Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park Dog Park: Trails, Hours & Map
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park combines a designated off-leash dog park with one of Jacksonville’s larger natural recreation areas. The City-operated park covers roughly 500 acres on the Westside near the Ortega River and includes hiking and biking trails, a nature center, observation tower, restrooms, parking, picnic areas, a playground, and a kayak launch.
The dog park has separate areas for small and large dogs, while the surrounding trails can be used with dogs on leash. For more Jacksonville options, see our guide to dog parks in Jacksonville, FL.
You can also compare this trail-focused regional park with our Ed Austin Regional Park Dog Park guide and the newer Forest Street Dog Park guide.
Table of Contents
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park Dog Park at a Glance
| Address | 7000 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32244 |
|---|---|
| Area | Jacksonville Westside / Ortega area |
| Park hours | Daylight hours |
| Dog park hours | Sunrise to sunset |
| Admission | No general admission fee listed; Visit Jacksonville describes the park as free |
| Off leash | Yes, inside the designated dog park |
| Small-dog area | Yes |
| Large-dog area | Yes |
| Parking | Yes |
| Drinking fountain | Yes, in the larger park |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Trails | Hiking and biking trails |
| Other features | Nature center, observation tower, playground, picnic shelters, nonmotorized launch |
Open Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park in Google Maps
Where Is Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park?
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is at 7000 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32244, across from Naval Air Station Jacksonville on the city’s Westside.
The park is easy to miss if you are expecting a small neighborhood dog park. It is a large regional property with a long internal road, natural areas, trailheads, recreation facilities, and the dog park located within the broader complex.
Visit Jacksonville recommends parking near the playground when heading to the dog park, then walking over to the off-leash area.
See the official Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park page.
Tillie K. Fowler Dog Park Hours
The City lists Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park as open during daylight hours. Jacksonville’s official dog-park directory lists municipal dog parks, including Tillie K. Fowler, as open from sunrise to sunset.
Because those times change throughout the year, plan your visit around available daylight rather than a fixed closing time.
Is the Dog Park Free?
The City does not list a general admission charge for the dog park. Visit Jacksonville describes Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park as free to enter and notes free parking.
That makes it a practical option for a longer outing that combines off-leash time with trails, nature features, or a picnic.
Separate Small- and Large-Dog Areas
Yes. Visit Jacksonville’s park itinerary confirms that Tillie K. Fowler has two dog-park areas: one for small dogs and one for large dogs.
Use the appropriate section and follow the current signs at the entrance. If posted size guidance differs from older park descriptions, the on-site rules should take priority.
Is Tillie K. Fowler Dog Park Fenced?
The dog park is a designated off-leash area within Jacksonville’s municipal dog-park system. Dogs should be off leash only within the dog-park enclosure and leashed elsewhere in the regional park.
This distinction matters at Tillie K. Fowler because many visitors move directly from the dog park to the hiking trails. Put the leash back on before leaving the designated dog area.
Shade and Florida Heat
Tillie K. Fowler is one of Jacksonville’s most heavily wooded regional parks. The trails pass through pine forest, wetlands, and other natural habitat, and Visit Jacksonville specifically describes substantial shade along the Tower Trail.
The City does not publish a current dog-park-specific shade inventory, so do not assume every part of the fenced dog area is shaded throughout the day. Bring water and plan around heat, especially in summer.
Water, Restrooms and Parking
The City’s current amenity list includes:
- Car parking
- Drinking fountain
- Restrooms
- Benches
- Picnic shelters and tables
- Trash barrels
- Wheelchair-accessible features
These are amenities of the larger regional park. Availability immediately inside the dog-park enclosure can vary, so carrying backup drinking water is still a good idea.
Walking and Hiking With Your Dog
Tillie K. Fowler is especially useful for dog owners who want both off-leash play and a leashed hike in the same visit.
Two well-known routes are:
- Tower Trail: about 1.2 miles round trip, leading to the observation tower.
- Island Trail: about 2.25 miles round trip through the park’s natural landscape.
Visit Jacksonville states that dogs are allowed on the trails, but they must be on leash. Trail surfaces can include concrete, boardwalk, sand, pine needles, and natural ground.
See Visit Jacksonville’s Tillie Fowler park and trail itinerary.
The Observation Tower and Nature Center
The regional park’s observation tower is a major reason people visit beyond the dog park. The Tower Trail leads toward elevated views over surrounding wetlands and the Ortega River area.
The City also operates a nature center near the back of the park. Current City information lists nature-center hours as Friday through Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., but notes that hours can change depending on staff availability.
If the nature center is an important part of your trip, the City recommends calling ahead.
Other Amenities at Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
Current City listings include:
- Bike trail
- Hiking trail
- Dog park
- Nature/community center
- Scenic overlook
- Nonmotorized water launch
- Playground
- Picnic shelters and grills
- Bike racks
- Security lighting
The playground was replaced in fall 2024, making the surrounding recreation area a more current option for families combining different activities in one visit.
Tillie K. Fowler Dog Park Rules
Jacksonville’s general park and dog-park rules apply. For a straightforward visit:
- Keep your dog leashed until you are inside the designated off-leash dog park.
- Leash your dog again before using hiking or biking trails.
- Use the correct small- or large-dog section.
- Dispose of dog waste properly.
- Keep your dog under control and supervise it at all times.
- Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation.
- Do not bring glass containers or alcoholic beverages into City parks.
- Follow temporary closures or posted maintenance instructions.
Check Jacksonville’s current dog-park hours and locations.
Who Is Tillie K. Fowler Dog Park Best For?
Tillie K. Fowler is a strong fit for people who want a Jacksonville dog park with hiking trails nearby. The separate small- and large-dog sections give dogs off-leash time, while the regional park adds enough trails and nature features to turn the visit into a longer outdoor trip.
If you only want a quick fenced run and do not plan to walk or explore, a smaller neighborhood dog park may be more convenient. If you want trails, wooded surroundings, restrooms, parking, and a broader park experience, Tillie K. Fowler stands out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park’s hours?
The City lists the park as open during daylight hours, while Jacksonville’s dog-park directory lists dog parks as open from sunrise to sunset.
Is Tillie K. Fowler Dog Park free?
No general admission fee is listed. Visit Jacksonville describes the regional park and parking as free.
Does Tillie K. Fowler have separate small- and large-dog areas?
Yes. Visit Jacksonville’s current park itinerary identifies one dog area for small dogs and another for large dogs.
Can I hike with my dog at Tillie K. Fowler?
Yes. Dogs can use the park’s trails on leash. Off-leash activity should stay inside the designated dog park.
Are there restrooms at Tillie K. Fowler?
Yes. The City lists restrooms among the regional park amenities.
Does the park have water?
The City lists a drinking fountain in the larger park. Bring backup water for your dog in case a fountain is unavailable or is not immediately adjacent to the dog park.
Before You Go
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is more than an off-leash stop. Its strongest advantage is the ability to combine a size-separated dog park with wooded hiking trails, restrooms, parking, picnic space, and nature features in one location.
Plan for daylight-hour access, leash your dog whenever you leave the designated dog park, and use the Google Maps link above to navigate to the official Roosevelt Boulevard entrance.
