Grape Street Dog Park is the large off-leash lawn at Grape and 28th streets on Balboa Park’s East Mesa. The park was renamed Officer Tonahill and Officer Ruopp Memorial Park in 2024, but the City and most visitors still use Grape Street Dog Park when giving directions. The roughly five-acre play area has mature trees, open lawns and partial boundary fencing rather than a fully enclosed dog run.
Plan your visit
- Location: Grape Street at 28th Street, San Diego, CA 92102.
- Off-leash hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Layout: Large grass-and-dirt field with mature trees and open northern and southern edges.
- Dog areas: Dogs of all sizes share the same space; there is no separate small-dog enclosure.
- Bring: A leash, waste bags and backup drinking water.
Find the dog park entrance
Use the named Grape Street Dog Park destination and approach from 28th Street at Grape Street. The City’s memorial-renaming materials identify parking along 28th Street. Keep your dog leashed from the car to the signed off-leash area and whenever you are outside posted off-leash hours.
Five acres of lawn, trees and open edges
This is one of San Diego’s roomier neighborhood off-leash spaces. Mature eucalyptus and other trees create useful shade, while the broad field gives dogs space to run and people room to walk a loop rather than stand in one place. Heavy use and dry weather can leave some sections grassy and others dusty or bare.
The park is not escape-proof. Fencing runs along parts of the eastern and western sides, but the northern and southern edges are open. Dogs can move toward surrounding parkland or the parking area, so reliable recall and close supervision matter. A fully fenced park may suit dogs that tend to roam.
Water, seating and restrooms
Visitors regularly mention dog drinking fountains, benches or picnic tables and a restroom in the wider park. A City maintenance record shows a reported dog-fountain outage was corrected in 2025, but any fountain can be temporarily unavailable. Bring a filled bottle and bowl rather than depending on the fixture.
Shade is strongest around the tree groves. Check the ground for mud after rain, dust during dry periods and ticks or foxtails before heading home.
Rules for a shared neighborhood park
Off-leash use is limited to the posted schedule. Leash your dog at all other times, maintain control, remove waste and respect nearby residents and other park users. The Balboa Park rules prohibit glass containers and damage to park vegetation. Follow posted notices if maintenance or an event changes access.
Because all sizes mingle in one broad space, watch the active group before releasing a small, older or less-confident dog. Move to a quieter edge or leave if the play style is not a good match.
What parkgoers say
Parkgoers frequently praise the size, mature shade trees, neighborhood views and ability to walk while dogs play. Reviews also describe a friendly regular community, nearby parking and useful water and restroom access.
The most common cautions are the open boundary, busy periods and changing turf conditions. Some visitors find the mix of grass and compacted dirt practical, while others describe dust or mud depending on the season. Owners with unreliable recall often prefer a fully fenced alternative.
More options and updates
Review the current Balboa Park rules and posted off-leash hours before visiting. The City also lists a Grape Street Dog Park improvements project, so check for temporary construction changes.
Compare other listings in our San Diego dog park directory or browse dog parks in California. Last researched August 31, 2026; no site visit was made. To flag a correction, contact DogPark Near Me.
