Check out these great dog parks in and around Evanston, IL. Any of these dog parks will make a great day trip for you and your pup!
Pooch Park
3220 Oaktown St, Skokie, IL 60076
5am-10pm, daily
847.674.1500
Along the eastern bank of North Shore Channel, Pooch Park is Skokie’s only off-leash dog park. Located within Channelside Park, Pooch Park spans over two and a half acres of open space. Aside from a puppy/small dog and large dog area, the park additionally offers an agility course. The Skokie Park District partners with City of Evanston to maintain Pooch Park. While open every day from five in the morning to ten at night, the park is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 1:00p.m. and 3:30p.m. for maintenance.
Pottawattomie Park
7340 N Rogers Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
773.262.5835
Located inside Pottawattomie Park’s northside, you can find the Dog Friendly Area east of Wolcott and South of Birchwood. Locals say it is a little hard to find at first, but is one of the city’s greatest hidden gems. The dog area has a gravel-dirt ground to let your dog and run play with numerous benches for you to sit down and catch your breath. There is a separate area for small and large dogs so you don’t have to worry about any rough-housing or injury. The park provides a drinking fountain for dogs however it does get shut off during the winter so pipes don’t burst. There is a small doggy pool in case your friend likes to play in the water. Please remember to bring plastic bags to clean up after your pooch as no one likes an irresponsible owner! The park has garbage cans so you don’t have to bring your dog’s waste home with you.
Gillson Park Dog Beach
Gillson Park, Wilmette, IL 60091
6am-10am, 3:30pm-9:30pm (currently)
Gillson Park Dog Beach Website
Located on Gilson Park’s southside is Willmette’s dog beach. Folks come from all over to let their dogs run free at this popular off-leash oasis. Your dog will need a permit to access to Dog Beach as well as your dog must stay on a leash until they reach the dog beach. The Dog Beach is closed on July third and fourth and has rotating hours. June fourteenth through August sixth the park is open Monday through Friday from six to ten and reopens from three thirty to ten thirty. Saturday and Sunday the beach is open from six in the morning until nine-thirty at night. For more information recording necessary dog immunizations and dog policies, click here
Edgewater Dog Park
5800 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60660
If you want a fenced in area for your dog to run around, stop by Edgewater Dog Park. While not terribly populated, Edgewater Dog Park can be a nice place to spend some quality one-on-one time with your pooch outside. The dog park has been filled with mulch, so sensitive dogs should wear booties and expect to give your dog a bath if you visit shortly after it rains. While there are dog bowls provided, you will need to bring your own water to fill them. There are also garbage cans so you can properly dispose of your pet’s droppings after cleaning up after them. The park does offer benches and trees for shade during the scorching summer days.
Puptown Dog Park
Northeast corner of Lawrence and N Marine Dr, Chicago, IL 60640
6am-11pm, daily
312.742.7522
The locals of Puptown Dog Park take great pride in the land that was given to them. Spring through fall, every other Saturday community members get together to rake the gravel, replace the fill, stock the poop bag dispensers, and even sanitize the park! For new dog owners, you can learn about canine postures to understand your dog’s body language. Furthermore, Puptown provides extensive content regarding safety guidelines and what to do if your dog instigates an incident or is on the receiving end of an incident. If you can’t make it out on a Saturday to help volunteer, you can always donate to Puptown Park via PayPal.
