After a decade of living in Toronto, I thought I had explored all of the best outdoor areas to hang out. I'd made my core memories in High Park, the Islands, Trinity Bellwoods and more, and squeezed every last drop of novelty out of their lesser-known counterparts.
But adopting my dog opened me up to a whole new side of the city — I didn't realize that bringing a pup into the equation would make me relive each experience from a completely different perspective.
Toronto's dog park scene is almost as saturated as its regular park scene. And, although the City website has a handy map of all the municipally owned parks where dogs are allowed off-leash, it can be hard to know which Toronto dog parks are the best.
Of course, there are the big ones, like High Park's off-leash area, the Trinity Bellwoods Park Dog Bowl, Clarke Beach Park at Cherry Beach, and Sunnybrook's off-leash park. I've visited all of these spots and, while I enjoyed them, I'm a sucker for hidden gems — and Toronto has plenty of those in its dog park department.
The spots I've highlighted below are the best I've found for catching vibes without being bogged down by huge crowds of people and their pups. I realize that in doing so, I might be shooting myself in the foot by revealing them to the masses, but I'm a big believer in sharing. So, enjoy.
Sherwood Park
Address: 190 Sherwood Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Should Go: I think Sherwood Park's off-leash area is a truly underrated gem in North York. Its layout is a bit different from your typical dog park, set in a natural forest with a partially fenced area that lets dogs explore trails that include stairs and boardwalks. If you want a provincial park-like experience for you and your dog without making the trek out of the city, I highly recommend this spot.
I see Sherwood Park as the little sibling to High Park, which features a very similar off-leash setup. However, I've found that Sherwood Park doesn't attract nearly as much attention, making it a lot more peaceful.
Why is it such a vibe? I mean, you're surrounded by history with 150-year-old trees, the views can be downright panoramic, and there are enough cute ponds and canopies to make you feel like you've wandered into a scene from The Lord of the Rings — you know, in the beginning, with all the hobbits and serenity.
Bickford Park
Address: 400 Grace St., Toronto, ON
Why You Should Go: If you live near Little Italy, I highly recommend taking your dog to Bickford Park. The park may be smaller than giants like Sunnybrook and High Park, but it packs a lot of heart into its 3 hectares of canine-friendly goodness. Its accessible fountain, comfortable benches, serene settings and soft river-rock ground make it one of my favourite places to spend a sunny afternoon with my pup.
From what I can tell, Bickford doesn't get the same level of love or clout that smaller dog parks like Ramsden or Allan Gardens do, but no matter — it just adds to the more intimate vibe. In my personal opinion, this makes it feel more like a community hub than a high-traffic public space.
I like to go to Bickford Park when I'm in the mood for a calm, shady spot where I can people-watch and enjoy stunning views of nature, especially during the fall. Not that people keep to themselves exclusively; friendly conversations can easily be sparked if you want them. I just find it more low-key and introvert-friendly than my usual trip to Ramsden.
Earlscourt Park
Address: 1200 Lansdowne Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Should Go: Among all the underrated gems on this list, Earlscourt Park seems to get the most recognition online. However, its location at the intersection of Caledonia Road and St. Clair Avenue West makes it feel overshadowed by better-known parks nearby like Dufferin Grove and Baird Park.
The location is what truly makes this park an underrated gem for me. I love how close it is to the lively Geary Avenue scene. It's a must-visit during the summer, when you can take your dog out for an excursion before heading over to the patio at Blood Brothers or The Greater Good for a quick drink.
Not that the park is shabby — it's surrounded by clusters of shady trees and offers nearly a football field's worth of running space for your dog. Throw in some wood chips covering the ground to keep things clean and benches and a picnic table for us humans, and you've got yourself a real treat.
Sir Winston Churchill Park
Address: 301 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Should Go: This is my main park, so I'm biased. I visit Sir Winston Churchill Park most mornings with my dog, and although this list is in no particular order, if I had to pick a number one, this is it.
Located under the massive Spadina Road Bridge, this sandy spot feels a bit otherworldly. Taking your dog there on a hot day feels like stepping onto the set of "Dune" or something, which might sound miserable, but I have yet to find a better park for introverts looking for a recharge.
Going there during the day feels like taking a voyage to my own personal dog park, since it's really only used in the mornings and early evenings. I like to go there when I want to play with my dog one-on-one or even get a little exercise in while she explores the sizable fenced-in area.
Speaking of fences, Winston Churchill has the highest one I've seen, which is very reassuring when you've got an Olympic leaper like my dog.
Withrow Park
Address: 725 Logan Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Should Go: Compared to the iconic Riverdale Park East a couple of blocks away, Withrow is a blip. But that's what makes it such a great hidden gem. Its well-designed layout amongst the hills and trees offers an objectively peaceful space for dogs to roam freely, and its convenient in-park water fountain serves both people and dogs.
Not only that, but the park was literally one of Toronto's first city-sanctioned off-leash areas, giving it that historic this place matters vibe, which can be rare when venturing into the middle of the city.
Its smaller size helps maintain the sense of intimacy that Riverdale East lacks, which is why I always choose it over the latter when I'm in the neighbourhood.
Cedarvale Park
Address: 443 Arlington Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Should Go: I know I'm not the first to shout out Cedarvale for being underrated — ironically, and much to the dismay of those coveting it as "their spot." But not praising its dog park in a list like this would be a crying shame.
I mean, you can hardly beat it in terms of sheer space alone. It's epically sprawling, especially when you combine its primary wood-chipped and secondary grassy off-leash areas. It's the only spot I know of in the city that seamlessly gives you the best of both worlds.
Its adorable little designated shelter has saved my butt from getting drenched many times. On rainy days, my pup drives me up the wall, so I'll usually try to visit Cedarvale because it's so well equipped to deal with nasty weather.
The only downside is that it's not easy to access via public transit. However, even that can't be held against the park, as it's definitely one of the factors keeping this doggie haven from becoming a bona fide hotspot.
I hope this list has opened your eyes to just how many great dog parks Toronto has.
If you haven't found the right one for you, definitely check out these spots — you won't be disappointed!
