Forest Street Dog Park Jacksonville: Hours, Fencing & Map

Forest Street Dog Park is one of Jacksonville’s newest public off-leash spaces. Opened in spring 2026 next to Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS), the park has separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, double-gated entries, parking, picnic tables, waste stations, new landscaping, and trees planted specifically to increase shade over time.

Its location near Brooklyn and Mixon Town makes it a useful central Jacksonville option. For a citywide comparison, see our guide to dog parks in Jacksonville, FL.

If you prefer a larger regional-park setting, compare our Ed Austin Regional Park Dog Park guide and Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park Dog Park guide.

Forest Street Dog Park at a Glance

Address	2020 Forest Street, Unit 1, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Area	Mixon Town / Brooklyn area
Hours	Sunrise to sundown
Opened	Spring 2026
Off leash	Yes, inside the designated dog park
Small-dog area	Yes
Large-dog area	Yes
Fencing	Yes, with double-gated entries
Parking	Yes
Picnic tables	Yes
Dog-waste stations	Yes
Shade	New trees planted to increase shade as landscaping matures
Drinking fountain	Not listed on the current City amenity page
Restrooms	Not listed on the current City amenity page

Open Forest Street Dog Park in Google Maps

Where Is Forest Street Dog Park?

Forest Street Dog Park is at 2020 Forest Street, Unit 1, Jacksonville, FL 32204, next to the City of Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services campus.

The park serves the Mixon Town/Brooklyn area and is also convenient to nearby central Jacksonville neighborhoods. Because the ACPS campus uses the same Forest Street address area, look for the dog-park signage and designated public parking rather than assuming the shelter entrance is the dog-park entrance.

See the official Forest Street Dog Park page.

Forest Street Dog Park Hours

The City lists Forest Street Dog Park as open from sunrise to sundown. Jacksonville’s citywide dog-park directory uses the similar standard of sunrise to sunset for municipal dog parks.

There is no single fixed opening or closing clock time because daylight changes through the year. Follow posted signs if maintenance, weather, or another City notice temporarily changes access.

A New Jacksonville Dog Park Opened in 2026

Forest Street Dog Park opened in spring 2026 after JaxParks and Animal Care and Protective Services converted an open lawn beside the shelter’s dog runs into a dedicated public dog park.

The City formally announced the new park in late June 2026, describing it at the time as Jacksonville’s seventh dog park. Jacksonville’s current dog-park directory now lists additional locations as the system continues to expand.

Read the City’s Forest Street Dog Park opening announcement.

Separate Small- and Large-Dog Areas

Yes. Forest Street has separate sections for large and small dogs.

The City specifically describes mirrored sally ports—double-gated entries—leading into both dog areas. Double-gate systems create a transition space between the outside of the park and the off-leash enclosure, helping reduce the chance of a dog slipping directly out when another visitor enters or leaves.

Use the section appropriate for your dog and follow any current size guidance posted at the gate.

Is Forest Street Dog Park Fenced?

Yes. Fencing was one of the core improvements included in the project. Both the large- and small-dog sections have fenced boundaries and double-gated entrances.

Dogs should remain leashed until safely inside the designated dog area. Once you leave the dog park, Jacksonville’s general park leash rules apply.

Shade: New Trees Are Part of the Design

Shade is an important part of the Forest Street project, but this is a new park and its landscaping is still maturing.

The City says JaxParks and ACPS worked with the Jacksonville Tree Commission to plant trees through the Tree Fund. The goals include increasing shade and biodiversity, reducing stormwater runoff, and making the space more comfortable and visually interesting.

Because the trees are relatively new, do not expect the same mature canopy you might find at an established wooded dog park. Shade coverage should change as the plantings grow.

Water: Bring Your Own

The City’s current Forest Street amenity page lists parking, the dog park, picnic tables, and trash barrels. The project description also confirms dog-waste receptacles, irrigation improvements, signage, fencing, and landscaping.

A public drinking fountain or dog-water station is not currently listed among the official amenities. Until the City publishes otherwise, bringing your own water and bowl is the safest plan, especially during warm weather.

Parking and Seating

Car parking is an officially listed amenity. Picnic tables are also provided, giving owners a place to sit while supervising dogs.

Because the park is directly next to an active Animal Care and Protective Services facility, follow parking signs and avoid blocking shelter operations, service access, or other designated areas.

Are There Restrooms?

Restrooms are not listed on the current City amenity page for Forest Street Dog Park.

The neighboring ACPS facility should not be assumed to function as a public restroom facility for dog-park visitors. Plan accordingly unless the City adds or posts restroom access specifically for the park.

Dog-Waste Stations and Trash

The Forest Street project includes dog-waste receptacles and a trash receptacle, and the City’s current amenity list also identifies trash barrels.

Visitors should pick up after their dogs and use the provided disposal facilities. Bringing spare waste bags is still useful in case a dispenser is temporarily empty.

What Is Next Door at ACPS?

Forest Street Dog Park is directly beside Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services at 2020 Forest Street. The location was intentionally chosen not only to create a neighborhood dog park but also to increase visibility for programs and events at ACPS.

The public dog park and shelter operations are separate uses of the campus. Follow posted signs and do not enter shelter-only or animal-service areas as part of a dog-park visit.

Forest Street Dog Park Rules

Jacksonville’s municipal park rules apply. For a straightforward visit:

• Keep your dog leashed until you are inside the appropriate fenced dog area.
• Use the correct large- or small-dog section.
• Supervise your dog at all times.
• Pick up dog waste and dispose of it properly.
• Remove your dog if its behavior becomes unsafe for other visitors or dogs.
• Do not bring glass containers or alcoholic beverages into City parks.
• Follow posted gate, maintenance, and closure notices.

Check Jacksonville’s current dog-park hours and locations.

Who Is Forest Street Dog Park Best For?

Forest Street is particularly useful for dog owners looking for a new fenced dog park near central Jacksonville with separate small- and large-dog areas. Its location is convenient for Brooklyn, Mixon Town, Riverside-area residents, and people traveling through the urban core.

Owners who prioritize mature tree shade, extensive walking trails, or restrooms may prefer a larger regional park. Forest Street’s advantages are its newer infrastructure, clear size separation, double-gated entries, central location, and straightforward off-leash layout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Go

Forest Street Dog Park is a useful addition to Jacksonville’s expanding off-leash network, especially for people who want a modern fenced layout with separate size areas near the city’s urban core.

Bring drinking water, plan around sunrise-to-sundown access, and remember that the newly planted trees are intended to improve shade over time rather than provide a mature canopy immediately.