Dog Park @ Allen Gardens

Being in the downtown core, this dog park is conveniently located, but that is also the reason it’s so small.
The double sets of gates give peace of mind because the thought of a dog getting loose and running into traffic on Carlton or Jarvis is a personal fear of mine.
Having a separate section for smaller dogs is a nice touch, and it has added security screening around the fence.
It can get muddy and being small it’s really noticeable when people don’t pick up after their dogs, so we try and pick up what we see even if it wasn’t our dogs — if everyone did that it would always be clean.
It’s nice having a dog park this close but I still would rather make the trip to Cherry Beach Leash free where the dogs can really run — and swim!

I don’t go there to socialize, I prefer to stay on the sidelines and make sure I’m supervising my dog for the most part. However, I do enjoy talking every once in a while especially when I recognize people and I think most people are the same here which is great.
My major concern is that it is an extremely sketchy area and lacks police/​security surveillance that it very much needs. I have witnessed multiple fights inside and outside of the dog park and even an attempted stabbing just by the botanical garden. I also had a really sketchy and awkward encounter with another dog owner recently where he was creepily trying to hit on me, asking where I lived etc… I don’t think I’m going to go there without my boyfriend or my friend for a long while.
It makes me upset when such creeps both in and outside ruin it for everyone else. Dog owners beware and bring a phone or friend, I’m serious.

Stopped taking my dog there bc of the many non neutered aggressive dogs. There is a LOT of dog poop that doesn’t get picked up. Too many dog walkers not paying attention to the dogs in their care.

So those dog statutes really creep me out. The dogs don’t seem to care much but there’s something about their googly eyes — they follow you around where ever you run.
There’s free 1 hour parking along the side streets surrounding the park. I generally use Pembroke or Seaton (unfortunately both are one ways, but you can’t have it all).
There’s a good mix of owners and walkers. Everyone’s pretty friendly which is nice for someone like me who spends the majority of their time with animals — I need me some human interaction. There are some colourful characters in the bunch for sure (human and dog-​wise).
I definitely prefer the small breed section because I mostly walk small pooches. I was also speaking to one of the walkers the other day (who will remain unnamed) who warned me that his dog has strong prey drive and has previously mauled a small dog. This dog was running around without a muzzle or anything! So sketch.

This dog park is the worst dog park in the city! not because of the dogs but because of the owners. The owners are trashy, ignorant, they are the biggest low lives I have ever met in my entire life. There are people who will stare at you and take pictures of you for their own satisfaction (Yes we have creepy stalkers in toronto) be careful when entering this dog park. There is only about 5 people that I absolutely love visiting at this dog park the rest are very very very very trashy!!.

I’ve been coming here since before it really opened (yea I was one of those who snuck in under the fence). My dog has a great time there. My biggest complaint is people who think the rules regarding dogs not castrated or in heat doesn’t apply to them because their dog is so well behaved. I have on numerous occasions actually had to explain that castrated means the same as not fixed, and had to get pretty graphic once or twice to make my point. If you come often, expect people to remember your dog’s name and maybe not yours. I’m Rufus’s Dad lol

As a resident of the neighborhood, I used to come here pretty frequently with my dog, but now I’d say its too big of a gamble to come here.
There are a lot of sad stories here of dogs getting mauled or killed by other dogs, dogs chasing (and eating) squirrels, and lots of tragic circumstances surrounding the owners of the dogs. I honestly stopped coming here because I would chat with some of the owners and then later they just wouldn’t end up coming to the park because of really sad personal reasons. I won’t get into what they are, but it’s a lot to handle if you’re just taking your dog to the park and getting to know the dog-​owner community.
The off-​leash area is a decent size, and I am glad that there is a small dogs section (some of the bigger dogs have not-​so-​responsible owners), but its not clean and really, not worth it to come on a daily basis. There are other places to walk the dog that have a lesser chance of my dog (or me) getting seriously injured.

