog loves to explore and it's a huge open ravine...but some dogs might be less adventurous or safe in the river / woods). Lots of water, and can be icy in the winter. I have seen poop-bags in the off-leash park.

A big THANK YOU to Natalie & Sahara for sending in the info about this park!

 Trinity Bellwoods Park

790 Queen Street West just east of Shaw Street View map »
Between Dundas and Queen, West of Bathurst, East of Shaw Street (closer to Shaw). The dog park is at the North West end.

The park was packed when I arrived. Parents with strollers, couples holding hands, children playing baseball and smaller ones by the playground so it was obvious that dogs need to be kept strictly off leash until you reach the designated pooch park which is at the far end in what seems like a giant crater. The steep hills are a good substitute for fencing but if your dog really wants to get away, he will.

Everybody was just standing in the middle of the park and there wasn't much going on probably because it was a very hot and humid day at the time of my visit. Mind you, the grass looks pretty sad and patchy and full of tall weeds - not exacly ideal for walking or running around (not for humans anyways).

This medium sized city park seems like the obvious choice for families who want to socialize their dogs and play some field soccer in the same park, maybe take a stroll on Queen West once everyone's too tired to run.

Parking is not free, I paid $3/hour which was a little too much to my standards. Then again, not many people come here by cars, folks mostly walk here from the neighbourhood.

 Withrow Park

708-730 Logan Ave View map »
Offleash area in middle of the park, just south of the hockey rink. South of Danforth, access between Carlaw and Logan

Popular with other dog-owners of the neighbourhood. Poop bags available. Must be able to control your dog, as they can easily take off outside of the dog-park (no fence) and across the big open field...towards the streets. Water for dogs is up the hill by the soccer field.

Sent in by Natalie & Sahara - Thank You!

Cedarvale Park

Just west of Bathurst and south of Eglinton View map »
One good entrance is at the west end of Markdale Ave which is the 5th street on the west side south of Eglinton.

Cedarvale Park is essentially the ravine under Bathurst Street halfway between St. Clair and Eglinton (pretty much parallel to the subway line). There are multiple entry points so check the map for the closest one to you. Limited, free, street parking is generally available on surrounding side streets.

Although not a designated leash free park there are lots of dogs here running around freely - and trust me, even fittest greyhound will get tired here because there are great big open spaces covered with nicely cut grass.

A not-so-steep hillside in the middle of the park is the best place for a quick workout: play fetch while you stand on the top and your dog has to get the ball from the bottom of the hill:) Just don't overdo it especially not when you don't have any water on you. A good way to find out when to stop playing is to race your dog to the ball every time and as soon as you start winning you know your dog is tired.

Supposedly a group of people try to make part of Cedarvale Park a designated dog park which - given the large open areas and location of the park - is perfectly resonable. If my vote counts anywhere at all, I'm in favour of fencing off (or not) part of the park and give it to the doggies.

The place is family friendly (I haven't seen any washrooms though...anybody knows if there are any?): there is a kids playground by the Markdale entrance and the the shady areas under the trees scattered around the green space are perfect for picnic.

Don Valley Trail

Along the Don River View map »
Off Beechwood Ave, which is north off O'Conner at Broadview Ave. Following the road down to hte start of the trails. Take the trails to the left, along the Don River. At the next trail junction, take a right across the rail-way tracks towards an open area which is great for off-leash. Trail map

Not an official off-leash park. It's not fenced, so use only if you have control over your dog, as there are trains that use that railway...so stay over in the far end. No poop bags.

Thanks Natalie & Sahara for the park info!