Long known throughout the Pacific Northwest as a dog-friendly city, Eugene features many restaurants, cafes, pubs and other establishments that offer outdoor seating for dogs and their human companions. It is also known for permitting does at farmers markets, music festivals and other public outdoor gatherings.
In the 1990’s, Eugene residents welcomed the city’s first off-leash dog parks. Since then, the city has seen its off-leash dog areas flourish, several of which with the help of volunteers dedicated to maintaining the facilities for local dogs and dog lovers.
Families with dogs will find Eugene’s off-leash dog areas are located within parks suitable for adults and children as well as their canines. If you are new to Eugene or thinking of moving to the area, here is an overview of the city’s off-leash dog parks:
1. Alton Baker Park
Leo Harris Parkway
Eugene, OR, 97401
Located behind Autzen Stadium, home to the University of Oregon Ducks football team, Alton Baker Park’s off-leash dog area is the most popular park of its kind in Eugene, largely owing to its relatively generous size and proximity to many recreational features.
Owned and maintained by the City of Eugene since 1959, 373-acre Alton Baker Park is composed of the 237-acre Whilamut Natural Area and much more developed West Alton Baker Park, which features a boat launch, BMX track, exercise stations, disc golf course, picnic tables, restrooms and looped path, along with the off-leash dog area.
The 4-acre off-leash dog park includes a dog wash station, benches, walking trails with rest stops and a pasture rotation system allowing half of the off-leash area’s grass to regenerate while the other half is in use. Volunteers help city parks staff maintain the facility, devoting hundreds of hours per year caring for the property and educating new users on park rules.
Parking, which is free, is available within the Autzen Stadium parking complex. The park is also easily accessible via a partially paved footpath, which runs between the University of Oregon campus and the stadium.
2. Amazon Park
22 Amazon Parkway
Eugene, OR 97405
This facility, located in the center of south Eugene, is divided into a 3-acre off-leash park for dogs of all sizes and a .5-acre park for dogs weighing 25 pounds or less. When there are no small dogs at the park, dogs of any size are permitted to use the smaller area.
Although it is widely known within the community for its off-leash dog areas, Amazon Park is part of a nearly 100-acre park with natural areas, community and recreation centers, bicycle and pedestrian paths, ball fields, basketball courts, exercise stations, picnic tables, sand volleyball court, an outdoor swimming pool, skate park, restrooms and tennis courts.
3. Candlelight Park
Royal Avenue and Throne Drive
Eugene, OR 97402
This 12-acre park includes a 3.5-acre off-leash dog area along with its other amenities, including a basketball court, playground, picnic tables, bicycle and pedestrian paths, sports fields and restored waterway. The off-leash dog area is fully fenced in and divided into two areas, allowing those with smaller dogs to keep to one side while those with larger dogs can stay on the other side.
4. Wayne Morse Family Farm and Park
595 Crest Drive
Eugene, OR 97405.
This city-owned, 27.5-acre park includes an off-leash dog park as well as a hiking trail, looped walking path, performance space, picnic tables, restrooms, sports fields, meadow, natural wooded area and historic farmhouse, which is available for rent for small events.
The off-leash dog area is accessible from the main parking lot via a gravel path. The area is a fenced pasture, part of the former farm. Â Dogs have plenty of room to run in this secure, open space.
90064 Coburg Rd
Eugene, OR, 97408
Located 5 miles north of Eugene and managed by Lane County, Armitage Park consists of 57 acres along the banks of the McKenzie River. Its fenced off-leash dog park is 2 acres and includes trees, benches, drinking water and training blinds and is open from dawn until dusk. The general park area features a riverside walking path, horseshoe pit, picnic area and boat ramp. There is a $3 parking fee to use any portion of the park.
All Eugene and Lane County parks require dog owners to follow park and animal control regulations, including ensuring their dogs are licensed and vaccinated, that female dogs in heat are not allowed in local parks, all dogs are on leashes when entering and leaving any park and that all dog waste is removed immediately. Dogs must wear tags indicating that they are licensed and vaccinated. While dogs are welcome throughout all public parks in Eugene, they are allowed on leashes only when they are not in designated off-leash areas.
For those who are unsure if their dogs are well behaved enough to play in a public off-leash area, Eugene-based Opportunity Barks offers a solution. The business offers dog training, along with its daycare and boarding services, utilizing its 2-plus-acre outdoor country setting to teach dogs how to mingle with other pets.
Meanwhile, the Willamette Valley Dog and Cat Motel provides supervised off-lead time for dogs on its “escape-proof” acre of property, located in rural Eugene. Dogs are permitted to run, jump, explore and play without leashes, with payment based on 15-minute increments. The facility also offers guided nature walks, in which dogs are permitted to explore and sniff through fields on 50-foot leads. Participating dogs often see ducks, rabbits, geese, pheasants, sheep and buffalo on the property. Â These walks are available for a fee with a 30-minute minimum.
2 Point Highlight
Since then, the city has seen its off-leash dog areas flourish, several of which with the help of volunteers dedicated to maintaining the facilities for local dogs and dog lovers.
Located behind Autzen Stadium, home to the University of Oregon Ducks football team, Alton Baker Park’s off-leash dog area is the most popular park of its kind in Eugene.
