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

Near North Park Dog Park (Park No. 598), Chicago: New for 2026

Near North Park dog park is the dog friendly area inside Park No. 598, a new Chicago Park District park at 1500 N. Larrabee St. that opened in August 2026. It has separate large and small dog areas, artificial turf mounds, trees and pet-bowl drinking fountains.

Planning a trip with your dog? Get our free dog-friendly travel guide — tips and recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Inside the Near North Park dog park

The Park District describes the dog area as having “large and small dog areas, pet-bowl drinking fountains, artificial turf mounds, and trees.”

When the Park District announced construction in October 2024, it said the dog area would have “concrete and artificial turf surfaces with spaces for both small and large dogs” and a drinking fountain. The builder, BEAR Construction, described the same plan. The current Park District listing mentions only the turf mounds, so we can’t confirm how much of the finished area is concrete.

As with every Park District dog area, each dog needs a current DFA permit tag, which our Chicago city guide covers in full.

From school field to new park

The site has a long back story. According to the Park District, it was the outdoor recreation area of Near North High School. After Chicago Public Schools closed the school in 2001, the land went back to the Chicago Housing Authority, which transferred the 3.8-acre site to the Park District in May 2019. Block Club Chicago’s September 2024 report on the plans described it as the former home of Cooley High.

Dogs were here before the dog area was. In February 2023, a neighbor started a Change.org petition asking 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. to recognize “the Old Town dog park at 1514 N. Larrabee,” after police began warning owners who were letting dogs run off-leash on the open field. Off-leash play is only allowed in a designated dog area, so the new designated dog area settles that question.

The Park District board approved the project in September 2024, work began with a groundbreaking on October 18, 2024, and the Park District announced its ribbon cutting on August 31, 2026. The Park District’s August 2026 announcement lists $4.4 million in Tax Increment Financing and a $250,000 state DCEO grant among the funding.

The rest of Park No. 598

The whole park covers 4.01 acres near Stanton Park in the Near North community area. The Park District lists:

  • a 0.2-mile walking path, plus 0.42 miles of lit pathways with seat walls, benches and picnic tables
  • a 1.68-acre central lawn, an aspen grove, 95 shade trees and over 200 shrubs
  • a plaza with decorative pavers and a shade structure with accent lighting
  • a playground with separate spaces for ages 2–5 and 5–12
  • an adult fitness area with more than 20 workouts

The walking path and lit pathways give you a leashed loop before or after the dog area. The lawn is part of the main park, not the dog area, so dogs stay leashed there.

Getting to Park No. 598

The CTA Sedgwick station, on the Brown and Purple lines, is at 1536 N. Sedgwick St., about two blocks east of the park. The station lists connections to the #37 Sedgwick and #72 North buses. Check the CTA pet rules in the city guide before taking your dog on board.

Quick facts

  • Dog area address: 1500 N. Larrabee St., Chicago, IL 60610 (the park’s listing uses 1514 N. Larrabee)
  • Community area: Near North
  • Opened: August 2026
  • Hours: 6am–11pm daily
  • Small-dog area: yes
  • Surface: artificial turf mounds; the 2024 plans also listed concrete
  • Water: pet-bowl drinking fountains
  • Cost: free, with a Park District DFA tag

More dog parks close by

Larrabee Street links this park with another dog area: about a mile south, the Larrabee Dog Park at Ward Park sits beside the Chicago River in River North. Further north, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, is Wiggly Field, and west across the river in Bucktown is Walsh Park. Browse all Chicago dog parks for more.

Near North Park dog park FAQ

When did the Near North Park dog park open?

Park No. 598 opened in August 2026, according to the Chicago Park District. The dog area opened with the rest of the park.

Does the Near North Park dog park have a small-dog area?

Yes. The Park District lists separate large and small dog areas.

Is Park No. 598 the same as the old Old Town dog park on Larrabee?

It is the same site. Owners used the open field informally before, but that was not a designated dog area. The new park has an official dog friendly area.

Is there water for dogs?

Yes. The dog area has pet-bowl drinking fountains, per the Park District.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: Park No. 598, Park No. 598 Dog Friendly Area, Park District ribbon-cutting release (August 31, 2026), groundbreaking release (October 17, 2024), board approval release (September 11, 2024), BEAR Construction, Block Club Chicago (September 19, 2024), Change.org petition (February 2023), CTA: Sedgwick station. Park details change, so check before you go.

