Watch CBS News

Best Parks To Walk Your Dog In Chicago

While Chicago might be known to many as a metropolitan city, there are still places that act as an oasis from the hustle and bustle of a big city. Whether it's downtown living and missing out on open spaces or just a designated area at a park, dog owners have a multitude of options for walking their dogs in Chicago. Check out some parks that feature dog-friendly amenities and make the dog-walking chore much more enjoyable. It can be a great way to allow your dog to release some of that pent-up energy and socialize among other dog lovers.

Wicker Park Fest 2012
(Photo Credit: Mason Johnson)

Wicker Park
1425 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 742-7553
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Wicker Park offers a little over four acres of playing space, with features like a community garden area and a rubberized surface playground for the little ones. This is a great park for families looking to get out into some fresh air as a whole family, including your four-legged family member. The dog-friendly area is located at the intersection of Wicker Park and Evergreen. While you're able to walk your dog throughout the park on a leash, the dog-friendly area lets owners unleash their dogs to frolic together. Built-in seating engulfs this area to ensure owners have plenty of leisure time while their dog runs and plays, while the doggie drinking fountain ensures dogs stay well hydrated.

Margate Park Fieldhouse
4921 N. Marine Drive
Chicago, IL 60640
(312) 742-7522
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Known to many dog owners as "Puptown Dog Park," Margate Park Fieldhouse offers an impressive 16,000-square-foot area designated solely to dogs. There is plenty of seating and shade to ensure owners are kept comfortable, as well as a doggie drinking fountain and available poop bags to make it an overall enjoyable experience. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, this is a highly popular park to walk your dog and can make for a great socialization spot for you and your pet. Summertime really brings in the crowds due to the fun sprinklers for the dogs' enjoyment.

Chicago Park District
(Photo Credit: chicagoparkdistrict.com)

Noethling Playlot Park
2645 N. Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-7816
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Known as "Wiggly Field" to locals in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, this dog-friendly area is located north of Wrightwood and east of Sheffield. This park has a long history involving the community joining together to improve and revitalize the area. There is plenty of space for the dogs to run, poop bags available, a doggie drinking fountain and there are even pools set out for the dogs during warmer months. Due to the popularity of this park, visitors should expect a lot of socialization for both owner and pet.

Related:  Best Dog Walking Services In Chicago

Hamlin Park
3035 N. Hoyne Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(312) 742-7785
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

This eight-acre park has a number of facilities available, including picnic groves and swimming pools. The dog-friendly area is located at the northeast corner of Wellington and Hoyne. The pea gravel surface helps to maintain the cleanliness of this park and there are poop bags available for visitors. There is a little under 6,000 square feet of running and playing room for your dog and a doggie drinking fountain to keep the fun going. This is an L-shaped park to make for a bit of a change to the same old wide format of many dog-friendly areas.

Ward, A. Montgomery Park
630 N. Kingsbury St.
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 742-7895
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Known as "Ohio Street Dog Park," this is a 6,300-square-foot facility is perfect for owners who like to the throw the ball for their dog. The wide open space is ideal for active dogs and their owners. Located in the River West neighborhood of Chicago, this dog-friendly park is a great way to keep your pet active even when living in the heart of the city. The gravel surface can get a little dusty for dogs but is sometimes preferred by owners trying to skip out on muddy paws.

Related: Best Pet-Friendly Getaways Near Chicago

Sara Lugardo is a professional writer out of Chicago, Illinois. She has a Bachelor's in Communication and is currently working on her Master's. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.