Larrabee dog park is the name many maps and listings use for the Ward Dog Friendly Area, a fenced off-leash space in A. Montgomery Ward Park in River North, with its own entrance on Larrabee Street just north of Erie Street. It is the off-leash option right by the river in River North, but note that dogs are not allowed in the rest of Ward Park.
Planning a trip with your dog? Get our free dog-friendly travel guide — tips and recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Get Your Free Dog-Friendly Travel Guide
Tips and recommendations for exploring with your dog – delivered to your inbox.
How the Larrabee dog park works
The River North Residents Association (RNRA), which supports the park, explains the setup clearly: “Dogs are not allowed in the main park area. There is a Dog Friendly Area (DFA) outside of the main park with a separate entrance located on Larrabee St. just north of Erie St.” It describes the dog area as “a fenced, off-leash area for supervised dog recreation.”
That split matters when you visit. The riverside promenade and the playground are in the main park, so your dog cannot join you there, even on a leash. Use the Larrabee Street gate and keep your visit inside the dog area.
The Park District’s own listing for the Ward Dog Friendly Area gives few details beyond its address and parent park. It does not list the size, surface or features, so we have left those out rather than guess. A DFA permit tag is needed for each dog; our Chicago city guide explains the permit.
Two addresses, one dog area
You will see different addresses for this spot. The Chicago Park District lists the Ward Dog Friendly Area at 630 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago, IL 60606, which is the address for the whole of Ward Park. The dog area entrance is on Larrabee Street, which is why many dog owners call it the Larrabee dog park. If you are using a map app, navigate to Larrabee and Erie and walk north to the gate.
Ward Park and the river
Ward Park is a 3.10-acre park along the North Branch of the Chicago River. The Park District says it acquired the southern two acres in 2000, and Centrum Properties donated another acre in 2003. Wolff Landscape Architects and Peter Walker and Partners designed it around the river, with “a river walk promenade complete with benches and shade trees” and views of the water and skyline.
Other features in the main park include a playground, a spray pool, a mosaic wall and Sheila Klein’s sculpture “Commemorative Ground Ring,” which is shaped like an engagement ring and includes a skyscraper and a three-part Chicago window. RNRA adds that the park has a river edge habitat and a water taxi stop, and hosts events such as the Taste of River North and a summer movie series.
The park was named in 2010 for Aaron Montgomery Ward, who founded the world’s first large mail-order house in 1872. The Park District notes his legal fights to protect open space on the lakefront made him known as the “Watchdog of the Lakefront.” Downtown dog owners can see the result at the Grant Park dog park.
Getting there
- ‘L’: the Chicago station on the Brown and Purple lines is at 300 W. Chicago Ave., roughly half a mile from the Larrabee gate.
- Bus: that station lists connections to the #37 Sedgwick and #66 Chicago buses.
- On foot: most visitors walk from nearby River North buildings. Check the CTA pet rules in the city guide before bringing a dog on transit.
Quick facts
- Park District address: 630 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago, IL 60606
- Dog area entrance: Larrabee St., just north of Erie St.
- Parent park: Ward (A. Montgomery) Park, 3.10 acres
- Hours: 6am–11pm daily
- Fencing: fenced, off-leash (per RNRA)
- Dogs in the main park: not allowed
- Cost: free, with a Park District DFA tag
Other dog areas near River North
Follow Larrabee Street north for about a mile and you reach the new Near North Park dog park at Park No. 598, which has separate large and small dog areas. Across the river in the New Eastside is the Lakeshore East dog park, and west of the river is the West Loop 569 dog park. See all Chicago dog parks for the rest.
Larrabee dog park FAQ
Where is the entrance to the Larrabee dog park?
The entrance is on Larrabee Street just north of Erie Street, separate from the main entrance to Ward Park, according to the River North Residents Association.
Can I walk my dog on the Ward Park riverwalk?
No. RNRA says dogs are not allowed in the main park area, which includes the river promenade. Dogs are only allowed in the dog friendly area.
Is the Larrabee dog park fenced?
Yes. RNRA describes it as a fenced, off-leash area for supervised dog play.
What are the Larrabee dog park hours?
Ward Park is open 6am to 11pm daily, per the Chicago Park District.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: Ward Dog Friendly Area, Chicago Park District: Ward (A. Montgomery) Park, Chicago Park District: Dog Friendly Areas, River North Residents Association: A. Montgomery Ward Park, CTA: Chicago (Brown/Purple) station. Park details change, so check before you go.