Doggies Welcome
Larrabee Dog Park in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

Larrabee Dog Park at Ward Park, Chicago: River North Dog Area

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.

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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.

River Park Dog Park in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

River Park Dog Park, Chicago: Small Run Where the River Forks

River Park dog park is a small off-leash run, about a tenth of an acre, just southeast of the fieldhouse in River Park at 5100 N. Francisco Ave., on Chicago’s North Side. It is best for a quick play session with a dog drinking fountain on hand, and the real draw is the park around it, which sits where the North Branch of the Chicago River and the North Shore Channel split.

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The River Park dog park itself

The Chicago Park District calls this spot the River Dog Friendly Area and describes it in one line: “.10 acres, located southeast of fieldhouse,” with a doggie drinking fountain. That is small. It works well for a few dogs at a time or for a dog that likes a quieter, closer space, but it is not the place for long sprints or big group play. If your dog needs more room, the much larger Horner Park dog park is downriver in Irving Park.

The Park District lists no separate small-dog section here, and it does not describe the surface or fencing. Every dog needs a Park District dog-area tag; our Chicago city guide explains how to get one.

A riverside park worth the leashed walk

River Park covers 28.8 acres at the point where, in the Park District’s words, “the Chicago River and canal converge.” The park district highlights its “rich wildlife habitat, excellent fishing, and a canoe launch,” and there is a natural area as well as the usual fields and courts. Block Club Chicago describes the park as straddling the Albany Park and Lincoln Square neighborhoods.

That setting makes River Park a good place to pair a short off-leash session with a longer leashed walk. The Park District’s history notes that work on a boat launch and river walk began in fall 1999 along the south side of the North Branch.

The boathouse and launches

The River Park boathouse opened in 2014, joining Park District boathouses at Ping Tom, Clark Park and Park No. 571. It now runs as RiverLab, on the west side of the river, which the Park District says offers canoeing, fishing and river education. The Park District lists two boat launches, one above the dam and one below it, and says the accessible launch for human-powered craft is free for public use. Block Club Chicago reported in October 2023 that the boathouse was due for upgrades to expand its education and storage space, paid for by the Lawrence/Kedzie TIF district, with work due to finish by the end of 2024; we could not confirm it was completed.

A century-old park

River Park is the largest of six parks created by the River Park District, which Northwest Side residents set up in 1917 along the North Branch and the North Shore Channel. It was one of 22 independent park commissions merged into the Chicago Park District in 1934.

The site opened on July 4, 1920, when the district dedicated a new flagpole to neighborhood children. Landscape work in 1927, based on a 1926 plan, added lawns, playgrounds, athletic fields, paths for walking, cycling and horseback riding, and a footbridge over the North Branch dam and waterfall. Architect Clarence Hatzfeld’s brick fieldhouse went up in 1929 with a 300-seat assembly hall. The pool followed in 1948, and the park grew in 1962 when the Park District leased more land from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Other things at River Park

  • Seven tennis courts, two baseball fields and an artificial-turf soccer field
  • A running track and a sand volleyball court
  • A swimming pool and a water spray feature
  • Two playgrounds (east and west)
  • A fieldhouse with a gym and an auditorium

Quick facts

  • Address: 5100 N. Francisco Ave., Chicago, IL 60625
  • Where in the park: southeast of the fieldhouse
  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (park hours)
  • Size: 0.10 acres
  • Water: doggie drinking fountain
  • Cost: free to enter; CPD Dog Friendly Area tag required

More dog parks on the North Side

For a big run with a separate area for small dogs, head to the Horner Park dog park. Toward the lake, the Challenger Park dog park is by the Red Line in Uptown and Puptown is in Margate Park in Uptown. For the full list, see all Chicago dog parks.

River Park dog park FAQ

How big is River Park dog park?

The Park District lists it at 0.10 acres, about a tenth of an acre, so it is one of the smaller runs in the city.

