Dog Parks in Jacksonville, FL: Off-Leash Areas, Hours & Amenities
Jacksonville’s public dog parks are spread across a very large city, so the best choice usually comes down to location and what you want around the dog area. Some are simple neighborhood stops; others sit inside regional parks with restrooms, trails, playgrounds and other facilities.
The City of Jacksonville currently lists eight municipal dog parks, all on a sunrise-to-sunset schedule. Jacksonville Beach, which is a separate city, also operates Paws Park as a membership-based off-leash option near the coast.
Quick Answer: Jacksonville Dog Parks
The eight City of Jacksonville dog parks are Alberts Field, Springfield Playground, Ed Austin Regional Park, Forest Street Dog Park, John Gorrie Park/Riverside Park, Leonard Abess Park, Oceanway Dog Park and Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park. Outside designated dog parks, Jacksonville’s general park rules require dogs to stay leashed.
| Dog park | Area | Parking | Water | Separate dog areas | Trails nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberts Field | Mandarin | Yes | Drinking fountain | Not specified by the City | Not listed |
| Ed Austin Regional Park | Arlington | Yes | Drinking fountain | Yes — small and large dogs | Yes |
| Forest Street Dog Park | Mixon Town/Brooklyn | Yes | Not listed | Yes — small and large dogs | Not listed |
| Springfield Playground | Springfield | Yes | Not listed | Not specified by the City | Hiking trail |
| John Gorrie Dog Park | Riverside | Yes, at Riverside Park | Not listed | Not specified by the City | Neighborhood park setting |
| Leonard Abess Park | East Jacksonville | Yes | Drinking fountain | Not specified by the City | Paved trails |
| Oceanway Dog Park | North Jacksonville | Yes | Drinking fountain | Not specified by the City | Not listed |
| Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park | Southwest Jacksonville | Yes | Drinking fountain | Yes — small and large dogs | Hiking and biking trails |
| Paws Park | Jacksonville Beach | At Wingate Park | Watering bowls | Yes — small and large dogs | Walking space within park |
Where a feature is marked “not listed” or “not specified,” the current official park page does not clearly confirm it. Posted conditions at the park should take priority.
1. Alberts Field Dog Park
Address: 12073 Brady Road, Jacksonville, FL 32223
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Area: Mandarin
Open Alberts Field in Google Maps
Alberts Field is the newest dog-park addition in Mandarin. The City says the dog park opened in spring 2026 at the long-established recreation complex near Brady and Orange Picker roads.
The surrounding park has a useful set of basics for a longer visit: parking, restrooms, benches, a drinking fountain, picnic shelters, playground space, grills and pickleball. The City does not currently spell out whether the dog area itself is divided by dog size, so that is one detail to check on site.
See the official Alberts Field page.
2. Ed Austin Regional Park Dog Park
Address: 11751 McCormick Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Area: Arlington
Open Ed Austin Regional Park in Google Maps
Ed Austin is one of the more spacious choices in Jacksonville. Visit Jacksonville describes the off-leash area as wooded, with separate sections for small and large dogs. It sits on the north side of a 144-acre regional park rather than in a stand-alone dog run.
The larger park adds parking, a drinking fountain, restrooms, walking and biking routes, sports fields, disc golf, picnic areas and a playground. That makes Ed Austin a practical choice if the dog park is only one part of your outing. Dogs need to be back on leash once you leave the designated off-leash area.
See the official Ed Austin Regional Park page.
3. Forest Street Dog Park
Address: 2020 Forest Street, Unit 1, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Hours: Sunrise to sundown
Area: Mixon Town/Brooklyn
Open Forest Street Dog Park in Google Maps
Forest Street opened in spring 2026 beside Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services. Its layout is straightforward: separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, each with a double-gated entry.
The City also lists parking, picnic tables, dog-waste receptacles, irrigation and landscaping improvements. New trees were planted through Jacksonville’s Tree Fund to build more shade into the site over time, but this is still a young park, so the canopy will not feel as mature as a wooded regional park.
See the official Forest Street Dog Park page.
4. Springfield Playground Dog Park
Address: 949 Hubbard Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Area: Springfield, near downtown
Open Springfield Playground in Google Maps
Springfield Playground puts a dog park close to downtown and the historic Springfield neighborhood. The City’s specialty-parks page describes the dog park as a fenced 2.87-acre space, while the broader playground property also has parking, benches, bike racks, a hiking trail, a playground, a multipurpose field and security lighting.
This is a neighborhood-oriented option rather than a large regional destination. The City does not currently list a drinking fountain or separate small-dog section on the Springfield Playground amenity page.
See the official Springfield Playground page.
5. John Gorrie Dog Park at Riverside Park
Dog park listing: 631–745 College Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Area: Riverside / Five Points
Open John Gorrie Dog Park in Google Maps
John Gorrie is the City-listed off-leash option for Riverside. The dog-park directory uses the College Street address range, while the broader Riverside Park page is listed at 753 Park Street. Riverside Park itself has parking, benches, picnic tables, a playground and other neighborhood-park amenities.
The City publishes fewer dog-specific details here than it does for newer facilities such as Forest Street. If water availability or a separate small-dog area is important to you, check the current setup when you arrive rather than assuming those features are present.
