Dog parks are an excellent way to get outside, exercise your pup, and socialize with other dog owners. They typically feature a large, fenced-in, grassy area where you can let your dog off its leash to run around and play with other dogs. Some will have multiple enclosures for different sizes of dogs and some will have equipment to play with, like tunnels & ramps.
If you’re new to Ohio or recently adopted a new puppy, here are our picks for the best dog parks in the Buckeye State.
Bow Wow Beach
Located at: 5027 Stow Rd, Stow, OH, US, 44224
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Bow Wow Beach is a 7.5-acre dog park with a fun 3-acre lake in the middle. Surrounding the lake is a sandy beach and there are grassy knolls and trees around the exterior. There is a separate area for small dogs, as well. The park is managed by the City of Stow’s Parks and Recreation Department and is open to the public from mid-March through November, 8 am to sunset.
Montgomery County Bark Park
Located at: 6794 Webster St, Dayton, OH, US, 45414
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The Montgomery County Bark Park is an over 6-acre dog park next to the county Animal Resource Center. The park is mostly a grassy hill with agility equipment, a few pavilions, and picnic tables for you to rest while your dog runs around. There is handicap access and paved paths for those with disabilities to take advantage of. The park is run by the Montgomery County Parks & Grounds.
Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park
Located at: 4985 Windfall Rd, Medina, OH, US, 44256
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The off-leash dog park located at Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park has over 7 acres of turf play areas, wooded walking trails, and a pond for dogs to swim in. This fenced-in dog park also includes a separate area for small dogs to play in. The park is open to the public and operated by the Medina County Park District.
Alum Creek Dog Park
Located at: 3615 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH, US, 43015
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Alum Creek Dog Park is a fenced-in off-leash dog park within the Alum Creek State Park. This free park is 4 acres with areas for small and large dogs, both sides include shade trees, benches, and access to a dog beach at the lake. The park was built by a non-profit, Friends of Alum Creek Dog Park, in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources state parks department and is maintained by volunteers of the non-profit. Consider donating or volunteering your time to help!
Otto Armleder Dog Park
Located at: 5057 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH, US, 45226
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Otto Armleder Park is a 305-acre park with 10 acres of fenced-in dog park. With plenty of trails, you can walk your dog on a leash or take them to the fenced-in area for off-leash fun. There are separate areas for small and large breeds. There are shade trees & doggy water fountains to cool off and even a dog shower in case your pup gets a bit dirty. The park is open to the public and operated by a joint venture between the Great Parks of Hamilton County, Cincinnati Recreation Commission, and Cincinnati Park Board.
Prairie Oaks Dog Park
Located at: 3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd, West Jefferson, OH, US, 43026
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The Prairie Oaks Metro Park is home to many miles of on-leash trails and a partially fenced off-leash beach for pups to run around and swim. The beach includes a fun dock to jump off of. They host an annual festival known as Wagfest, so be sure to check that out! Prairie Oaks is open to the public and operated by the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
Scioto Audubon Dog Park
Located at: 400 W Whittier St, Columbus, OH, US, 43215
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The Scioto Audubon Park in Columbus features 1.5 acres of fenced-in artificial turf for your pups to play on, keeping them free from mud in wet weather. There are separate sections for small and large dogs, both with a number of play structures like balance beams, a jumping frame, and a play tunnel. Scioto Audubon is open to the public and operated by the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
Toledo Pet Farm Dog Park
Located at: 1429 Baronial Plaza Dr, Toledo, OH, US, 43615
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The Toledo Pet Farm is a doggie daycare, boarding facility, and groomer that includes a dog park. You can pay an hourly fee to use their dog park, which features agility equipment for training and dog pools for cooling down. The employees also offer training for dogs, if your new puppy is a little unruly. Contact Toledo Pet Farm for more details on their services.
Wiggly Field Dog Park
Located at: 7850 VOA Park Dr, West Chester, OH, US, 45069
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Wiggly Field Dog Park, located within the Voice of America MetroPark, features two fenced-in areas to let your pups roam off-leash - one for small dogs and one for large dogs. There are plenty of benches and shade structures throughout the field so you can rest away from the sun. The park is free to use and operated by MetroParks of Butler County.