Where is the dog park in River Park?

Southeast of the fieldhouse. The park address is 5100 N. Francisco Ave.

Is there water at River Park dog park?

Yes. The Park District lists a doggie drinking fountain.

What are River Park dog park hours?

It keeps River Park’s hours, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Does River Park dog park have a small-dog area?

The Park District lists no separate small-dog section, so dogs of all sizes share the one run.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: River Dog Friendly Area, Chicago Park District: River Park, Chicago Park District: Dog Friendly Areas, Block Club Chicago (Oct 10, 2023). Park details change, so check before you go.

Logan Square Dog Park in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

Logan Square Dog Park, Chicago: Two-Sided Run by the Kennedy

Logan Square Dog Park is the Chicago Park District dog area in Park No. 556, 2529 W. Logan Blvd., just west of the Kennedy Expressway and south of Logan Boulevard. It opened in 2015 at about 8,000 square feet, which DNAinfo called bigger than most city dog parks, with separate sides for large and small dogs, so it suits mixed-size households.

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Finding the entrance

Some online listings put the dog park on Western Avenue, but the Park District’s address is 2529 W. Logan Blvd. AnySquared Arts, the group behind the dog park’s mural, gives the entrance as the Logan Boulevard side road at Artesian Avenue, between Western and Artesian. The park is open 6am to 11pm daily.

Park No. 556 is a 0.62-acre park in the Logan Square community area. The city transferred the land to the Park District in 2009, and it was first developed as a passive park. The district bought more land in 2013, and the dog park followed. The Park District still lists it as Park No. 556 but calls the dog area Logan Square Dog Park.

Inside the Logan Square dog park

When it opened in August 2015, DNAinfo described the layout this way:

  • Two sections: one area for large dogs and one for small dogs.
  • Surface: asphalt with a light-reflecting coating meant to keep the ground cool in summer.
  • Water: a dog-height water fountain.
  • Size: about 8,000 square feet, which DNAinfo said in 2014 was larger than most city dog parks.

Plans reported in 2014 also listed permanent fencing, benches, a two-gated entry, gravel pits and a drainage system. Those were plans at the time, so check what’s there when you arrive. We found no newer official description of the surface or fixtures.

A Park District dog-area tag is needed for each dog, and the Chicago city guide sets out how to get one.

How neighbors got it built

This dog park exists because residents kept pushing. The Logan Square Dog Park Committee worked on it for years; its 2015 president, Kim Pool, told DNAinfo she joined in 2012 and that “some folks had been trying to get a dog park for years before that.” The site had been an abandoned car lot.

The committee first aimed to raise $75,000, expecting Park District matching funds. It then learned the job would cost about $446,000 with no match available. In the end the committee raised roughly $36,000 and the city’s open space impact fee made funds available; DNAinfo said the committee’s money would go toward maintaining the park. It put the final cost at $445,000 and reported a grand opening party planned for 30 August 2015.

The dog mural

The park’s most distinctive feature is its art. In May and June 2016, AnySquared Arts and the Artistic Bombing Crew, working with Renegades of Funk and Chicago Mural Works, led a community mural project at the dog park with “Colossal Dogs” as its theme. Artists including DTEL, FLASH ABC and Tracy Kostenbader took part, and neighbors of all ages helped paint. AnySquared says its crew touched up the mural and added to it in summer 2023.

Getting there

The CTA #49 Western bus runs along Western Avenue, a block from the Artesian entrance.

Quick facts

  • Address: 2529 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago, IL 60647 (entrance on the Logan Blvd. side road at Artesian)
  • Hours: 6am–11pm daily
  • Size: about 8,000 sq ft, in a 0.62-acre park
  • Layout: separate large-dog and small-dog areas
  • Water: dog fountain
  • Permit: Park District dog-area tag required

Other dog parks nearby

East along the 606 trail are three smaller options: Churchill Park dog park at Damen, Walsh Park dog park at Ashland, which reopened in 2015 with separate small- and large-dog pens, and, south of the trail, the rebuilt Wicker Park dog park. Further west, near Diversey and Pulaski, is Kosciuszko Park dog park. See all Chicago dog parks for the full list.

