Top 10 off-leash dog parks in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a vibrant area full of big open spaces for both dogs and their humans—and that means there are some excellent off-leash dog parks in Brooklyn. Many dog runs were created by residents in the immediate area, and they treat the parks like their own backyard. So do be considerate and never forget the doggie bag!

Click on the map below for more info and scroll down for photos of the parks.

Top 10 Dog Parks in Brooklyn

Hillside Dog Park
Shore Road Park
Dyker Beach Park
McCarren Park Dog Run
Monsignor McGlorick Park
Bay Ridge Owls Head Park
Seth Low Playground
Brower Park
Fort Greene Park
Dimattina Street Dog Run

1. Hillside Dog Park

Located in Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn dog owners (and their dogs!) love the Hillside Dog Park for good reason. It’s located at Columbia Heights & Vine Street, and with a double-gated entrance for controlled dog coming and going, nice benches, and water, it’s got all of the comforts.

A diverse mix of dogs and their owners come here daily. Of all the off-leash dog parks in Brooklyn, this might be the best one for de-sensitizing your pup to large crowds, but you will have a hard time finding parking. It’s far easier for owners of small dogs to get here on the subway—just tuck your pal in a favorite carrier and go.

Overall, this well-loved dog park should make for a fun day. With dirt and wood chip paths, the park is easy on the paws, but beware: you will get muddy.

2. Shore Road Park

Located in Bay Ridge

The Shore Road Park is a quick walk from the Bay Ridge – 95 Street subway station. A nearly five-mile area that is also home to an excellent walking path, this scenic park has an extensive dog run, unlike some of the smaller off-leash dog parks in Brooklyn. According to the city website, the designated off-leash area is along Shore Road from 4th Avenue to 69th Street.

With hills and meandering paths, it makes for a great endurance course. The Belt Parkway runs parallel to this space, so do expect some noise. However, there are also stunning views of the Verrazano Bridge.

3. Dyker Beach Park

Located in Dyker Heights

At the intersection of 86 Street and 7th Avenue, you can find a large fenced dog area with mature trees and lots of space for your dog to find their perfect playmate. The park offers water and great places to sit. There’s a mix of grass and gravel, and there can be some dusty patches.

The park itself is quite beautiful. Parts are intimate thanks to plantings that create smaller spaces. Over the past forty years the community has bought parcels of land in phases to assemble this space for public use. Besides a stellar dog park, there are areas for athletes and families, even a golf center for the local youth league.

4. McCarren Park Dog Run

Located in Williamsburg

At the corner of Driggs Avenue and North 12th Street is the entrance to the McCarren Park Dog Run. This little park is beloved and fun. Ideal for large and small pooches, there are two areas divided by size, so no fear that your little Pomeranian will get spooked.

Be warned that the pee smell, especially in the summer, is strong. While there isn’t a lot of space or many amenities, the area offers many walkable destinations and there’s a bathroom in the park.

5. Monsignor McGlorick Park

Located in Greenpoint

No list of off-leash dog parks in Brooklyn would be complete without a nod to this popular area of Greenpoint. The entrance of this park is at Nassau Avenue and Russell Street.

A quick walk from Nassau Ave (G train), you can easily take a small dog here via subway. Otherwise, you can drive here via McGuinness Blvd or the BQE.

New gardens have freshened the space, and with beautiful sunset views of the Chrysler Building, it is a small gem in the borough. Mostly frequented by nannies and parents, it is a great park for kids and dogs.

6. Bay Ridge Owls Head Park

Located in Bay Ridge

At 68th Street and Shore Road, or on the same side as Colonial Road, Owls Head Park in Bay Ridge is a family favorite. You can let your dog off-leash on a long and narrow strip near the road, but don’t worry: the area is fully fenced in. It’s a small space with a dirt ground.

The park is great place to go jogging with your furry friend. The space is grassy, making laps easy on the knees. The park itself has WiFi hotspots, bathrooms, a splashpad for children, and many more amenities.

7. Seth Low Playground

Located in Bensonhurst

While not technically an off-leash dog park, Seth Low Playground at West 12th Street and Avenue P is a little known spot for dog owners in the neighborhood. A triangle bordered by Foster Avenue and East 89th Street, this space is like many small parks made from intersections of the original grid plan for the city.

8. Brower Park

Located in Bedford-Stuyvesant

Off-leash dog parks in Brooklyn abound, but truth be told, Brower Park requires you to leash your dog near playgrounds and other sections. Still, it’s worth including here for its lovely, low-key vibe. It is a very quiet area, with minimal traffic noise this is an ideal spot for skittish pets.

The park is located at the intersection of Brooklyn and Kingston Avenues. Bordered by Park and Prospect Places, the park is close to the Nostrand Subway Station.

9. Fort Greene Park

Located in Boerum Hill

Fort Greene Park at the corner of Cumberland and DeKalb is one of the greatest off-leash dog parks in Brooklyn. It’s a gorgeous, hilly green space with mature trees.

Encompassing over 30 acres, this is the place where Continental Soldiers built forts, named for Revolutionary War Hero; American-born Major General Nathanael Greene. Beloved by Walt Whitman, this space was originally planned by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1867. Today it is more than a historical site, but many neighborhood residents treat the park as their backyard.

10. Dimattina Playground and Dog Run

Located in Red Hook

Dimattina Dog Run is located at Rapelye and Hicks Streets, with the entrance at this corner intersection. Dogs are welcome to interact sans-lease at the corner nearest to Hicks Street. Iron gates and fences keep your pet secure.

The dog run is in view of the handball and tennis courts, which are securely surrounded by simple chain link. Expect local children or even tennis pros to be enthusiastic observers of your dog’s antics. The park is also very well-lit at night.

Top 10 Off-Leash Dog Parks in Brooklyn