Bronzeville Dog Park 592 in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

Bronzeville Dog Park 592, Chicago: Vincennes Ave, Largest of Three

Bronzeville dog park 592 is the Chicago Park District’s dog area at 4149-53 S. Vincennes Ave., in the Grand Boulevard community area. At 0.38 acres, it is the largest and southernmost of Bronzeville’s three numbered dog parks. It has separate spaces for small and large dogs, and it is the pick of the three if your dog wants the most room to run.

Planning a trip with your dog? Get our free dog-friendly travel guide — tips and recommendations delivered to your inbox.

How Bronzeville dog park 592 compares

The three Bronzeville dog parks were built together and look alike on paper, so here is what separates them. The residents’ group BARC says they are about a mile apart.

  • Park No. 592 (this page): South Vincennes Avenue just north of 42nd Street, 0.38 acres. The biggest of the three and the farthest south.
  • Park No. 590: South Indiana Avenue, 0.32 acres, about a block from the Indiana Green Line station. It opened first, in September 2019.
  • Park No. 591: South Lake Park Avenue in Oakland, 0.31 acres, beside the 10-acre Mandrake Park.

Inside the Vincennes Avenue dog area

There is no bigger park around this one. The Park District describes the whole 0.38-acre lot as a Dog Friendly Area and lists no other facilities. It was city-owned land that the community chose for a dog park. The city transferred it to the Park District in 2018.

BARC says each of the three parks has separate spaces for small and large dogs. The 2018 plans promised the same fittings at all three sites, but only the Indiana Avenue park got an opening-day write-up. We could not confirm the finished surface or a working fountain here, so bring water in summer.

Quick facts

  • Address: 4149-53 S. Vincennes Ave., Chicago, IL 60653
  • Community area: Grand Boulevard
  • Size: 0.38 acres, the largest of the three Bronzeville dog parks
  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, as listed on its Park District page
  • Small-dog area: yes, per BARC
  • Park District phone: (312) 747-9938

Visitor impressions of Park No. 592

Google reviews read in September 2026 describe this as a clean, well-groomed dog park with a close-knit group of regulars. Reviewers often call the owners friendly, and one described the regulars as a family group who look out for each other. Several mention the separate sides for big and small dogs. One reviewer noted it is tucked into a residential block with easy parking and benches, and another found it uncrowded.

The gripes are about waste. One reviewer said people do not always pick up after their dogs, and another found the bag dispenser empty, so bring your own bags. One visitor described small patches of real and artificial grass; we have not confirmed the surface. Another mentioned a hose for rinsing the area and clean-looking dog water, but as we could not confirm a working fountain, bringing water in summer is still wise.

Its place in the Bronzeville trio

This was one of the first two sites to go into construction. In February 2019, Block Club Chicago reported that the Vincennes and Lake Park Avenue parks would be built first, with the Indiana Avenue park later that year. Then-4th Ward Ald. Sophia King said the work would take two to three months.

Things did not go quite to plan. When the Indiana Avenue park opened in September 2019, Block Club reported that the Vincennes site was still going through final checks. We did not find a source for its exact opening date.

Getting there

The Green Line’s 43rd station, at 314 E. 43rd St., is a couple of blocks to the south-west. CTA lists a connection there to the #43 bus. Dogs ride CTA only in carriers.

Permit

A Park District DFA tag is required here, as at the other two Bronzeville parks, and the Chicago city guide has the steps.

Other dog parks nearby

Browse all Chicago dog parks.

Frequently asked questions

What are the hours at Bronzeville dog park 592?

The Park District lists 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

Which is the biggest dog park in Bronzeville?

Park No. 592 on Vincennes Avenue, at 0.38 acres. The other two are 0.32 and 0.31 acres.

Is there a small-dog section at Park No. 592?

Yes. BARC says all three Bronzeville parks have separate spaces for small and large dogs.

Can I get to Bronzeville dog park 592 by ‘L’?

Yes. The Green Line’s 43rd station, at 314 E. 43rd St., is a couple of blocks to the south-west. Your dog will need to travel in a carrier.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District Park No. 592 and Park No. 592 Dog Friendly Area; City of Chicago, Three Dog Parks Approved for South Side Neighborhoods; BARC locations; Block Club Chicago, 5 February 2019 and 18 September 2019; CTA 43rd station. Park details change, so check before you go.

Bronzeville Dog Park 591 in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

Bronzeville Dog Park 591, Chicago: Lake Park Ave by Mandrake Park

Bronzeville dog park 591 is a 0.31-acre Chicago Park District dog area at 3902 S. Lake Park Ave., just east of Mandrake Park. Although it is one of the three Bronzeville dog parks, the Park District places it in the Oakland community area, not Grand Boulevard. It has separate spaces for small and large dogs, and a 10-acre park next door for a leashed walk before or after.