FAQ

Where is the entrance to Logan Square Dog Park?

On the Logan Boulevard side road at Artesian Avenue, between Western and Artesian. The Park District address is 2529 W. Logan Blvd.

Is there a small-dog area?

Yes. It opened in 2015 with separate areas for large and small dogs.

Do I need a permit to use it?

Yes. Each dog needs a Park District dog-area permit tag; the city guide explains the process.

What are the hours?

The Park District lists Park No. 556 as open 6am to 11pm daily.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: Park No. 556, Chicago Park District: Park No. 556 Dog Friendly Area, DNAinfo (15 May 2014, 21 Aug 2015), AnySquared Arts (Logan Square Dog Park projects, 2023 touch-up), CTA #49 Western. Park details change, so check before you go.

Norwood Park Dog Park in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

Norwood Park Dog Park, Chicago: Small Off-Leash Area on Avondale

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.

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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

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.

Mckinley Dog Park in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

McKinley Dog Park, Chicago: Small-Dog Area in a Park Opened in 1902

McKinley Dog Park is the Chicago Park District’s off-leash Dog Friendly Area inside McKinley Park, at 2230 W. Pershing Road on the city’s Southwest Side. It covers about 12,000 square feet, has a separate area for small dogs, and is looked after by a neighborhood volunteer council, which makes it a solid choice for a regular run.

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What the McKinley dog park is like

The dog area sits in the southwest corner of McKinley Park, next to the outdoor pool decks and southwest of the fieldhouse, according to McKinley Park News (8 January 2019). The same report put its size at about 12,000 square feet, with separate sections for large and small dogs, a dog drinking fountain, several ground surfaces, and new trees and benches.

The McKinley Dog Park Advisory Council, the volunteer group that campaigned for the space, lists these features:

  • about 12,000 square feet of fenced, off-leash space
  • a small-dog area
  • two water fountains for people and pets
  • free pick-up bags, paid for through the council’s fundraising

When the park had its soft opening in early 2020, McKinley Park News reported that the asphalt surface still needed to be color-coated once the weather warmed, and that the water would be switched on in the warmer months. We could not confirm whether the coating was done, so check how hot the asphalt is on a summer day before your dog runs on it.

Quick facts

  • Address: 2230 W. Pershing Road, Chicago, IL 60609 (Chicago Park District)
  • Hours: 6am to 11pm daily (the park’s posted hours)
  • Size: about 12,000 sq ft
  • Small-dog area: yes
  • Water: two people-and-pet fountains, seasonal
  • Cost: free, but a Park District dog permit is needed

Like every Park District dog area, it needs a current permit and tag on your dog; our Chicago city guide explains how to get one.

How the dog park came about

Neighbors started working on the project in 2014, according to the advisory council. In January 2019 McKinley Park News reported that the City Council had approved $400,000 of Tax Increment Financing from the Archer/Western TIF district to build it, with the council raising further money through its own events. Construction was planned for 2019, and the council says the park opened in January 2020.

The council is an officially recognized Park Advisory Council, with the Chicago Parks Foundation as its fiscal sponsor. In July 2020 it launched a donation drive to cover maintenance, cleaning supplies, programming and events, noting that just a few small monthly gifts would keep the bag dispensers stocked. If you use the park often, that is a practical way to help keep it running.

About McKinley Park

The dog area is a small part of a 71.75-acre park with a long history. The South Park Commission named the park in October 1901, a month after President William McKinley was assassinated, and it opened in 1902 on the site of the former Brighton Park Race Track. The Chicago Park District says more than 10,000 people came to the dedication on 13 June 1902, and that its success led to a whole system of South Side neighborhood parks that influenced park design across the United States.

