Dog Parks in Gainesville, FL: Off-Leash Parks, Hours & Maps
Gainesville has a good spread of public off-leash options rather than one dominant dog park. The City runs several neighborhood and regional parks with dog areas, while Squirrel Ridge—one of the most dog-focused facilities in the area—is an Alachua County park.
For owners who want clear size separation, Possum Creek and Abby Wambach Park are the strongest City choices. Squirrel Ridge also separates small and large dogs and adds dog-specific features such as water and a wash station.
Quick Answer: Dog Parks in Gainesville
| Dog park | Operator | Hours | Small-dog area | Useful features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Possum Creek Park | City of Gainesville | Dawn–dusk | Yes | Shade structures, water access, trails, restrooms |
| Abby Wambach Park | City of Gainesville | 6 a.m.–11:30 p.m. | Yes | Three dog areas, parking, pavilions, restrooms |
| Tom Petty Park | City of Gainesville | Dawn–dusk | Not specified | Walking trail, restrooms, mature shade |
| Haisley Lynch Park | City of Gainesville | Dawn–dusk | Not specified | Fenced dog park, paths, benches, lighting |
| Smokey Bear Park | City of Gainesville | Dawn–dusk | Not specified | Wooded trail, pavilion, restrooms |
| Squirrel Ridge Park | Alachua County | Check current County posting | Yes | Dog water, wash station, pools, agility features |
1. Possum Creek Park Dog Park
Address: 4009 NW 53rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32653
Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
Operator: City of Gainesville
Open Possum Creek Park in Google Maps
Possum Creek is the most complete City dog-park option if you want size separation, shade and water in the same place. Gainesville lists separate small- and large-dog areas, benches, shade structures and water access.
The 76-acre park also has restrooms, a jogging loop, nature trails, a playground, picnic pavilion, recreation fields and a skate park. That combination makes it easy to add a leashed walk before or after the dog park.
See the official Possum Creek Park page.
2. Abby Wambach Park Dog Parks
Address: 4501 SW 20th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32607
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily
Operator: City of Gainesville
Open Abby Wambach Park in Google Maps
Abby Wambach Park has the longest published hours in this group and one of the clearest dog-area layouts. The City says there are three dog-park areas, with separate space for large and small dogs.
The park also has parking, bike racks, pavilions, grills, restrooms, basketball, pickleball, sand volleyball and multipurpose fields. Several drinking fountains are located around the recreation fields.
Name note: this is the former Forest Park. Gainesville renamed it Abby Wambach Park in 2024, so older directories may still use the old name.
See the official Abby Wambach Park page.
3. Tom Petty Park Dog Park
Address: 501 NE 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601
Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
Operator: City of Gainesville
Open Tom Petty Park in Google Maps
Tom Petty Park is the northeast Gainesville option. Its off-leash dog park sits within a 22.5-acre park that also has a paved walking trail, playground, sports courts, picnic areas and mature trees.
The larger park completed a major renovation and officially reopened in June 2026, adding new pickleball courts, seating, shade canopies, a multiuse trail and new public restrooms. The City’s current page still lists the off-leash dog park, but it does not identify separate small- and large-dog sections.
See the official Tom Petty Park page.
4. Haisley Lynch Park Dog Park
Address: 450 S Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
Operator: City of Gainesville
Open Haisley Lynch Park in Google Maps
Haisley Lynch is a compact 1.4-acre park close to downtown, with a fenced off-leash dog park plus walking paths, benches, lighting and a playground. It is a simpler neighborhood stop than Possum Creek or Abby Wambach, which may be exactly what you want for a short daily outing.
See the official Haisley Lynch Park page.
5. Smokey Bear Park Dog Park
Address: 2300 NE 15th Street, Gainesville, FL 32609
Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
Operator: City of Gainesville
Open Smokey Bear Park in Google Maps
Smokey Bear combines an off-leash dog area with a wooded neighborhood park. A quarter-mile walking trail, pavilion, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, playground and benches round out the site.
See the official Smokey Bear Park page.
6. Squirrel Ridge Park Dog Park
Address: 1603 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32608
Operator: Alachua County
Open Squirrel Ridge Park in Google Maps
Squirrel Ridge has a Gainesville address but is operated by Alachua County. The County’s current page says the park is open and operational and confirms separate fenced sections for small and large dogs with water available for dogs.
County project materials also document dog pools, a wash station, agility equipment and shaded benches. One practical limitation remains: the current County page says the park has shelters but no restrooms.
See the official Squirrel Ridge Park page.
Which Parks Separate Small and Large Dogs?
Possum Creek, Abby Wambach Park and Squirrel Ridge all have current official confirmation of separate areas for small and large dogs. The City pages for Tom Petty, Haisley Lynch and Smokey Bear confirm off-leash dog areas but do not specify size separation.
Water, Shade and Walking Trails
Possum Creek is the strongest all-around City choice for those three features: the dog area lists shade structures and water, and the larger park has both a jogging loop and nature trails. Squirrel Ridge is stronger on dog-specific extras, while Tom Petty and Smokey Bear work well if a walking path and mature trees matter more than a detailed dog-park amenity list.
What About Greentree Dog Park?
Greentree Park is not yet an open dog park. The City currently lists a Greentree Dog Park project in design and permitting, with plans for a new dog park and sidewalks linking it to the existing parking, restroom, playground and pavilions.
Check Gainesville’s current Greentree Dog Park project status.
Basic Dog Park Rules
Rules vary by park operator, but the sensible baseline is to keep off-leash activity inside the designated dog area, leash your dog on surrounding trails and paths, clean up waste, use the correct size section when one is provided and follow the posted entrance rules for age, health and behavior.
Which Gainesville Dog Park Fits Your Plans?
For size separation, shade, water and trails together, Possum Creek is the most complete City option. Abby Wambach works particularly well for southwest Gainesville and has much later published hours. Squirrel Ridge is the choice with the strongest dog-specific amenity mix. Tom Petty, Haisley Lynch and Smokey Bear are useful neighborhood alternatives when location matters more than a long list of dog-park features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Park still a dog park in Gainesville?
Yes, but the park is now called Abby Wambach Park. Gainesville renamed Forest Park in 2024, and the park still has separate off-leash areas for small and large dogs.
Does Possum Creek have a small-dog area?
Yes. The City lists both small- and large-dog areas at Possum Creek, along with shade structures, benches and water access.
Is Squirrel Ridge a City of Gainesville dog park?
No. Squirrel Ridge has a Gainesville address but is operated by Alachua County.
Are Gainesville dog parks free?
The official City and County park pages reviewed for these locations do not list a general admission fee for the dog-park areas.
Is Greentree Dog Park open?
No. Gainesville currently lists Greentree Dog Park as a project in design and permitting, so it is not counted as an open dog park in this guide.
Before You Go
Check the current park page before driving across Gainesville, especially after severe weather or during a major park project. Also pay attention to the operator: City of Gainesville and Alachua County facilities do not necessarily use the same rules or hours.
Dog Parks Florida Editorial Team
The Dog Parks Florida Editorial Team creates practical guides to dog parks and off-leash recreation areas across Florida. Articles are researched using official city, county, park, and recreation resources, then reviewed for clarity and accuracy.
