While walks are nice, dog parents know that there is nothing more satisfying than watching Fido running around, unleashed, enjoying the great outdoors and tuckering themselves out so that they sleep well all night. Some breeds of dogs were made for this kind of freedom and need the ability to get their energy out in productive ways. On top of that, some dogs just LOVE socializing with fellow furry friends. Of course, because of city by-laws, you can’t just let your doggos run around the city leashless. This is where dog parks come into play. Dog parks give your furbaby the liberation to romp around joyously in a large, fenced in area with lots of new smells and places to explore. Your dog can be socialized with other doggos and maybe even make friends! London Dog park hours are from 6am to 10pm.
While there are multiple dog parks in London, any pet parent knows that only the best will do for your pupper. So here are the best dog parks that London has to offer its four legged friends.
Off-LeashDog Parks
Greenway Off-Leash Dog Park
Greenway Park, which is located off of Springbank Drive, just west of Wharncliffe, is a 2 hectare space for your dog to bound about in. It has large, shady trees, open spaces with lush green grass, and woodchips covering the more muddy areas. With safety in mind, there is a double gated entrance so that the Houdini’s of the canine world don’t escape and get loose while someone else is coming in or going out. On top of that, there is also a separate fenced in area for smaller dogs, so that you don’t have to worry about how fearsome your little Dachshund might be next to a St. Bernard. Adorable bone-shaped benches are there for both Fido to explore as well as you to sit and watch your furbaby explore.
For convenience, there are picnic tables, parking, a portable washroom, and garbages here as well. If you want to make a day of it and bring the family, there is a playground, soccer fields, and butterfly gardens nearby, so the whole family can have a day of fun in the sun.
Pottersburg-FIDO Off Leash Dog Park
This dog park is a great location for doggos that get distracted by passing cars, because it’s in a quieter location that is set off and away from the sounds of a busy road. This clean and spacious dog park has grassy areas, wood chipped areas, and plenty of vegetation around for them to sniff and smell. For safety and security there are double gated entrances to keep dogs from escaping, and there is a separate fenced area for the smaller dogs to run around together and the larger dogs to run around together.
If your dog is particularly fond of getting good and muddy, then come to this park after rain or during the thawing period of spring, and your dog will have the most fun; however, you might want to lay some towels down in your car for the ride home.
For convenience, there are shady trees, a portable washroom, parking, garbages, and washrooms. Because this beautiful park is close to the
Thames River, there is the Meadowlily trail that you can enjoy, and great fishing in the Thames there as well, so it’s a great place to spend the day with your furbaby.
You can access this great park from Hamilton Road at Gore Road.
Stoney Creek off Leash Dog Park
This park is located at 1343 Adelaide St. N. on the west side of Adelaide north of Windermere Rd. This beautiful three acre off leash dog park has plenty of space for canines to have their fun running around and exploring. It has lots of lush green grass and plenty of plants to smell. There are a lot of trees in this area, which means that your furbaby will likely be able to find a good stick or two to proudly carry around or bring to you to throw. There are some woodchipped areas and plenty of shade for lounging in. Of course there are double gated entrances to make sure that no escape artists get loose during people coming or going. There are separate fenced off spaces for large dogs and small dogs so that you don’t need to worry about size differences when the dogs play together.
For the humans, this park has a portable toilet and garbage receptacles. There are also cute dog-bone shaped benches for you to take a load off on. There is also very convenient parking here. There are trails and green space around the park too, so it’s a great place to explore with your dog before or after their leash-free time of fun.
Caesars Off Leash Dog Park
Located at 941 Commissioners Road East, this park is dedicated to Caesar, who was a police dog that was tragically shot in the line of duty, protecting his handler and fellow officers. Think of him, and other service dogs, fondly while your furry friend frolics in the park. Accessed from Commissioners Road, coming down east from Adelaide, this park has a large parking lot, a portable toilet, and garbage containers. Most of this area is covered with wood chips to avoid lots of muddiness, but there are also a few grassy areas here as well. There are plenty of trees for shade and to hopefully drop some sticks that your doggo will enjoy prancing around with in his mouth. As with the other parks, there are separated areas for large and small dogs so that you can have peace of mind while your little chihuahua can explore and play with puppers its own size.
The city of London does have rules for all of their off-leash dog parks that are there to keep everyone (dogs and humans alike) safe and having just a really good time. Make sure that if you’re bringing Rover to an off-leash dog park that they have had their rabies shots, their vaccinations are up to date, and that they have their license tags. Make sure that if your doggo leaves a poop present for you that you clean it up and put it in the garbage. Make sure that if your pupper is required by law to be leashed and wear a muzzle that they still have that in the park. While it’s fun to let your furry friend frolic while you catch up on social media, make sure that you’re keeping track of your canine and keep them under verbal control if need be. If you have a female dog that is in heat, if your dog is particularly aggressive or is sick, or if your puppy is under 4 months, then don’t use the off-leash dog parks. Don’t bring super young children, and make sure your older kids are well supervised during the entire visit.
Parks For Leashed Fun
While off-leash dog parks are great fun, London has other parks that are great for exploring and walking with your dog. These parks will give both you and your four-legged friend a good and healthy workout to get rid of pent up energy. Your dog will love the excitement of being somewhere out of the ordinary and will love all the new smells.
Kains Woods
Kains Woods is a beautiful trail that goes along the
Thames River. It has plenty of hills to hike along and has a couple of rocky “beach” areas where Rover can enjoy wading through the shallow water. There are plenty of little creatures to intrigue your pupper (but don’t let them harm the wildlife), and lots of different plants to smell. You’ll love how beautiful and peaceful it is there and your dog will love the adventure. The trail is 5 kms long. There are two points of access. One is off of Tigerlily Road and the other is off of Shore Road.
Springbank Park
If you have a sociable dog, then
Springbank Park is a great choice for you and Fido to spend a day in the sun together. Springbank park has over 35 kms of trails, and has pockets of busy spaces where your cute pooch can get all the pets and smell all of the dog butts that he/she can handle. Springbank Park has paved trails that run along the
Thames River, which provides picturesque views while you stroll around. There are also plenty of shady trees for lazing around under and lush grass for romping and playing. While there are multiple points of access throughout the trail, the main address for Springbank Park is 1085 Commissioners Rd West.
Westminster Ponds
This ESA (Environmentally Significant Area) is a great place to bring an adventurous dog. It has 10 kms of walking trails that have varied terrain, 5 ponds for canines who love water, plenty of wildlife and vegetation to smell and discover. There are over 200 different species of birds in the Westminster Ponds, which Fido will love hearing and seeing. You can find this park at 696 Wellington Rd. There are some areas that have boardwalks to walk around, some dirt paths, and some gravelled paths. Because this area is so damp, it’s best to bring some hiking shoes or footwear that you don’t mind getting muddy.
So go ahead and take man’s best friend out to run around and explore all of the different parks that London has to offer. If your dog has a favourite, let us know! You can click on any one of the social media links below and share what your favourite dog park is.