Planning a trip with your dog? Get our free dog-friendly travel guide — tips and recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Bronzeville dog park 591 vs. 590 and 592

The Bronzeville Association for Recreation with Canines (BARC), the residents’ group behind all three parks, says they are about a mile apart. This is the easternmost of the three and the only one with a large park beside it.

  • Park No. 591 (this page): Lake Park Avenue in Oakland, 0.31 acres, next to Mandrake Park. The smallest of the three, by a hair.
  • Park No. 590: Indiana Avenue in Grand Boulevard, 0.32 acres, about a block from the Indiana Green Line station.
  • Park No. 592: Vincennes Avenue in Grand Boulevard, 0.38 acres, the largest.

The dog area

The whole of Park No. 591 is the dog area. The Park District says the Oakland community picked this piece of city-owned land for a Dog Friendly Area, the city transferred it to the Park District in 2019, and the Park District built it as a dog park. The other two sites were transferred a year earlier, in 2018.

BARC says each of its parks has separate spaces for small and large dogs. Unlike Park No. 590, this site had no opening-day report: when 590 opened in September 2019, Block Club Chicago said the Lake Park Avenue park was still going through final checks, and we have not found a later account of what was built. Check the surface and whether the water is on when you arrive.

Quick facts

  • Address: 3902 S. Lake Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60653 (the Park District’s dog-area listing uses 3900)
  • Community area: Oakland
  • Size: 0.31 acres
  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., the Park District’s standard dog-area hours
  • Small-dog area: yes, per BARC
  • Park District phone: (312) 747-9938

Next door: Mandrake Park

What sets this Bronzeville dog park apart is its neighbor. Mandrake (Henry Brown) Park, at 3858 S. Cottage Grove Ave., covers 10.16 acres. It has a running track, an artificial turf athletic field, tennis and basketball courts, baseball diamonds and a playground. Its fieldhouse is the former Abraham Lincoln Center.

The park honors Henry McNeil Brown (1935 to 1996), an activist who, according to the Park District, began whitewashing billboards in 1990 that advertised alcohol and tobacco to Black and Latino children. The Park District bought the land in 1999 and 2000 and built the park.

Mandrake Park is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dogs must stay leashed outside the dog area. The Park District says it also hosts Movies in the Park screenings and other Night Out in the Parks events.

About Oakland

Oakland runs from 35th Street to 43rd Street, between Cottage Grove Avenue and Lake Shore Drive. At about 0.6 square miles, it is the smallest of Chicago’s community areas. Of the three Bronzeville dog parks, this is the one nearest the lake.

Permit and hours

Bring your dog’s Park District DFA tag; our Chicago city guide explains who needs one and how to buy it. The Park No. 591 page lists no special hours, so the standard 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. applies.

Other dog parks nearby

See also all Chicago dog parks.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Bronzeville dog park 591?

At 3902 S. Lake Park Ave., on the east side of Mandrake Park. The Park District places it in the Oakland community area.

Is Park No. 591 in Bronzeville or Oakland?

Both, depending on who you ask. It was built as one of three Bronzeville dog parks, but the Park District lists it in the Oakland community area.

Can my dog go into Mandrake Park?

On a leash, yes. Off-leash play is only for the fenced dog area.

Is there a small-dog area at Bronzeville dog park 591?

BARC says each of the three Bronzeville parks has separate spaces for small and large dogs.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District Park No. 591, Park No. 591 Dog Friendly Area and Mandrake (Henry Brown) Park; City of Chicago, Three Dog Parks Approved for South Side Neighborhoods; BARC locations; Block Club Chicago, 5 February 2019; Oakland, Chicago (Wikipedia). Park details change, so check before you go.

Bronzeville Dog Park 590 in Chicago — illustration of dogs playing at the off-leash area (not a photo)

Bronzeville Dog Park 590, Chicago: Indiana Ave by the Green Line

Bronzeville dog park 590 is a 0.32-acre Chicago Park District dog area at 3938-40 S. Indiana Ave., in the Grand Boulevard community area. It has separate sides for smaller and larger dogs and a fountain for dogs and people, according to Block Club Chicago’s opening report. Of Bronzeville’s three dog parks, it opened first, and it sits about a block from a Green Line station.

Planning a trip with your dog? Get our free dog-friendly travel guide — tips and recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Which Bronzeville dog park is this?

