Summer is in full swing, and getting our four-legged friends out for proper exercise is a daily priority. But not all green spaces are created equal. Whether you need a secure off-leash run for a high-energy pup or a shaded, on-leash trail for a leisurely stroll, Montreal and its boroughs have plenty to offer. Here is a breakdown of some of the most practical dog parks across the island and what to expect when you get there.<\/p>\n
Beaconsfield Dog Run (West Island)<\/p>\n
Located on Elm Avenue, this is one of the most spacious off-leash areas in the West Island. The park is fully fenced with a double-gated entrance and features separate enclosures for large and small dogs. The large dog section stands out because it includes a wooded trail area where dogs can explore off-leash among the trees, offering excellent mental stimulation. While there is ample seating and free parking, there is no water fountain. You must bring your own water and travel bowl.<\/p>\n
Terra-Cotta Natural Park (Pointe-Claire)<\/p>\n
If you prefer an on-leash adventure, Terra-Cotta Natural Park offers a dense, shaded canopy that is perfect for hot summer days when pavement temperatures soar. The park features a network of well-maintained hiking trails. It does not have an off-leash enclosure, but the expansive trails provide a scenic workout. It is also just a short drive from Pointe-Claire Village, making it easy to grab a coffee after your walk.<\/p>\n
Parc Pierre Elliott Trudeau (C\u00f4te Saint-Luc)<\/p>\n
This is a prime destination for a relaxed, on-leash walk in C\u00f4te Saint-Luc. The park boasts beautifully landscaped trails and open fields. While it lacks a fenced off-leash run, it is highly accessible, featuring paved walkways, shaded seating areas, and functioning water fountains for both pets and owners. The wide paths make it a comfortable spot for older dogs, or reactive dogs that require extra space from other pets.<\/p>\n
Hampstead Park Dog Run (Hampstead)<\/p>\n
Situated at Queen Mary Road and Fleet Road, this dog run is highly secure. The fenced off-leash area includes park benches, shade, and dedicated water fountains. However, access is strictly controlled. You need a valid Hampstead dog permit, which provides an electronic key to unlock the gate. While this requires a bit of upfront administration, it ensures that all dogs using the facility are registered and vaccinated, offering great peace of mind.<\/p>\n
Notre-Dame-de-Gr\u00e2ce Dog Park (NDG)<\/p>\n
Located within Parc NDG on Sherbrooke Street West, this is a bustling, community-focused off-leash park. It features high fencing, double-door entries, and separate zones for large and small breeds. The base is sand \u2014 easy on dog joints, but a bit dusty. Because it sits within a major municipal park, pet parents have access to nearby picnic tables and public washrooms at the main chalet. Seasonal water fountains are located inside the enclosure.<\/p>\n
Percy Walters Park (Downtown)<\/p>\n
Finding a safe space for a dog to run downtown can be difficult, but Percy Walters Park delivers. Nestled near Doctor Penfield Avenue, this officially designated park features a fully fenced, off-leash area. It is well-equipped with a water fountain, mature trees for shade, and seating. Public washrooms are available nearby. It offers a surprising amount of open space for an urban centre, giving city dogs room to stretch their legs safely.<\/p>\n
Before heading out, make sure to always pack a leash \u2014 just in case there aren\u2019t any off-leash zones \u2014 and of course water, waste bags, and treats. n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Summer is in full swing, and getting our four-legged friends out for proper exercise is a daily priority.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":147799,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[47965,675,40038,12312,47968,47966,25375,50,25325,47967,30089,7855],"class_list":["post-147798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-montreal","tag-cte-saint-luc","tag-dog","tag-dog-park","tag-dogs","tag-fountain","tag-hampstead","tag-human-animal-interaction","tag-montreal","tag-park","tag-terracotta","tag-trail","tag-west-island"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147798\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=147798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=147798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}