The park is bounded by Archer Avenue and 37th Street on the north, Pershing Road on the south, Damen Avenue on the east and Western Boulevard on the west. A statue of McKinley by sculptor Charles Mulligan, unveiled on 4 July 1905, stands in the northwest corner at Archer and Western. There is also a large lagoon beside a natural area of native prairie, savanna and aquatic plants, and a fieldhouse built in 1916 by D.H. Burnham & Company.

Other facilities listed by the Park District include an outdoor pool, water playground, ice rink, fishing area, community garden, picnic grove, paths and trails, and sports fields and courts.

Walking your dog in the rest of the park

Your dog can walk the paths around the lagoon with you on a leash; off-leash play is only for the fenced dog area.

Getting there

The dog area is at the park’s Pershing Road and Western Boulevard corner. CTA bus route 49 Western runs along Western Avenue, beside the park’s west edge.

Nearby dog spots

McKinley dog park FAQ

Where exactly is McKinley Dog Park?

It is in the southwest corner of McKinley Park, near Pershing Road and Western Boulevard, next to the outdoor pool. The Park District’s address is 2230 W. Pershing Road, Chicago, IL 60609.

Does McKinley Dog Park have a small-dog area?

Yes. Both the advisory council and McKinley Park News describe separate areas for small and large dogs.

What are the hours?

The Park District lists McKinley Park as open from 6am to 11pm daily. At the 2020 soft opening, McKinley Park News reported expected hours of 6am to 9pm, so check any signs at the gate.

Is there water for dogs?

Yes, there are two fountains for people and pets. They are switched on in the warmer months.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: McKinley Dog Friendly Area, Chicago Park District: McKinley (William) Park, McKinley Dog Park Advisory Council, McKinley Park News (8 Jan 2019), McKinley Park News (5 Feb 2020), McKinley Park News (7 Jul 2020), Wikipedia: McKinley Park, CTA route 49. Park details change, so check before you go.

Hamlin Park Dog Park in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

Hamlin Park Dog Park, Chicago: The 2026 Rebuild and What to Know

Hamlin Park dog park is a 0.16-acre off-leash area at the northeast corner of Wellington and Hoyne avenues, inside Hamlin Park in Chicago’s Roscoe Village. It has water on site, but the Park District rebuilt it in summer 2026, and in August several owners told local news their dogs had cut their paws on the new surface, so read the section below before you go.

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The 2026 rebuild at Hamlin Park dog park

Before the rebuild, the Hamlin run had an all-gravel surface. In summer 2026 the Chicago Park District replaced that pea gravel with asphalt walkways and separate gravel zones. The Park District told ABC7 Chicago the design kept pea gravel in the dog activity areas to give a “stable, lower-maintenance surface” with better drainage, and told CBS Chicago that the asphalt and pea gravel combination “is standard use for dog parks across the Chicago area.”

Regular users did not agree. In reports published on August 3 and 4, 2026, Block Club Chicago, FOX 32, ABC7 and CBS Chicago all described owners whose dogs came home with torn or bleeding paw pads. The problem they described is loose gravel escaping its cutouts onto the asphalt. One owner told CBS Chicago that when a dog runs and stops or turns on a piece of gravel, “there is nowhere for that gravel to go and it cuts its paw.” Others raised the dark asphalt getting hot in summer, and FOX 32 also reported complaints about rusty benches that rattle and a worry that a dog could jump from a bench over the new fence.

The Hamlin Park Advisory Council put out brooms so visitors could sweep gravel back into place, and it organized volunteer cleanups. It also told FOX 32, “We do not design, construct, operate, or maintain the dog park.” The Park District said it was “aware of patron concerns” and would meet the Dog Friendly Area Committee to decide next steps. We could not find a published update on design changes as of late September 2026.