Bronzeville has three small Park District dog areas, all known by number rather than name. The neighborhood group that campaigned for them says they sit about a mile apart. Here is how they differ:

  • Park No. 590 (this page): South Indiana Avenue in Grand Boulevard, 0.32 acres, about a block north of the Green Line’s Indiana station.
  • Park No. 591: South Lake Park Avenue, just east of Mandrake Park, and the only one of the three in the Oakland community area.
  • Park No. 592: South Vincennes Avenue in Grand Boulevard, and at 0.38 acres the largest of the three.

What Bronzeville dog park 590 is like

Many Chicago dog areas are a fenced corner of a bigger park. This one is not. The whole site is the dog area: the Park District says it developed this park as a Dog Friendly Area, and lists no other facilities there. Don’t expect a playground, field or fieldhouse next door.

When it opened, Block Club Chicago reported two separate areas for larger and smaller dogs, a water fountain for dogs and humans, and bench seating. The city’s 2018 plans for all three Bronzeville parks called for synthetic turf, black metal fencing, landscaping, dog water fountains and security lighting. We have not found a Park District page that confirms the finished surface or lighting, so treat those as planned features.

Quick facts

  • Address: 3938-40 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago, IL 60653
  • Community area: Grand Boulevard
  • Size: 0.32 acres
  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., the Park District’s standard dog-area hours
  • Small-dog area: yes, separate from the large-dog side
  • Water: fountain for dogs and people (reported at opening)
  • Park District phone: (312) 747-6007

How Bronzeville got its first dog park

These were the first official dog parks in Bronzeville. About 300 residents in the Bronzeville Association for Recreation with Canines (BARC) spent 18 months pushing for them, WTTW reported in August 2018. The three sites were empty city-owned lots, and BARC says they were the top vote-getters in a poll of its members.

The city proposed the parks in July 2018, and City Council approved them that September. The city sold each lot to the Park District for $1. The build for all three was paid for with $1.8 million in tax increment financing and $92,000 in Open Space Impact Fees.

In February 2019, Block Club Chicago reported that this Indiana Avenue site would be built after the other two. It ended up opening first, with a ribbon cutting in September 2019. At the time, Block Club said the Lake Park and Vincennes parks were still in final checks. Heather Gleason, the Park District’s director of planning and development, told Block Club: “It’s really great to see how dog parks do build community.”

Getting there

The Green Line’s Indiana station is at 4003 S. Indiana Ave., about a block south of the dog area, and CTA lists a connection to the #39 bus there. Pets can ride CTA only in carriers.

Permit and upkeep

Like every Park District dog area, it expects your dog to have a current Dog Friendly Area tag, and our Chicago city guide explains how to get one. BARC still supports the three parks and runs a Facebook group for local dog owners. When the parks were being built, the Park District asked for volunteers to help keep them clean and act as monitors.

Other dog parks nearby

For every Chicago dog area, see all Chicago dog parks.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Bronzeville dog park 590?

It is at 3938-40 S. Indiana Ave., in the Grand Boulevard community area, about a block north of the Indiana Green Line station.

Does Park No. 590 have a small-dog area?

Yes. It has separate areas for smaller and larger dogs, according to both BARC and Block Club Chicago’s opening report.

What are the hours at Bronzeville dog park 590?

The Park District’s dog areas are open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Park No. 590 page does not list different hours.

Which Bronzeville dog park is the biggest?

Park No. 592 on Vincennes Avenue, at 0.38 acres. Park No. 590 is 0.32 acres and Park No. 591 is 0.31 acres.

When did the Indiana Avenue dog park open?

It opened with a ribbon cutting on 17 September 2019, the first of Bronzeville’s three dog parks.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District Park No. 590 and Park No. 590 Dog Friendly Area; City of Chicago, Three Dog Parks Approved for South Side Neighborhoods; WTTW, 6 August 2018; Block Club Chicago, 5 February 2019 and 18 September 2019; BARC locations; CTA Indiana station. 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.

Planning a trip with your dog? Get our free dog-friendly travel guide — tips and recommendations delivered to your inbox.

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.

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.

Planning a trip with your dog? Get our free dog-friendly travel guide — tips and recommendations delivered to your inbox.

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.

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

Horner Park Dog Park, Chicago: Big Run With a Small-Dog Area

Horner Park dog park is a fenced, volunteer-built off-leash area in the southwest corner of Horner Park, on Chicago’s Northwest Side in the Irving Park community area. It has a separate section for dogs under 30 pounds, a water play area and a dog drinking fountain, so it suits both big runners and small dogs that prefer their own space.