We have a husky and love exploring new parks around the city. She is two and is a pretty keen runner and wrestler. This is a great little park for a few reasons, it has a smaller dog section so the overprotective parents of mini dogs don’t get nervous when they play with the bigger dogs and it is right next to the botanical gardens which means it is smack dab in the middle of pleasant surrounds while your pup plays.
Here is a top line of why this park is enjoyable…
1 — Big and small statues of dogs to signify the different parks, it’s like they are the stoney godlike idols of the playing pup community. Makes me laugh every time I think of it.
2 — Has a waterfountain (I’ve only been here in the winter though so not sure if it works.
3 — Close to Loblaws for grocery/​walking optimization
See ya there!

Day two of being reunited with my dog (and it feels so good), and today we hit this puppy playground.
The dog park at Allen Gardens is pretty great. It has a separate area for small dogs and large dogs, which is excellent for my George’s self esteem.
There are two giant statues in this dog park, one of a dog, one of a cat (or pointy eared strange looking terrier?) and some of the dogs that don’t carry Mensa cards tend to spend a lot of time barking at them. This brings hours of amusement to me. Every time.
Anyway, I’d give this park 5 stars, but the truth is there are some dog owners here that are just too chatty about dog things to a level that is beyond crazy… says the girl who used to tweet as her dog.
PEPPER POINTS: For the folks at this park being good with the scoopers. Way to bring the team effort, Toronto. Woof.

The water feature doesn’t work properly if at all. Some owners don’t follow the posted rules. It’s so dirty, I have to wash my dogs feet, if not a full bath, every time we get home. My dogs love it, I don’t.

This is one of the worst parks I have seen. the space is way too small for the amount of dogs that go. The gates are almost always broken, the water fountain hasn’t worked the last few summers, small dogs dont stay in the small area because the space between the bars is too big, and fencing that has been put in by locals to keep small dogs in has been taken out by the City.
I heard a dog was killed in an attack at the park
I ESPECIALLY hate the owners/​dog walkers who come in with their dogs and read books, type on their crackberry’s, or stand around not paying attention to their dogs.
Worst park!

Allen Gardens is a nice little dog park to take your dogs too if you live downtown. Unfortunately for me, I don’t – so I have visited this place only about 3−4x.
It’s not so much a dog park as a sandy, gritty area split into two for small dogs, and large dogs. It IS gated though, which is very safe – especially considering you are downtown. It is pretty unremarkable. There is no grass, no agility equipment, nothing but other dogs and owners. There isn’t much room for fetch either, so my cattle dog gets bored quite easily.
If you have a very social dog though, this would be a nice spot to visit.

What can I say — best dog park in the city!
The dogs are great, the ppl are fun, and it’s a hop skip and a jump away from my house :)
Every weekend Finn and I get up at 9am and truck over t the park for an hour of play with the other dogs and a coffee with my «park friends». Ok, I know that they say the park is for the dogs, but I get just as much enjoyment out of it as Finn does.
Monica F hit it on the head, a park like this does make it possible to have a dog in this city possible. As many of the other reviewers have mentioned, there are two fenced off sections — great for over protective little dog owners, even though in my mind dogs, regardless of size should be able to play together with out a «big dog park and a little dog park».
I do have a fairly big complaint about this park in the summer… the fountain has been broken for 2 summers now… and it’s REALLY annoying!
I will mention, the personalities at this park that you can run into are… special…so be ready to either fight for your dogs honour or laugh at the insanity of others.
PEOPLE…this is not NOT a park for kids… please do not bring your kids unless you have a dog…

Parks like this make owning dogs in this City possible.
My Stinky LOVES coming here and socializing with the other Pup’s.
With 2 separate fenced-​in dog parks (for big and small dogs) any breed can enjoy the luxury of running around without worrying their owner.
As Chris mentioned, the other dog owners are usually more than happy to chat and share info about their puppy experiences.
No parking, which sucks, but it’s in the heart of the City so that’s to be expected. You can occasionally find parking on the side streets surrounding the park.

It’s nice to have a fenced off area to let the pups off-​leash in downtown near my home. Generally the park is clean though the odd person doesn’t pick up after their pet. This park is segregated for small and large dogs (over 30lbs) which is nice since I have two 6 lb dogs that just spend the whole time hiding form the big guys otherwise.
The other dog owners are generally friendly and nice to chat with while the dogs are sniffing each others butts. It’s always nice to get some outside info about breeds and training that has worked or not worked for them.
Just look for the big green and blue dog statues and you can’t miss this location.