There’s no shortage of things to love about Toronto, from its diversity and incredible mix of cuisines to its beautiful architecture and vibrant neighbourhoods. But one of our favourite things about this city has to be its dog-friendliness. Along with pet supply stores and animal hospitals, you’ll find plenty of local parks that are more than welcoming to canine companions. Of course, some are a cut above others.
Here are five dog parks in Toronto your furry family member will love…
1) Kew Gardens
If you live in East Toronto and have a four-legged best friend, the Beaches is a great place to be. Kew Gardens is a big part of the reason for that. Along with its convenient playground, wading pool, trails, and baseball diamond, this convenient green space is home to an off-leash paradise. This fenced-in area, located at the park’s south end, leads up to the lake—providing pretty waterfront views.
2) High Park
It’s the city’s largest green space, and it’s also the best place in town to enjoy some fresh air with your lovable pooch. At an impressive 399 acres, High Park is an outdoor oasis inside the city. Its massive, off-leash area is 8.5 acres in size. Here you’ll find “Dog Hill” (a large play area with doggie water fountains and picnic tables) and expansive, fenced-in trails surrounded by mature trees. If you’re anywhere in the west end, a weekend trip to High Park is always worth your while!
3) Sunnybrook Park
Between Leaside and the Bridle Path sits Sunnybrook Park, a sprawling green space with an impressive 25 bike trails—along with abundant picnic areas and wide-open spaces. With all that room to run, it’s no surprise that there are some wonderful pooch-friendly areas here. If you’re the proud parent of a Daschund, Chihuahua, or French Bulldog, you’ll be especially fond of the separate space for furry friends under 20 pounds. This makes it one of the most accommodating dog parks in Toronto, and all within walking distance of Yonge & Eglinton and Yonge & Lawrence.
4) Allan Gardens
Located along Gerrard Street East, this downtown park is known mostly for its six greenhouses and botanical gardens. Fortunately for canine parents, there’s also a very pretty off-leash dog area at its west end. Similar to Sunnybrook, this fenced-in park contains a space that’s reserved for smaller pooches. It also welcomes dog walkers, which is good to know if you’re hiring someone to help out during the week. Lastly, there’s a fun playground here—so if you have little ones, you can turn your doggie play date into a family affair.
5) Cherry Beach
Without a doubt, Cherry Beach is home to one of the best off-leash dog areas in the city. This Port Lands gem isn’t too far from Central Toronto—in fact, you can walk to it from the Distillery District in less than half an hour. It’s also a great place for dogs, thanks to its expansive off-leash area and sandy stretches to explore. Honestly, we can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than strolling along the water with your best friend in toe—and maybe a coffee in hand.
Of course, any green space where your dog can run around without their leash is a great park, as far as we’re concerned. Just ask our dog Belle!
Looking for a dog walker near you?
While we’re on the subject of pooches, we wanted to mention a valuable resource we recently discovered. As much time as we all devote to our pets, most of us can’t be there 100 per cent of the time. When pandemic restrictions loosen (or when this thing is finally behind us), it’s going to be especially important to find reliable care!
The Rover app makes it easy to find dog walkers, boarders, and daycares close to you. It’s a really handy tool for those times when you’re working long hours or have to leave town for a night or two. On the service provider side, there’s an extensive vetting process—so you can rest assured that your best friend is in good hands.
Whether you’re the only person who walks your dog or you get a little help now and then, knowing the location of the nearest park is a must. If you check out one of the options above, we can pretty much guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
Interested in learning more about the neighbourhoods of Toronto? We’re here to help you find your dream home in this unique community. Reach out to our team today.
