Is there anything better than taking your pooch to an off-leash dog park and watching them run around, sniff butts, and play? 

I think not.

Hiking and walking with my dog off-leash is one of my favourite activities. Truly.

I am confident that all the dog lovers out there love dog parks as well, even those who don’t have a furry friend.

In fact, I have been to the dog park countless times where have been people walking or sitting and watching the pooches play who don’t even have a dog. They just love to watch them! 

This list of epic off-leash dog parks is for dog owners and observers alike!

Cobourg Off-Leash Dog Park

The off-leash dog park in Cobourg is a great place to take your pooch to burn off some excess energy.  There is a short walking trail that is adjacent to a small wooded area that your pooch can explore (without fear of losing them!). 

As well, if your pooch loves to chase balls or frisbees, there is a large field area where they can get their fetch on. 

Location: 700 Ontario Street

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Amenities:

• Water station at the entrance
• Assorted picnic tables and benches
• Shed for shade
• Poop collection bags
• Waste containers are emptied promptly

Etiquette

• You are responsible for the actions of your dog.
• Ensure you have control of your dog at all times, whether on or off the leash.
• Stay with your dog at all times.
• Owners should carry a leash at all times.
• You may have a maximum of three dogs off the leash at one time.
• No aggressive dogs are allowed.
• Pick up and dispose of your dog’s waste.
• Make sure your dog is wearing a current license tag on its collar and has current vaccinations.
• Pit bulls must be muzzled and leashed at all times (Dog Owners Liability Act R.S.O 1990 C.D.16 Ontario Regulation 157/05).

Finable Offenses

Animal Control bylaw enforcement takes place at all parks.

Dog owners who do not have proper control of their pets or who do not follow the off-leash rules can face fines.

Failure to clean up after your dog may result in a $100 Provincial Offences ticket, or upon summary conviction, a possible fine of up to $5,000 (exclusive of costs).

Rules

• No attentdant, use at own risk
• This area is for unleashed dogs. Animals by nature can be unpredictable and act on instinct. By entering this area you assume all risk to yourself and persons or animals under your control.
• All dog owners are responsible for their dog’s actions & for any injuries arising from their dog’s behaviour as per Ontario’s Dog Owner Liability Act (DOLA).
• Dogs must be leashed in all unfenced areas, wear a soft collar at all times and owners must carry a leash within the park.
• No pronged or choke collars within the off-leash area.
• No Dogs in heat, sick or aggressive dogs are permitted in the park.
• Dogs must be vaccinated.
• Dogs must be licensed and under the control of a competent person at all times.
• No food, glass containers, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, or children’s toys are permitted.
• No puppies under four months old in the main play area.
• Three dogs per person maximum.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Owners must clean up after their dog(s).
• No animals other than dogs are permitted in the park.

I cannot vouch for the following off-leash dog parks as I have not visited them myself. However, I am confident that you and your pooch will have a good time at any of the dog parks mentioned in this article.

Clarington Off-Leash Dog Parks

Clarington has three off-leash dog parks!

How awesome is that?!

They are located in Bowmanville, Courtice, and Newcastle.

Etiquette

• For safety reasons, children under six years are not allowed to enter the park.
• An adult must supervise any child between 6 and 12 years of age.
• Keep your dog(s) on a leash until you are inside the fenced area.
• Upon entering and exiting, keep your dog(s) on a leash to prevent escapes.
• Do not bring toys, this may create guarding or territorial issues.
• Do not bring any food (including dog treats) into the leash-free park.
• Clean up after your dog.
• Do not bring female dogs in heat or unaltered male dogs into the park.
• Limit the number of dogs you bring into the park to a maximum of three.
• Always keep your dog in sight and within voice range.
• Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations.
• If your dog is bullying or being bullied, leave the park immediately.
• No digging. Fill in any holes your dog has created.
• Respect the rules of the dog park.

Bowmanville Off-Leash Dog Park

Location: The leash-free park in Bowmanville is located south of Highway 401 in the Bowmanville Harbour Conservation Area.

Take Liberty Street South to Lake Road. Turn east on Lake Road and then south at Port Darlington Road. After crossing the railroad tracks, turn west onto West Beach Road.

Follow the signs, the park is on the south side of the road.

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Courtice Off-Leash Dog Park

The Courtice Leash-Free Dog Park is a 1.5-acre fenced dog park located on the east side of the South Courtice artificial turf field.

The park features separate areas for large and small dogs and is located east of the turf field. 

Location: 1595 Prestonvale Road, Courtice

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Newcastle Off-Leash Dog Park

Location: The leash-free dog park in Newcastle is located south of Diane Hamre Recreation Complex at 1780 Rudell Road.

Follow Highway 2 to Rudell Road and turn south. The driveway into the Recreation Complex is on the west side of Rudell Road, approximately 300 metres south of Highway 2.

Park at the west end of the parking lot and follow the limestone trail to the fenced leash-free park.

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Port Hope Off-Leash Dog Park

Baulch Road Park consists of 2 large soccer fields, permanent washrooms, a covered picnic area, a play structure, and a dog park.

A neat feature of this off-leash park is that it has a playground for your kids to play on. Making a trip to the dog park a fun outing for the whole family!

Rules

1. Use of the off-leash dog park is at your own risk.
2. Please always pick up after your dog(s).
3. All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations, rabies shots, and license tags are required.
4. Leash your dog while entering and exiting the dog park.
5. Keep your dog within sight and under verbal control at all times.
6. Puppies under six months of age must use the puppy park.
7. No female dogs in heat permitted.
8. Dogs required by law to be leashed and muzzled must remain so while in the off-leash area.
9. No food or drink in glass containers is permitted.
10. Children must be supervised by an adult.
11. Fill the holes your dog(s) dig.
12. Dogs must be removed from the dog park at the first sign of aggression.
13. No person shall destroy, injure, deface, move or remove any portion of the dog park or mark, write or post upon the dog park structure or permit their dog to destroy, injure any portion of the dog park.

Location: 2230 Baulch Road

Hours: Weather permitting, the park opens on the first Monday in May and closes the first Monday in October. Use of parks prior to the opening date is at your own risk.

Brighton Off-Leash Dog Park

The Municipality of Brighton Off-Leash Dog Park is 200 by 100 feet and features a green space with two separate fenced-in areas.

There is a small dog compound and a big dog area.

Location:  just off of County Road 64, east of town, on the north side of the road.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

I hope this list of off-leash dog parks in and near Northumberland County helps you get out with your pooch a little easier. 

If you have visited any of these dog parks, or want to add some more to the list, please leave a comment down below!