We know the challenges of living in a big city. Finding places where your little, medium, or big dogs can get some of their wiggles out can sometimes be a real challenge. It’s particularly difficult when you need a park that keeps your kids entertained as well. If you’re in this boat, don’t worry. We’ve compiled a short list of dog parks that also have things for you and your kids to enjoy. This is a list of popular one-stop spots that are well-regarded among their communities for being great places to enjoy some fresh air. The local Sit Means Sit location has helped compile a list of these enjoyable places to take your pet.

Carm’s Dog House Park

Address: 1121 E Washington St, Syracuse, NY 13210

Carm’s Dog House Park at Ormand Spencer Park is a charming park in central New York with enough room for the entire family. It spans seven acres of community space and fresh air that you might not want to miss. There is a designated area where dogs can roam free, and the rest of the park is dog-friendly as long as your pup is on a leash.

No food is allowed inside the dog area, including dog food and treats. To help keep everyone safe, dogs are required to have a tag with their validated identification number attached to their collar, as well as proof of rabies vaccine or license. Additionally, dogs who are sick, in heat, or younger than four months old are typically not allowed entrance.

If you need to burn off some energy or allow your kids to do the same, this can be a great place to get it done. Ormand Spencer Park features one Little League Field, two tennis courts, and two basketball courts, as well as a clean, welcoming playground with swings, seesaws, slides, and climbing bars.

If the opposite is true and you just need to kick back and relax for a bit, you can visit the pavilion as long as no events are taking place. It provides shade on sunny days and a windbreak on gusty days. You can view the park, breathe in the fresh air, and settle into a slower atmosphere until you’re ready to head back home.

This park is significant to the community because of its history. The name Ormand Spencer Park comes from a Syracuse police officer who died in 1964. When Onondaga County Legislature candidate Roosevelt Baums proposed the name in 1977, he said that Officer Spencer demonstrated “the tremendous impact that an individual can have on his fellow man and community.”

When you visit this park, be mindful of the history and take good care of the space so that future generations can do the same.

Jamesville Beach Park

Address: 3992 Apulia Rd, Jamesville, NY 13078

Jamesville Beach has a spacious off-leash dog area with a creek and plenty of room for running and playing. There are also often plenty of dogs there, which means your pup will likely have playmates!

All visiting dogs must be under the visual and voice control of their owner. They may run free, but not out of control. Additionally, if there’s an event going on, dogs will have to be leashed unless it’s specifically a dog-friendly event. As with all dog parks, make sure you’re cleaning up after yourself and your dog. The last thing anyone wants is to arrive at a place and find it filthy and uncared for.

If you visit Jamesville Beach in the summer, you can enjoy clean-water swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. If you visit during colder times of the year, don’t stress. You still have many options! The park offers athletic fields, disc golf, fishing, picnic areas, playgrounds, walking trails, and volleyball. No matter the season, you can bring the entire family and enjoy Jamesville Beach Park for days on end!

Wegmans Good Dog Park

Address: 106 Lake Dr, Liverpool, NY 13088

If you’re willing to go just a little way out of Syracuse, Wegmans Good Dog Park in Onondaga Lake Park is, in our view, a fantastic option. It’s open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, all year long. It’s large, entertaining, and very near a playground for your children. The rules are specific but reasonable enough to keep everyone clean and happy. Here are the details:

Dogs are allowed to run without leashes in the devoted dog park area. It’s about 40,000 square feet of fenced-in space that includes exercise areas, jumps, tunnels, bridges, and plenty of red fire hydrants. There are several stops for drinking water and waste cleanup, as well as a double gate at the entrance to help prevent more energetic dogs from bolting every time they get a chance.

Small dogs are welcome to mix with the large dogs, but if you or your dog are uncomfortable with that idea, there’s a separate area for dogs that are less than 25 pounds.

All the rules are posted at the entrance to Wegmans Good Dog Park, but it’s worth noting that all dogs must be under control at all times. Also, pet owners must be able to show proof of vaccination, whether that’s a metal ID tag, vet records, or something else.

Onondaga Lake Park is a beautiful place that’s packed with things to do and trails to walk. The whole family can visit this park together and find plenty of ways to be entertained. When your dog is done running around the off-leash dog park, hook them back up and visit one of the two impressive playgrounds or any of the stunning historic locations, such as the Butterfly Garden of Hope. There are Bocce ball courts, canoe rentals, cross-country skiing, and even archery!

First Time Visiting a Dog Park? We’ve Got You

If you’ve never visited a dog park before, don’t be nervous. There are a few common unspoken rules, some good ideas, and plenty of written rules that we will point out to help you feel more comfortable.

“Come Back”

A recall command is quite important to have mastered. It will make you and your dog’s lives much easier if you don’t have to worry that they’re going to bolt every chance they get.

Go at a Good Age

Puppies are highly sociable creatures, but you should generally wait until they’re at least 4 months old before taking them to a dog park. You also might want to avoid taking your fragile, senior dog. Take dogs at ages where they’re strong, confident, and fully vaccinated.

Vaccinations

Speaking of, your dog must have their major vaccinations up to date before your visit. It’s often expected at many parks that Rabies, Parvo, Distemper, and Adenovirus all need to be as recent as possible, but it’s also clearly stated at the majority of parks. Bordetella is another recommended vaccination to get, as well as something for fleas and ticks.

Leave the Toys and Food at Home

Most of the time, you won’t need toys, and you shouldn’t be out long enough to need food. You don’t want these items to become problems for other dogs. Avoid the potential conflict and leave all that at home.

Stay Alert

As the dog’s owner, you are responsible for your dog’s behavior. You need to be ready at a moment’s notice in case anything happens, either with your dog or someone else’s.

Follow the Rules

This goes without saying. Make sure you’re aware of each individual park’s rules and follow them. This always includes cleaning up after your dog, so don’t forget to pack doggy bags!

No Aggression Allowed

Dog parks are generally for non-aggressive dogs. If your dog is aggressive, other options might be more suited to their needs. If you notice a different dog getting aggressive, it might be best to leave before someone gets hurt.

Have Fun

It may sound like a lot of work but remember that most of these rules are intuitive. Just go, let your dog run, and enjoy your time together.

Published by Stephanie M.