The 5 Best Dog Parks in North York
Many pet owners and their dogs enjoy dog parks because they offer a place for both dogs and humans to socialize and for the dogs to get some exercise while they're at it. But please bear in mind that they are not good for every dog and every situation. You can read more about what to consider before you take your dog to an off leash dog park.
That being said, people are often searching on-line for “dog parks near me” and for recommendations on which off leash dog parks to go to. Toronto has its fair share of dog parks. There are so many all over the city.
Which are the best dog parks in your area?
These are the 5 best off-leash dog parks in North York.
Earl Bales Dog Park
4169 Bathurst Street situated off Sheppard, just east of Bathurst.
Sufficient parking just metres from the gate at the Sheppard Street Entrance
Pros
It’s a fairly large dog park which offers the ability to separate dogs if for some reason they are not getting along or if you have a dog that may need a bit more space to him or herself.
Covered gazebos provide shade for the humans.
It is a pretty location and surrounded by lovely large trees.
Not situated close to a main road which is great for safety.
Earl Bales Park has many walking trails so you have the choice of taking a long leashed walk with your dog combined with some off leash play time at the dog park.
Cons
The grass is sparse and it can be very muddy! Make sure you have dog wipes or a seat cover in your car if you are driving there.
Sometimes it gets very busy so it is best to plan your visit for quieter times of the day - mid afternoon works well - if you have a dog that prefers just a few companions.
Check out images of Earl Bales Dog Park
2. G Ross Lord Dog Park
4801 Dufferin Street
Situated off Dufferin between Finch and Steeles
Large parking lot just behind the dog park
Pros
It is not very large which I believe is good because your dog can’t get too far away from you.
It does not usually get too crowded.
There are a few benches and a picnic table for people to sit
G. Ross Lord park has many walking trails so you can enjoy a nice leashed walk with your dog and then stop off at the dog park area for some off-leash play and socialization.
Cons
The grass is sparse and it can be very muddy! Take your dog wipes or a towel and seat cover in your car if you are driving there.
It is pretty close to Dufferin Street which is a busy main road, so please leash your dogs carefully when entering and exiting the park.
There is little shade for hot summer days.
Pro and Con ( if there is such a thing!)
A trail runs along the southern end of the park and that is a great place for the dogs to run. It is also fenced so it is perfectly safe. However because it is separated from the main dog park area by trees and bushes, the dogs are not always in sight of their owners.
Here are some photos of G. Ross Lord dog park.
3. Sunnybrook Off-Leash Dog Park
1132 Leslie St
Leslie St and Eglinton Ave E
The off-leash dog park is located in the heart of Sunnybrook Park. It is easiest to access from Leslie Street. If you follow the long road from the Leslie street entrance, just North of Eglinton, for about 5 minutes, you’ll see the off-leash area on the left.
There is sufficient parking in 2 nearby parking lots.
Pros
The main reason I recommend it is because it has a small dog area so if you have a small dog then its a great place to go.
Trees provide shade in the summer.
There is a water fountain in case you forget to bring your own water.
As with Earl Bales and G. Ross Lord, Sunnybrook park has beautiful walking trails allowing you to combine lovely long walks in the main park with off-leash play and socialization time for your dog at the off leash area.
Cons
The ground cover is grass with many large bare areas so it gets very muddy, depending on the weather and season.
This park is busy and frequented by dog walkers and dog owners alike. If your dog is not well socialized or not comfortable with playing in large packs then this is not the park for you.
There is very little space for humans to sit.
In my opinion the large size can be a huge disadvantage especially if your dog likes to run far from you.
Here are some images of the off leash dog park at Sunnybrook
4. Dogsview Park at Downsview
Downsview Park, Sheppard and Keele Streets
Closest parking is on Downsview Park Blvd.
This park is fairly new and opened in November 2020. It is landscaped with a number of small hills which provide a great space for the dogs to run around or climb on top. I really like this park!
Pros
There are separate areas for small and large dogs. I love this feature!
There is a doggy water fountain in case you forget your own water.
Numerous benches provide seating for the humans.
You can take your dog for a leashed walk along Downsview Park’s walking trails and combine this outing with a stop at the dog park for some off-leash playtime.
The ground is a mix of grass and wood chips so mud is not really a problem
I like its size. It feels comfortable but large enough for dogs to get exercise running in and around the little hills, but not too large for your dog to get too far from you.
Cons
If you cannot find parking on Downsview Park Blvd, then Parking is a very long distance away from the park.
Below are photos of the dog park at Downsview Park
5. Sandy Bruce Park
426 Moore Ave
I did not think that this park fell within the North York boundaries. But the City of Toronto lists it as being within the North York district, so I decided to included it because its a really nice park. The dog park is situated in a suburban area adjacent to a green space.
Pros
Its a great size, just large enough for a good play and run, but still a good size to keep your dog in sight at all times.
There is tons of seating on lovely large rocks placed throughout the park.
Good shade is provided by large trees.
The ground is wood chip on sand base so hopefully mud will not be a big problem.
It is a really pleasant environment with lovely trees and rocks throughout the park.
Cons
The only real disadvantage is that there is not much parking. One can park across the street at the shopping plaza or if you’re lucky you may find parking on Leadale Avenue at the north entrance to the park.
Here are some photos of Sandy Bruce Dog Park
I am a pet photographer specializing in dog and cat photography in the Greater Toronto Area. If you would like to find out more about a pet photography session for your fur friends, please do not hesitate to contact me for a free consultation! What’s better than to chat about pets?
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As a member of a pet photographers blog circle, I sometimes participate in weekly blogging. Of course the theme for this week’s blog is dog parks. If you are in the Syracuse area you may be interested in Nancy Kieffer Photography capturing images of dogs at play at dog parks in the Syracuse area.