Planning a trip with your dog? Get our free dog-friendly travel guide — tips and recommendations delivered to your inbox.

What the Horner Park dog park is like

The Horner Park Advisory Council describes the Dog Friendly Area as “25,000 square feet of fun,” with a water play area, a small dog area, a drinking fountain, natural landscaping and benches. The volunteers’ own FAQ lists Fibar ground cover, laid fresh each year, plus pavers and benches; the council’s clean-up notes mention sweeping the patio and moving mulch to spots that need it.

  • Small-dog area: meant for dogs under 30 pounds. Small dogs may also use the large-dog side.
  • Water: a drinking fountain on copper water lines and a splash pad, both added in the second phase of construction, which finished in July 2021.
  • Trash: the Park District does not empty bins inside the dog area, so the bins are placed as close to the entrance as possible. Carry bags out to them.
  • Lighting: there is none, so plan evening visits before dark.

A dog park built by neighbors

This area exists because local dog owners pushed for it. Block Club Chicago reported in August 2018 that the first phase had opened “after 5 years of hope,” following fundraising by a committee working with the Horner Park Advisory Council.

Phase two brought most of what you see today. When it reopened in July 2021, Block Club Chicago listed fencing, separate areas for small and large dogs, benches, a water fountain and a cooling station with a kiddie pool. The work ran late, partly because crews dug up broken glass from the site’s industrial past and had to remove about 6 inches of soil and replace it with clean fill.

The group behind it, the Dog Friendly Area Committee, still runs things day to day. It holds a clean-up on the first Saturday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m. It also raises money with a dog calendar photo contest.

What to know before you go

Watch for glass after heavy rain. The site was once a brick yard and garbage dump, and the dog park’s own FAQ warns that when the ground is disturbed or after heavy rains, glass fragments and other debris can come to the surface. Check the ground if it has been wet.

Tags and permits. Like every Chicago Park District off-leash area, this one expects each dog to wear a current Dog Friendly Area tag; our Chicago city guide explains how to get one.

House rules. The posted rules allow three dogs per person and no food, human or dog.

The rest of Horner Park

Horner Park covers almost 58 acres. The Park District says the site began as clay pits and later a garbage dump; acquisition began in 1946 and the fieldhouse was added in 1956. The park honors Henry Horner, Illinois’ first Jewish governor. A red granite monument in the northwest corner depicts his accomplishments, and an art deco relief carved by John David Brcin in 1948 was moved here from Grant Park in 1956.

Along the park’s riverside edge, the advisory council says 13 acres of prairie and oak savanna have been restored beside the North Branch of the Chicago River, with more than half a mile of trails. That natural area is posted with “No Dogs” signs, which Block Club Chicago reported in October 2024 were being ignored and vandalized. Keep your dog out of the natural area and use the dog park and the park’s ordinary lawns and paths, on leash, instead.

Getting there

The dog park sits near the corner of Irving Park Road and California Avenue. The Park District’s address for the dog area is 2741 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60618, which is the park’s main address on Montrose Avenue, so use Irving Park and California if you’re walking straight to the dog area. CTA’s #80 Irving Park bus runs along Irving Park Road past the south edge of the park.

Quick facts

  • Address (CPD): 2741 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60618; dog area at the southwest corner, near Irving Park Rd. and California Ave.
  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., the same as the park; no lights
  • Size: about 25,000 square feet, per the advisory council
  • Small-dog area: yes, for dogs under 30 pounds
  • Water: dog drinking fountain and splash pad
  • Surface: Fibar wood-fiber ground cover, plus pavers and a patio
  • Cost: free to enter; CPD Dog Friendly Area tag required

Nearby dog spots

Farther up the river, the River Park dog park is a much smaller run beside a riverside park with canoe launches. To the southeast, the Hamlin Park dog park in Roscoe Village was renovated in 2026, and the Challenger Park dog park is a compact option in Buena Park. For every Park District run, see all Chicago dog parks.

Horner Park dog park FAQ

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

Yes. The small-dog area is for dogs under 30 pounds, and small dogs can also use the large-dog side.

Is Horner Park dog park fenced?

Yes. The 2021 phase of work added fencing and separate areas for small and large dogs.

What are the Horner Park dog park hours?

It follows Horner Park’s hours, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. There is no lighting, so the volunteers recommend going in daylight.

Is there water for dogs at Horner Park?

