Peters Park Dog Park, formally the Joe Wex Dog Recreation Space, is a city-sanctioned off-leash run in Boston’s South End. The fenced area covers more than 13,000 square feet, including a separately enclosed section of about 3,000 square feet for small dogs. Peastone, mature trees, benches, water access and climbing rocks make it one of the neighborhood’s most established dog parks.
Plan your visit
- Official park address: 230 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118.
- Dog-run entrance: Along the Washington Street side of Peters Park near Bradford Street.
- Hours: The posted dog-run sign lists 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Follow any newer notice at the gate.
- Play areas: A main run plus a separate small-dog enclosure. Current regional park information lists the small-dog limit as 25 pounds.
- Surface: Peastone and concrete, with large rocks that dogs can climb.
- Water: A dog fountain or hose is normally available, but service can be seasonal. Bring backup water and a bowl.
- Parking: There is no dedicated dog-park lot. Most nearby spaces are regulated street parking, including resident-only areas.
- Cost: No dog-run admission fee is listed. Dogs must have current identification and vaccination tags.
Find the Peters Park dog-run entrance
The city uses 230 Shawmut Avenue as the address for the whole park, but the dog run occupies the southwest corner along Washington Street near Bradford Street. From Washington Street, look for the fenced peastone enclosure before heading toward the athletic courts, playground or baseball field.
Keep your dog leashed while crossing the larger park and until both entry gates are secure. The playground, ball field, courts and passive lawns are separate facilities and are not part of the off-leash enclosure.
What the dog park is like
The larger enclosure gives dogs room for social play and short fetch runs, while the smaller enclosure offers a quieter option for dogs within the posted size limit. Peastone covers most of the ground, so the park drains differently from grass but can become dusty or cling to wet paws.
Mature trees provide valuable shade, and curved metal benches wrap around some trunks. The Friends of Peters Park reports weekly professional cleaning, two newer garbage cans, bench mesh work and repairs to gate posts and fencing. Water fixtures and waste-bag supplies can still be temporarily unavailable, so arrive prepared.
What dog owners say
Visitors regularly praise the separate size areas, secure fencing, shade, seating, water access and welcoming neighborhood community. Many owners find the park large enough for play without losing sight of their dog, and the rocks give curious dogs another feature to explore.
The main cautions are crowding during popular morning and after-work periods, dust or dirty paws from the peastone, occasional bag shortages and uneven supervision when many dogs arrive together. Some owners report conflicts in the larger run. Watch the group before entering, stay close to your dog and leave if the play style is not a good match.
Posted rules before you enter
- Use a leash outside the dog recreation space and close both gates behind you.
- Bring no more than three dogs per person.
- Pick up after your dog and help keep the run clean.
- Remove prong collars before off-leash play.
- Restrain loud, repetitive barking and remove an aggressive dog immediately.
- Children under 10 are not permitted inside; children ages 10 to 14 must be closely supervised by a parent or guardian.
- Dogs must wear collars with current Boston license and vaccination tags plus owner contact information.
- Smoking and littering are prohibited.
Use the separately fenced small-dog area when your dog’s size or play style makes the larger run unsafe. The current gate signs govern, so read them before releasing your dog.
Before you go
Check the Friends of Peters Park dog-run page for maintenance updates and review Boston’s current dog and park rules. Report a broken gate, damaged fence, water problem or overflowing waste container through Boston 311. Serious incidents involving dogs or people should be reported to Boston Animal Care and Control at 617-635-5348.
