Did you know the Queen song “I Want To Break Free” is actually about a dog finally getting off his leash? Okay, no, it’s not–but you’ll definitely be singing it next time you let your pup roam around the dog park to his heart’s content! Whether you want your dog to socialize, exercise, or just roll around and sniff everything in sight, the opportunities for a perfectly nature-filled afternoon are endless at these awesome Chicago dog parks.
Jackson Bark
This award-winning park is dog-full of amenities for you and your pup to enjoy: drinking-water stations, bag stations, a shaded “pup lounge,” toys, ramps and other fun objects to climb on, and SO much more. This is a must-stop for some socialization and play!
Jackson Bark is a labor of ruv, all run by volunteer pup parents.
Puptown Dog Park
Located in Margate Park, Puptown Dog Park is a volunteer-maintained off-leash area. You’ve already got a view of the water near the Lakefront, but it also has a doggie drinking fountain to keep your pup hydrated!
This spacious park has room for long games of fetch and for any zoomies that need to be zoomed.
Wiggly Field
Located near Wrigley Field, this spot is one of the most famous and popular dog parks in the city. There’s a doggy drinking fountain, a small dog enclosure, and agility equipment on site! You can usually find street parking nearby.
Portage Park Dog-Friendly Area
This small pup-friendly area makes up for its size with great features, including ample shade, water bowls, dog toys, and even a kiddie pool for the furry ones! The dog park committee also loves to host fun events throughout the year to help you and your pooch make new fur-iends.
Lake Shore East Dog Park
Located along the southern edge of Lake Shore East Park, this beautiful little dog park features a doggie drinking fountain to keep your doggo in tip-pup shape while you socialize and play. All the hustle and bustle of the city can be a lot, even for the dog who is used to being a city-licker. This tucked away park is the perfect place to playbow your problems away.
Montrose Dog Beach
This large fenced-off dog area located at the north end of Montrose Beach is a great place to let your pooch frolic in the water or do the doggy paddle. There’s a paid dog-washing station onsite, and our sources tell us that dog food trucks make appearances on many weekends!
While the beach has fences, it may not be the most secure due to the tides and the height of the sand. If your dog is a bit too much of an explorer or doesn’t have the best recall, it may be a good idea to come during off hours or take a nice, leashed walk along the lakeshore instead.
Pottawattomie Park Dog-Friendly Area
Located right at the border of Rogers Park and Evanston, this spacious dog park is tucked in the back of the park next to the elevated CTA tracks. Overall quiet, the park has a separate area for the smol boys and even some agility equipment. With a mix of concrete and gravel, pup’ll be able to zoom with the best of ‘em.
Which of these Chicago dog parks is your pup’s favorite? Woof at us in the comments, post on our Dog-Friendly Chicago Facebook Group, and be sure to tag #SidewalkDog in those pupper playground pics.
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