Walnut Woods Dog Park
Located at: 6716 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, US, 43125
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Walnut Woods Dog Park features a 3-acre dog park for large dogs plus a separate 1-acre dog park for small dogs. These fenced-in areas include a pond to swim in, agility equipment to play with and pavilions for dog owners to relax. Walnut Woods is open to the public and operated by the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
Washington Park Dog Park
Located at: 1230 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH, US, 45202
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Washington Park’s Dog Park has a number of amenities for dogs to enjoy. There’s a water creek for dogs to play in, a water fountain for pups to drink, and synthetic canine turf for cleanliness. There are large granite boulders providing a nice aesthetic and benches lining the fence, so you can relax. Washington Park is free and open to the public but if you’re driving in, you’ll have to pay to park in the parking garage. The park is operated by the non-profit Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC).
Twinsburg Dog Park
Located at: 9577 Liberty Rd, Twinsburg, OH, US, 44087
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The Twinsburg Dog Park, located in Liberty Park, is a smaller dog park but is considered a hidden gem of the community. The fenced-in park has separate areas for small and large dogs and an obstacle course. There are dog-accessible water fountains to cool off, too. The park is open to Twinsburg residents and managed by the Twinsburg Parks & Recreation.
Heritage Trail Dog Park
Located at: 7262 Hayden Run Rd, Hilliard, OH, US, 43026
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The Heritage Trail Dog Park encompasses 2 sections, one for small breeds and the other for large breeds. The park has a unique feature in its doggie splash pad, a water fountain pumping out a thin layer of water for dogs to run and splash through. There is also agility equipment to exercise your pup. The park is open to the public and is a joint project between the City of Hilliard and the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
Pooch Playground at Pizzurro Park
Located at: 989 Pizzurro Pike Rd, Gahanna, OH, US, 43230
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The Pooch Playground at Pizzurro Park includes a 4-acre fenced area for off-leash play, with separate areas for small and large dogs. There is an agility area to train and exercise your dogs. The large dog area includes paved paths for the handicapped. The Park is open to the public and managed by the Gahanna Department of Parks & Recreation.
Glass City Dog Park
Located at: 1252 Wildwood Rd, Woodsdale Park, Toledo, OH, US, 43614
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The Glass City dog park features three separate fenced-in areas, one for small dogs, one for large dogs, and one for mixed use - including special events! There are plenty of benches, picnic pavilions, and agility equipment for your dog to play on. The park's land is owned by the city but leased and operated by a non-profit Toledo Unleashed. Memberships are required to enter, but it’s well worth it to enjoy this amazing park and its fun events!
Godown Park
Located at: 6099 Godown Rd, Worthington, OH, US, 43085
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Godown Park was developed as a dog park from its inception and was built as a partnership between the City of Columbus and the City of Worthington. It features two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs, totaling 5.5 acres. There are benches to rest on, pathways to walk, and a dog water fountain to help them cool off. The park is operated by Worthington’s Parks & Recreation Department and is open to the public.
Veterans Park Dog Park
Located at: 1714 Schneider St NE, Canton, OH, US, 44721
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Veterans Park in Plain Township includes 4 acres of fenced-in dog park for your pup to run around in. 1.5 acres of the park is dedicated to small dogs and 2.5 acres for large dogs, both with shade to relax from the heat. If you pledge to clean up after your pet, their photo can be featured on the “It’s My Doodie Gallery.” Veterans Park is open to the public and managed by the Plain Township Parks & Recreation.
Cooperation Station Dog Park
Located at: 1439 OH-305, Cortland, OH, US, 44410
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Within the Mosquito Lake State Park, there is a dog park called Cooperation Station. This off-leash dog park has two sections for small and large dogs plus access to Mosquito Lake for all the swimming dogs out there. There is plenty of shade and drinking water provided to cool off your dog if they don't swim.
Rocky Fork Metro Park
Located at: 7180 Walnut St, Westerville, OH, US, 43081
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The dog park at Rocky Fork is a single fenced-in park with 1.8 acres to play in. They have a shade structure and a unique splash pad feature with a water fountain that sprays water for the dogs to play in. Rocky Fork is open to the public and operated by the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
Deeds Point Dog Park
Located at: 2600 Ridge Ave, Dayton, OH 45414
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The newly relocated Deeds Point Dog Park is 1.2 acres larger than the previous park with separate areas for small and large dogs. It’s now located north of Triangle Park. There is a concrete walking trail for those with disabilities and shelters with picnic tables to provide shade. The park is operated by Five Rivers Metroparks and is open to the public.