Like many progressive metropolitan areas, Baltimore has really embraced its furry, four-legged friends. On any given day, you’ll find people and their canine companions strolling along sidewalks, jogging in parks, and even enjoying a doggy drink and a snack at one of the city’s many dog-friendly restaurants and pubs. But if Fido’s passion is running free and romping with friends, you’ll love the abundant Baltimore dog parks, where pets and their people play to their hearts’ content. If you and your dog are moving to Baltimore, check out these five entertaining pet-friendly parks.
Locust Point Dog Park at Latrobe Park
1518 Latrobe Park Terrace
This fully fenced, off-leash dog park is located in the McHenry Row neighborhood in Locust Point, and it’s packed with amenities to delight even the most active dogs. There are trees full of squirrels, rocky outcroppings to climb, and plenty of space to run. Does your dog love water? Locust Point has water features, including a canine water slide for the adventurous pooch. Best of all, the park is Astroturfed, so you don’t need to worry about muddy paws messing up your car.
Locust Point doesn’t distinguish between large and small breeds; everyone plays together here. However, the park is reserved for small breeds and senior dogs every day from 9 am to 10 am and from 3 pm to 4 pm. Bring your favorite book and prepare to settle in for awhile—your dog isn’t going to want to leave this dog park.
Canton Dog Park
On Toone Street between Clinton Street and Bouldin Street
Canton, the trendy waterfront community, is a magnet for people and dogs alike. The Canton Dog Park is a green oasis where people and pets love to hang out and socialize. This double-fenced, off-leash dog park has separate sections for large and small dogs with plenty of shade and comfortable benches, and convenient parking close by. Forget your water bottle? No problem—there are fountains to quench Fido’s thirst.
The park is open from dawn to dusk and poop bags are provided. Of note: The park is off limits to puppies under four months of age and humans younger than 8. Admission is free, but you need to register your dog with BARCS, the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, which includes a small annual fee, and attach the BARCS tag to your dog’s collar while he is at the park.
Hannah More Park BARCÂ Park
12035 Reisterstown Road
The BARC (Baltimore Animal Recreation Center) Park at Hannah More Park on Reisterstown Road is the only sanctioned off-leash dog park in Baltimore County (not to be confused with Baltimore City), and it’s got plenty of space for freewheeling pooches. There’s a large one-and-a-half acre enclosure for large breeds and a three-quarter acre park for the little guys with lots of trees, grass, and wide-open spaces dotted with water fountains.
You’ll have to register your dog with the Reisterstown Recreation Office ($25 annual fee) and show proof of vaccination. There’s a two-dog per owner max and children under 12 are not allowed in the off-leash areas.
Patterson Park Dog Park
In 2012, the residents of Patterson Park neighborhood decided to make the lovely 137-acre park, for which the neighborhood is named, more welcoming for its four-legged family members. So they ripped up a few tennis courts and put in a dog park with two separated fenced-in areas, one for small dogs and seniors, and another for boisterous big breeds.
There is plenty of grass and trees and boulders to climb, plus the asphalt areas are specially treated to keep them cool in summer. Visit in summer, when the puppy pools appear on the Astroturfed hills for refreshing water play. The park is open from dawn to dusk and everyone is welcome, even out-of-town visitors—just remember to bring your own bags, since none are provided. Keep in mind, children under age 8 aren’t allowed in the off-leash areas.
Quiet Waters Dog Park
600 Quiet Waters Park Road
While not exactly located in Baltimore, it’s far and away one of the most popular dog parks near the city, probably because it’s loaded with amenities and features for everyone in the family. Just a short drive away to Anne Arundel County, between the South River and Harness Creek, Quiet Waters Dog Park is nestled among some 340 acres of natural woodlands, open grasslands, and sandy beaches, including a separate dog beach for the water-loving canine in your family. There are also six miles of paved nature trails you can explore with your pooch.
The Quiet Waters Dog Park features two separate fenced enclosures for large and small dogs and all kinds of conveniences for pet owners: Abundant water fountains, pet rinse stations to wash away grime, free poop bags, and plenty of covered trash cans. Quiet Waters sponsors several pet parties each year, including the Howl-o-Ween Barkin’Â Bash, dog-friendly outdoor concerts, and the dog-friendly Art Festival each spring.
The park is open dawn to dusk daily, except Tuesdays, when it closes for cleaning and maintenance. There is no fee to enjoy the dog park amenities. This is a seasonal park and closes each winter from November through March. The dog beach closed temporarily in September, 2015, due to erosion, but the rest of the park is open for business.
Are you and your dog looking for fun? You’ll find plenty of places to roam and play at these clean and friendly Baltimore dog parks.
2 Point Highlight
1. If Fido’s passion is running free and romping with friends, you’ll love the abundant Baltimore dog parks, where pets and their people play to their hearts’ content.
2. Locust Point Dog Point has water features, including a canine water slide for the adventurous pooch.
