Ed Austin Regional Park Dog Park: Hours, Trails, Shade & Map
Ed Austin Regional Park has one of Jacksonville’s larger wooded off-leash dog areas, with separate sections for small and large dogs inside a 144-acre regional park in Arlington. The setting is different from a compact neighborhood dog run: the dog park is surrounded by trees, while the larger recreation complex adds paved walking and biking routes, restrooms, parking, picnic areas, sports facilities, and disc golf.
For other off-leash options around the city, see our guide to dog parks in Jacksonville, FL.
For other Jacksonville park settings, compare our Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park Dog Park guide and Forest Street Dog Park guide.
Table of Contents
Ed Austin Regional Park Dog Park at a Glance
| Official park address | 11751 McCormick Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225 |
|---|---|
| Area | Arlington / East Arlington |
| Dog park hours | Sunrise to sunset |
| Admission | No general dog-park admission fee listed |
| Off leash | Yes, inside the designated dog park |
| Small-dog area | Yes |
| Large-dog area | Yes |
| Shade | Wooded dog-park setting |
| Water | Water access is described at the dog park; City also lists a drinking fountain in the larger park |
| Parking | Yes |
| Restrooms | Yes, in the larger park |
| Trails | Walking, hiking, and bike routes in the larger park |
Open Ed Austin Regional Park in Google Maps
Where Is the Ed Austin Dog Park?
Ed Austin Regional Park is at 11751 McCormick Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225. The City of Jacksonville uses this address for the regional park and includes the dog park among its official amenities.
Search engines and older local listings may sometimes surface alternate addresses associated with the Monument Road side of the property. For navigation, the City’s current McCormick Road address is the safest reference point for the overall park.
The dog park is on the north side of the regional park. Because Ed Austin is a large multi-use property, allow a few extra minutes on a first visit to follow internal signs and locate the dog-park area.
See the official Ed Austin Regional Park page.
Ed Austin Dog Park Hours
Jacksonville lists its municipal dog parks as open from sunrise to sunset. Ed Austin Regional Park is included on that official dog-park list.
Because sunrise and sunset change throughout the year, there is no single fixed opening or closing time. Posted signs and temporary closure notices should take priority if maintenance, weather, or a special event affects access.
Is Ed Austin Dog Park Free?
There is no general admission fee listed for the Ed Austin dog park. Visit Jacksonville also describes the park as free to use.
That makes Ed Austin very different from membership-based facilities such as Paws Park in Jacksonville Beach, where annual registration and fees are required.
Separate Small- and Large-Dog Areas
Yes. Visit Jacksonville describes the wooded off-leash area as having separate sections for small and large dogs. Older JaxParks materials also identify separate large- and small-dog areas at the park.
Use the section that matches your dog and follow any size or behavior guidance posted at the entrance. If current signs differ from older descriptions, the posted park rules should control.
Is the Dog Park Fenced?
The dog park is a designated off-leash facility within Jacksonville’s municipal dog-park network. Older City materials describe it as a dedicated dog park with separate enclosed dog areas.
Keep your dog leashed while moving through the parking lot and the rest of Ed Austin Regional Park. Jacksonville’s general park rules require animals to remain leashed outside designated off-leash dog-park space.
Shade and Surface
Ed Austin’s biggest physical advantage is its wooded setting. Visit Jacksonville describes the off-leash area as a large, wooded dog park where dogs can run under trees rather than relying entirely on open sun-exposed turf.
That can make the park more comfortable during warmer months, but tree cover does not eliminate heat risk. Morning and late-afternoon visits are still preferable during hot Florida weather.
Because the dog park uses a natural outdoor surface, conditions can become damp or muddy after rain. Bringing a towel for paws and your vehicle is useful after wet weather.
Water and Seating
Visit Jacksonville notes benches and a water faucet at the dog park, while the City of Jacksonville lists a drinking fountain among the amenities for the larger regional park.
Outdoor water fixtures can occasionally be unavailable because of maintenance, so bringing backup drinking water is a sensible precaution, especially in summer.
Parking and Restrooms
The City lists car parking and restrooms at Ed Austin Regional Park. Because the park contains many facilities spread across a large site, park in the area closest to the dog park once you identify the internal access route.
Restrooms are amenities of the larger regional park rather than features inside the fenced dog area itself.
Walking and Biking Trails Around Ed Austin
Ed Austin is a good choice if you want to combine off-leash play with a longer outing. The City lists bike and hiking trails, and the park includes walking routes through the former golf-course property.
Visit Jacksonville also highlights a paved walking and biking loop. Once you leave the designated dog park, put your dog back on leash before using general park paths.
The former golf-course landscape gives the property long open corridors mixed with tree-lined areas, which makes the larger park useful for walking before or after the dog park.
Other Amenities at Ed Austin Regional Park
The dog park is only one part of the 144-acre recreation complex. Current City listings include:
- Baseball and soccer fields
- Basketball
- Bike racks and bike trail
- Community center
- Concession stand
- Disc golf
- Hiking trail
- Picnic shelters and tables
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Skate park
- Wheelchair-accessible features
The park’s 18-hole Fore Palms disc golf course is one of its best-known non-dog attractions, so expect other recreational users throughout the property.
Ed Austin Dog Park Rules
Jacksonville’s general park rules and dog-park policies apply. For a practical visit:
- Use off-leash privileges only inside the designated dog park.
- Keep your dog leashed elsewhere in Ed Austin Regional Park.
- Dispose of dog waste properly.
- Follow the posted small- and large-dog section rules.
- Supervise your dog and remove it if behavior becomes unsafe.
- Do not bring glass containers or alcoholic beverages into City parks.
- Follow any temporary closure or maintenance instructions.
Check Jacksonville’s current dog-park list and operating hours.
Who Is Ed Austin Dog Park Best For?
Ed Austin is especially useful for owners who want a free, wooded dog park in Jacksonville with separate small- and large-dog sections. It also works well for households that want additional recreation in the same trip, since the larger park includes walking routes, playground facilities, sports fields, disc golf, and restrooms.
If your priority is a simple neighborhood dog run close to downtown, another Jacksonville location may be more convenient. If your priority is shade, space, size separation, and a regional-park setting, Ed Austin is one of the stronger options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the address for Ed Austin Dog Park?
The City of Jacksonville lists Ed Austin Regional Park at 11751 McCormick Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225. Some map results may show another address associated with the large property, but the McCormick Road address is the City’s current official listing.
What are Ed Austin Dog Park’s hours?
Jacksonville’s municipal dog parks are open from sunrise to sunset.
Is Ed Austin Dog Park free?
Yes. No general dog-park admission fee is listed, and Visit Jacksonville describes the dog park as free to use.
Does Ed Austin have a small-dog area?
Yes. Current tourism information and older City materials describe separate areas for small and large dogs.
Is there water at Ed Austin Dog Park?
Visit Jacksonville describes a water faucet at the dog park, and the City lists a drinking fountain in the larger regional park. Bringing backup water is still recommended.
Can I walk my dog on Ed Austin’s trails?
Yes, but your dog should be leashed once you leave the designated off-leash dog park.
Before You Go
Ed Austin Regional Park works best when you treat it as more than a quick fenced-dog-run stop. The wooded dog park, size-separated areas, larger trail network, parking, and restrooms make it suitable for a longer visit.
Use the official McCormick Road address for navigation, plan around sunrise-to-sunset dog-park hours, and keep your dog leashed until you are inside the designated off-leash area.
