The Norwood Park dog park is a small off-leash area on the Avondale Avenue side of Norwood Park, a 16-acre neighborhood park on Chicago’s Far Northwest Side. At 0.13 acres with a dog drinking fountain, it suits a local run or a stop on the way to the park’s other attractions rather than a long day out.
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.
Quick facts
- Address: 5899 N. Avondale, Chicago, IL 60631
- Where in the park: just north of the service yard on Avondale Ave.
- Size: 0.13 acres
- Water: doggie drinking fountain
- Hours: 6am–11pm daily (Norwood Park hours)
- Community area: Norwood Park
- Cost: free, but each dog needs a Chicago Park District dog-area permit and tag
What the Norwood Park dog park offers
The Chicago Park District (CPD) lists the dog friendly area at 0.13 acres, which is a modest pen by city standards. The one amenity CPD names is a doggie drinking fountain.
CPD does not publish the surface, fencing layout, shade or whether there is a separate section for small dogs, so we have left those out rather than guess. If your dog needs a quiet space away from bigger dogs, look at the area from the gate before going in.
Like every CPD dog area, this is an off-leash zone, and each dog needs a park district permit tag from a participating vet; the Chicago city guide explains how to get one.
The feel of the place
Google reviews read in September 2026 suggest the Norwood Park dog park is run by its regulars: reviewers describe friendly owners and well-behaved dogs, and one regular said most of the people and dogs know each other. Despite its modest listed size, several reviewers say there is plenty of room, and one found it quiet on a weekend morning.
Reviewers often mention lots of benches and a mix of sun and tree shade. For water, they describe bowls and the dog fountain, and one reported several kiddie pools filled in season. Reports on the ground differ: one visitor praised the gravel for keeping dogs from getting muddy, while another described open grass, so take a look when you arrive.
One owner of a small dog noted that the regulars skew toward big dogs and their dog struggled to keep up. If yours is small or timid, a quieter hour may suit it better.
Finding it: the Avondale side of the park
The park’s main address is 5801 N. Natoma Ave., but the dog area has its own address on Avondale. CPD places it “just north of service yard on Avondale Ave.” If you are using a map app, search for the Avondale address so you are not sent to the Natoma side of the park.
We could not confirm a CTA ‘L’ station or bus stop close enough to recommend, so plan on driving or walking in from the neighborhood.
About Norwood Park
Norwood Park covers 16.23 acres. CPD’s history says the Norwood Park District was established in 1920 and was one of 22 park commissions merged into the Chicago Park District in 1934. The fieldhouse, with a 500-seat assembly hall, was added in 1928.
The rest of the park is busy with sport. CPD lists baseball and soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, a gymnasium, a fitness center, a playground and a senior center. Its park page also singles out “the Chicago Park District’s only outdoor swimming pool on the North Side with a water slide.”
A leashed lap after the run
For a leashed walk after your dog has had a run, the park has a lit gravel running track. CPD describes it as a 0.22-mile oval around the baseball diamonds, with about 4.5 laps to a mile. Dogs must stay leashed everywhere outside the dog area.
Other dog areas on the Northwest and North Sides
- Portage Park Dog Park: another small CPD dog area inside a large historic park, on the Northwest Side.
- River Park Dog Park: a small dog area where the North Branch and North Shore Channel meet.
- Horner Park Dog Park: a larger option in Irving Park.
Browse all Chicago dog parks or read the Chicago city guide for the wider picture.
Norwood Park dog park FAQ
Where is the Norwood Park dog park?
It is at 5899 N. Avondale, Chicago, IL 60631, just north of the park’s service yard on Avondale Ave. The park’s main address, 5801 N. Natoma Ave., is on a different street.
How big is the Norwood Park dog park?
CPD lists it at 0.13 acres, so it is a small neighborhood dog area.
Is there water for dogs at Norwood Park?
Yes. CPD lists a doggie drinking fountain in the dog area.
What are the hours of the Norwood Park dog park?
Norwood Park is open 6am to 11pm daily, and the dog area follows the park hours.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: Norwood Dog Friendly Area, Chicago Park District: Norwood Park, Chicago Park District: Dog Friendly Areas. Park details change, so check before you go.