Yes. There is a dog drinking fountain and a splash pad, both installed in the 2021 phase of work.

Can I walk my dog in the Horner Park natural area?

No. The riverside natural area is posted “No Dogs.” Use the dog park, or keep your dog leashed on the rest of the park.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: Horner Dog Friendly Area, Chicago Park District: Horner (Henry) Park, Horner Park Advisory Council: Dog Friendly Area, Horner Park Advisory Council, Horner Park Dog Park FAQ, Horner Park Dog Park: Dog Park Vision, Horner Park Dog Park: Rules, Block Club Chicago (Aug 3, 2018, Jul 13, 2021, Oct 23, 2024), CTA #80 Irving Park. Park details change, so check before you go.

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

Fred Anderson Dog Park, Chicago: Turf Runs, Tunnel and Shade

Fred Anderson dog park is a pair of fenced, artificial-turf dog areas in Anderson (Fred) Park, at 1611 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago’s South Loop. There is one area for small dogs and one for large dogs, each with water play fountains, a tunnel, shade structures and a dog drinking fountain.

Planning a trip with your dog? Get our free dog-friendly travel guide — tips and recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Inside the Fred Anderson dog park

The Chicago Park District lists a solid set of features for its two enclosed dog areas. Each one has:

  • artificial turf
  • water play fountains, plus a dog-friendly drinking fountain
  • a tunnel
  • shade structures
  • benches and picnic tables
  • “Omega style” safety fencing

The South Loop Dog Park Action Cooperative (SLDogPAC), the volunteer group that supports the area’s dog parks, describes the ground as artificial turf and concrete rather than grass. Because the small and large dogs have their own fenced areas, you can keep a small or nervous dog away from bigger, rougher play.

Quick facts

  • Address: 1611 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60616
  • Community area: Near South Side
  • Park size: 1.20 acres, including the dog areas, a stage and a community garden
  • Surface: artificial turf
  • Small-dog area: yes, fenced separately
  • Water: water play fountains and dog drinking fountains
  • Shade: shade structures in both areas

Hours: check the sign

The Park District gives two different closing times. The dog area’s own listing says 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, the usual hours for Chicago dog areas. The Anderson (Fred) Park page says the park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Plan to finish by 9 p.m. unless the posted sign says otherwise.

The park and the man it honors

Anderson Park is small, but the dogs share it with more than you might expect. The Park District lists a community garden and a stage with a seating wall for performances by local artists, with its own shade structures, benches and electrical service.

The stage suits the name. Fred Anderson (1929 to 2010) was a jazz saxophonist who, the Park District says, taught himself piano from the age of five. From 1982 he helped run the Velvet Lounge on South Indiana Avenue, later taking it over and turning it into a renowned venue for creative music. He was also one of the original Chicago members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. The park was named for him in 2011.

It took a while to build. DNAinfo reported in November 2014 that the park had been in planning for six years and would open in mid-December 2014. It was designed by Altamanu and built by Robe Construction. At the time, the plans included planters, concrete walkways, lighting, ornamental fences and shade canopies, as well as the turf dog areas.

Getting there and nearby walks

The park is on Wabash Avenue in the blocks south of 16th Street, in the South Loop. If you want a second stop, Coliseum Park also has a dog area, a block or two north at 1466 S. Wabash Ave. It is a smaller park of 0.75 acres, with a playground as well. Further north, toward downtown, is the Grant Park dog park.

Your dog will need a Park District DFA tag to use the turf areas. Our Chicago city guide covers the permit, along with CTA’s rules if you are bringing a dog by train.

More Chicago dog parks

Frequently asked questions

Is Fred Anderson dog park fenced?

Yes. Both areas are enclosed with what the Park District calls Omega-style safety fencing.

Does Fred Anderson dog park have a small-dog area?

Yes. There are two separate enclosed areas, one for small dogs and one for large dogs.

Is there water for dogs at Fred Anderson Park?

Yes. The Park District lists water play fountains and dog-friendly drinking fountains in the dog areas.

What time does Fred Anderson dog park close?

Park District listings give either 9 p.m. or 11 p.m. The park page says 9 p.m., so check the posted sign.

Who was Fred Anderson?

A Chicago jazz saxophonist (1929 to 2010) who ran the Velvet Lounge. The park was named for him in 2011.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District Anderson (Fred) Park, Anderson (Fred) Dog Friendly Areas and Coliseum Park; South Loop Dog Park Action Cooperative; DNAinfo, 25 November 2014. Park details change, so check before you go.