If you go now

  • Look at the asphalt when you arrive. If gravel is scattered across it, use the broom or pick a quieter moment.
  • Owners quoted in the coverage said the damage happens when dogs stop or turn hard, so keep fetch sessions short until the surface is clear.
  • Check your dog’s pads before you leave. A vet quoted by CBS Chicago noted that dogs may keep playing through pain, so a cut can go unnoticed.

What else to expect

The Park District lists the area at 0.16 acres and notes a water supply. Like other Park District dog areas, it is meant for dogs wearing a current Dog Friendly Area tag; the Chicago city guide has the details.

About Hamlin Park

The dog area sits in the corner of a busy 9-acre neighborhood park. The Park District places Hamlin Park in the North Center community area, two blocks south of Belmont Avenue, with Damen Avenue as its eastern border. Local news reports call the area Roscoe Village.

The Lincoln Park Commission set up the park in 1909 after neighbors asked for one. That commission named many of its neighborhood parks after members of Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet, and this one honors his first vice president, Hannibal Hamlin. Prairie School architect Dwight H. Perkins designed the fieldhouse.

Today the fieldhouse has two gyms, a fitness center and a boxing gym. Outside there is a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, a picnic area and baseball diamonds, including Legends Field.

Getting there

Head for the corner of Wellington Avenue and Hoyne Avenue; the dog area is on the northeast corner. The park’s official address is 3035 N. Hoyne Ave., Chicago, IL 60618. CTA’s #50 Damen bus runs along Damen Avenue, the park’s eastern edge.

Quick facts

  • Address: 3035 N. Hoyne Ave., Chicago, IL 60618; dog area at the northeast corner of Wellington and Hoyne
  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (park hours)
  • Size: 0.16 acres
  • Surface: asphalt walkways with gravel zones (since the 2026 rebuild)
  • Water: water supply on site
  • Cost: free to enter; CPD Dog Friendly Area tag required

Other dog parks nearby

If you’d rather skip the gravel for now, the Horner Park dog park in Irving Park is far bigger and has its own small-dog area. To the south, Bucktown has the Churchill Park dog park and the Walsh Park dog park, and the Wiggly Field dog park is in Lincoln Park.

Hamlin Park dog park FAQ

Is Hamlin Park dog park safe for dogs right now?

After the 2026 rebuild, several owners reported paw cuts from loose gravel on the new asphalt. The Park District said it would meet the dog area committee on next steps. Check the surface before letting your dog run, and inspect its paws after.

What surface does Hamlin Park dog park have?

Since summer 2026, asphalt walkways with separate pea gravel zones. Before that it was all pea gravel.

How big is Hamlin Park dog park?

The Park District lists it at 0.16 acres, at the northeast corner of Wellington and Hoyne.

What are the Hamlin Park dog park hours?

It follows Hamlin Park’s hours, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: Hamlin Dog Friendly Area, Chicago Park District: Hamlin (Hannibal) Park, Block Club Chicago (Aug 3, 2026), FOX 32 Chicago (Aug 3, 2026), ABC7 Chicago (Aug 4, 2026), CBS Chicago (Aug 4, 2026), CTA #50 Damen. Park details change, so check before you go.

Challenger Park Dog Park in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

Challenger Park Dog Park, Chicago: Small Uptown Run by the Red Line

Challenger Park dog park is a small Chicago Park District dog area at 1100 W. Irving Park Rd. in Uptown, squeezed between the elevated Red Line tracks and the wall of Graceland Cemetery. At 0.08 acres it suits a quick off-leash break for neighborhood dogs rather than a long run, and the Sheridan Red Line station is just south of Irving Park Road.

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What the Challenger Park dog park is like

The Park District lists the dog area as 0.08 acres, “located east of elevated tracks and playground,” with a doggie drinking fountain. That makes it one of the smaller dog areas in the city, so expect a compact pen rather than room for full sprints.