See Jacksonville’s official dog-park list.
6. Leonard Abess Park Dog Park
Address: 12743 Leonard Abess Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Open Leonard Abess Park in Google Maps
Leonard Abess Park added its dog park in September 2020. The surrounding park is well equipped for a longer stop, with parking, benches, a drinking fountain, restrooms, picnic shelters, playground space, sports facilities and a splash pad.
The City also mentions paved trails around the park. It does not currently specify separate small- and large-dog sections on the park page, so that feature is best treated as unconfirmed.
See the official Leonard Abess Park page.
7. Oceanway Dog Park
Dog park address: 12201 Sago Avenue W., Jacksonville, FL 32218
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Area: North Jacksonville / Oceanway
Open Oceanway Dog Park in Google Maps
Oceanway Dog Park serves the north side of Jacksonville and sits within the larger Oceanway community-center and park complex. The City lists parking, benches, bike racks, a drinking fountain, restrooms, picnic shelters, a playground and security lighting at the broader property.
There are two official addresses worth knowing. Jacksonville’s dog-park directory lists 12201 Sago Avenue W., while the main Oceanway Community Center, Park and Pool page uses 12215 Sago Avenue. For navigation to the dog park, the dedicated dog-park address is the better starting point.
See the official Oceanway park page.
8. Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park Dog Park
Address: 7000 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32244
Hours: Sunrise to sunset for the dog park; the broader park is listed for daylight hours
Area: Southwest Jacksonville / Ortega
Open Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park in Google Maps
Tillie K. Fowler is the obvious choice when you want a dog park and a trail outing in the same place. Visit Jacksonville confirms separate areas for small and large dogs, and the City lists hiking and biking trails, parking, drinking fountains, restrooms, picnic facilities, a playground, a scenic overlook and a nature center across the larger park.
The off-leash area is only one part of this large regional park. Dogs can use the trails, but they need to be leashed once you leave the designated dog park.
See the official Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park page.
Nearby: Paws Park in Jacksonville Beach
Address: 468 Penman Road S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Hours: 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Access: Annual membership required
Open Paws Park in Google Maps
Paws Park is run by the separate City of Jacksonville Beach, not Jacksonville. It has fenced small- and large-dog areas, watering bowls and benches, and it uses a 30-pound cutoff between the two dog sections.
The current City materials list annual totals of $55 for the first dog in the small-dog park and $85 for the first dog in the large-dog park, with additional dogs at $27 each. Membership paperwork also requires current veterinary records and proof of spay or neuter status.
See the official Paws Park facility page.
What About Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park?
Hanna Park is dog-friendly, but it is not a regular off-leash dog park. Pets are allowed in designated outdoor areas and must be attended, well behaved and kept on a leash no longer than eight feet.
It can still work well for a leashed day out because the park has beach access, hiking and biking trails, camping and other outdoor recreation. An entrance fee applies, and pets are restricted from some facilities and protected areas.
Review the current Hanna Park rules before visiting.
Jacksonville Dog Park Hours and Basic Rules
Jacksonville’s municipal dog parks are listed as open from sunrise to sunset. General JaxParks rules require animals to be leashed in city parks, so off-leash time should stay inside a designated dog park.
- Use the designated dog-park area for off-leash activity.
- Leash your dog elsewhere in the park.
- Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.
- Follow any more specific rules posted at the dog-park entrance.
- Expect temporary closures when maintenance or operating conditions require them.
- Glass containers and alcoholic beverages are prohibited under general Jacksonville park rules.
Which Jacksonville Dog Park Fits Your Plans?
For a clearly documented small/large-dog split, look first at Ed Austin, Forest Street or Tillie K. Fowler. Paws Park also separates dogs by size, but it is in Jacksonville Beach and requires membership.
If trails matter, Ed Austin and Tillie K. Fowler give you the strongest combination of off-leash space and a larger park to explore afterward. Leonard Abess and Oceanway are practical when you want restrooms and a drinking fountain close by. For central neighborhoods, John Gorrie serves Riverside/Five Points, while Springfield Playground is convenient to Springfield and downtown. Alberts Field is the newest south-side option in Mandarin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Jacksonville dog parks free?
The City of Jacksonville does not list a general admission fee for its eight municipal dog parks. Paws Park in Jacksonville Beach is different because it requires an annual membership.
What time do Jacksonville dog parks open?
Jacksonville lists its municipal dog parks as open from sunrise to sunset. Individual facilities can close temporarily for maintenance or other operating reasons, so posted signs take priority.
Which Jacksonville dog parks have separate small-dog areas?
Current sources confirm separate small- and large-dog areas at Ed Austin Regional Park, Forest Street Dog Park, and Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park. Paws Park in Jacksonville Beach also separates dogs by size.
Can dogs be off leash in regular Jacksonville parks?
Generally, no. Jacksonville park rules require animals to be leashed outside designated off-leash dog parks. Always follow the signs posted at the individual park.
Before You Go
Jacksonville’s dog-park map changed in 2026 with the addition of Alberts Field and Forest Street. Before driving across town, it is worth checking the relevant park page for a closure or facility update, then using the map link in this guide for directions.
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.
