Lakewood Dog Park is a free, fenced off-leash area beside Cleveland Metroparks’ Rocky River Reservation. The roughly seven-tenths-acre park has a main play area, a separate enclosure for dogs under 25 pounds, benches, shelters, waste supplies and a seasonal drinking fountain.
Plan your visit
- Address: 1699 Valley Parkway, Lakewood, OH 44107.
- Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the gates are locked outside those hours.
- Cost: The park is free and open to visitors, not only Lakewood residents.
- Small dogs: Dogs under 25 pounds may use the separate small-dog area.
- Water: The drinking fountain is seasonal and is shut off during cold weather. Bring backup water and a bowl.
- Surface: Most of the enclosure has light gravel, with only a limited grassy area.
Find the dog park entrance
The dog park is on the east side of Valley Parkway, south of Emerald Necklace Marina and next to Lakewood’s wastewater treatment plant. Use designated spaces only. Adjacent spaces east of the orange barrels are reserved for City employees until after 5 p.m. on weekdays, and parking is prohibited along Valley Parkway and the treatment-plant entrance drive.
If the adjacent spaces are full, use a legal Cleveland Metroparks lot and walk in on the park trails. Keep your dog leashed until you are through the double gates.
Open directions to Lakewood Dog Park.
What park goers say
Park goers often mention the ample benches, water bowls, waste bags, double-gated entrances and friendly social atmosphere. The gravel surface receives mixed reactions: many people appreciate that it limits mud after rain, while others find it dusty or uncomfortable for sensitive paws.
Recurring cautions include limited grass and shade, seasonal water shutoffs, crowded periods and occasional conflicts between dogs. Check your dog’s paws, bring water and waste bags, and leave promptly if another dog’s behavior makes the visit feel unsafe.
Rules before you enter
Keep dogs leashed outside the enclosure and carry one leash per dog. An adult must accompany dogs at all times, with a limit of three dogs per handler. Dogs must have current licenses, vaccinations and ID tags attached to their collars.
Dogs must be at least four months old. Pregnant dogs and dogs in heat are prohibited. Food, dog treats, toys, baby equipment, sports equipment and weapons are not allowed. Children under seven may not enter; ages seven through seventeen require close supervision by a parent or guardian.
Remain inside with your dog, maintain sight and control, clean up all waste and remove a dog immediately at the first sign of aggression or unruly behavior.
Before you go
Check the current hours and rules, parking and location guidance, and the City Animal Control page. Compare posted conditions with recent reports from BringFido and DogPack.
Last researched September 1, 2026. Water service, parking availability and surface conditions can change.