Locals know it as “Challenger Bark,” according to the Buena Circle & Challenger Parks Advisory Council. Buena Park Neighbors, the local neighborhood group, describes it as a small park with some shade, a doggie drinking fountain and a seasonal doggy pool.

The dog area has moved once. The advisory council’s timeline says it was created in 2002–2003, and that in 2009 its boundaries “shifted towards cemetery wall and further away from the CTA track.” If you visited years ago and remember it right against the tracks, that is why it feels different now.

Like every Chicago Park District dog area, it needs a DFA permit tag for each dog; our Chicago city guide explains how to get one.

A long, thin park named for the shuttle crew

Challenger Park is a 3.86-acre strip in the Uptown community area. The advisory council says it runs from Irving Park Road north toward Montrose, on the opposite side of the ‘L’ tracks from Buena Circle Park. To the east, the park abuts Graceland Cemetery.

The park dates to a public-private partnership started in 1990. The Park District says the 1991 project “transformed the half-mile stretch of land into a linear park with native trees, grasses, wildflowers, jogging and walking paths, new sewers, lighting, and a new alley.” It was named in memory of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of January 28, 1986.

That linear layout is the useful part for dog owners. Once your dog has had its off-leash time, the park’s paths give you a leashed walk away from the traffic on Irving Park Road. The advisory council describes a passive nature area with a worn path on the north side of the park, and says that path was restored in 2025 during a volunteer “Chip in for Challenger” event.

Getting there and parking

  • ‘L’: the CTA Sheridan station (Red Line) is at 3940 N. Sheridan Rd., just south of Irving Park Road, the park’s southern end.
  • Bus: the Sheridan station lists connections to the #X9, #80 Irving Park and #151 buses.
  • Car: the park has a parking lot on its southern edge. The advisory council notes that the lot is leased to the Cubs for Wrigley Field events, so expect it to be busy or unavailable on Wrigley event days. The Park District also lists commuter parking for rent at the park.

If you plan to bring your dog on the train, check the CTA pet rules in our city guide first.

Good to know before you go

  • Size: at 0.08 acres, it can feel crowded with more than a handful of dogs.
  • Noise: trains run right beside the park. Dogs that startle at loud noise may need time to settle.
  • Hours: the park is open 6am to 11pm daily, per the Park District.

Quick facts

  • Address: 1100 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60613
  • Community area: Uptown
  • Dog area size: 0.08 acres (park 3.86 acres)
  • Hours: 6am–11pm daily
  • Water: doggie drinking fountain
  • Cost: free, with a Park District DFA tag

Other dog spots nearby

Head east to the lake and you reach two lakefront dog areas: Montrose Dog Beach, on the beach itself, and the small fenced Belmont Harbor dog beach to the south. A little further north in Uptown, Puptown Dog Park in Margate Park is another neighborhood option. For the full list, see all Chicago dog parks.

Challenger Park dog park FAQ

Where is the Challenger Park dog park?

It is at 1100 W. Irving Park Rd. in Uptown, east of the elevated Red Line tracks and the park’s playground. The dog area sits along the Graceland Cemetery side of the park.

How big is the Challenger Park dog park?

The Park District lists it at 0.08 acres, which is small. It works best for short visits and dogs that play well in close quarters.

Is there water for dogs at Challenger Park?

Yes. The Park District lists a doggie drinking fountain, and Buena Park Neighbors mentions a seasonal doggy pool.

Can I take the ‘L’ to Challenger Park dog park?

The Sheridan Red Line station at 3940 N. Sheridan Rd. is just south of Irving Park Road, the park’s southern end, so it is a short walk. The CTA has its own rules for pets, which our city guide covers.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: Challenger Dog Friendly Area, Chicago Park District: Challenger Park, Chicago Park District: Dog Friendly Areas, Buena Circle & Challenger Parks Advisory Council and its park history, Buena Park Neighbors, CTA: Sheridan station. Park details change, so check before you go.