McKinley Dog Park is the designated off-leash area near Pershing Road and Western Boulevard. Its advisory council describes a 12,000-square-foot space with a small-dog section and two human/pet water fountains. Use the dog-area address rather than the fieldhouse address to plan your arrival.
Plan your visit
- Destination: 2230 W. Pershing Road, Chicago, IL 60609.
- Hours: The parent park lists 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Dog-area notices take priority.
- DFA permit/tag: Required; $10 per dog through a participating veterinarian.
- Pack: Drinking water, a bowl, waste bags and a leash.
Find the dog park entrance
The official dog-area address is 2230 W. Pershing Road; the larger park and fieldhouse use 2210 W. Pershing Road. The advisory council places the enclosure at Pershing and Western. Look for the dog-area entrance signs and keep your dog leashed along the approach.
Get directions to the dog area. The 71.75-acre figure on McKinley Park’s page describes the entire park, not the dog run. Parking availability and any fees beside the enclosure are not confirmed, so check street and lot signs on arrival.
Small-dog space, fountains and supplies
The advisory council lists a small-dog area, two human/pet fountains and pickup bags. Choose the enclosure using the current signs, and bring your own water and waste bags in case supplies or fountains are unavailable.
The parent park’s water playground is closed for the 2026 season while it is rebuilt. That notice concerns the water playground, not a confirmed closure of the dog area. The lagoon, pool and other recreation facilities are separate from the off-leash enclosure.
Rules before you enter
Follow Chicago Park District DFA rules. Keep your dog supervised, pick up waste, and carry a leash for arrival and departure.
What parkgoers say
A visitor praised the dog park’s upkeep, separate small- and large-dog spaces and drinking fountain. The same visitor warned that the bag dispenser may be empty, which makes carrying your own bags a practical part of the visit.
Another parkgoer said their dog enjoys coming here. Before joining a group, watch the play already under way and decide whether it suits your dog; the enclosure layout alone cannot determine that. Read more parkgoer reviews on Google Maps.
More options and updates
Compare Larrabee Dog Park at Ward Park and Logan Square Dog Park, or browse Chicago dog parks and dog parks in Illinois.
Last researched August 30, 2026; no site visit was made. Check the official dog-area page and local park information before leaving. Report a correction to DogPark Near Me.
