The Off-Leash Recreation Program has been designed to meet the needs of the City’s dog owners who want off-leash time while sharing park space with other park users. Sharing our parks helps us maximize the use and enjoyment we all receive from our open spaces.

Dogs – On a leash – are allowed anywhere in any of our parks, except for inside tot lots and Little League fields. All dog owners are required to pick up their pet’s waste and dispose of it properly in the blue trash barrels.

Before You Go to the Park

• License your dog and make sure vaccinations are current. Put license and identification on dog’s collar.
• Resident/Non-resident off-leash medallion must be worn by the dog.
• Professional Dog Walker medallion must be worn by the person responsible for the off-leash dogs . ID must be available upon request. One medallion allows three dogs off-leash at a time. One medallion per person.
• Make sure your dog is under voice control (dog responds to and obeys your verbal commands).
• Find a park near you with off-leash hours.
• Bring along your dog’s leash and bags for waste.

At the Park

• Keep your dog on-leash until you are in the designated off-leash area.
• Keep your leash on hand at all times.
• Check for “Park Closed” signs, wet fields, crews working in the park, or permitted activities, all of which mean off-leash hours are suspended.
• Pick up after your dog and encourage others to do the same.
• Keep your dog in sight and under voice control at all times.
• Be mindful of your dog. Many people do not like unfamiliar dogs approaching them, and only you know whether your dog is friendly to other people or dogs.
• Enjoy some off-leash fun with your dog!

Locations:

• Braceland Playground: Chestnut St. [bottom tier]
• * Cabot Park: Newtonville Ave. [corner entrance]
• Claflin Playground: Lowell Ave. [gate entrance]
• * Hunnewell Park: Grasmere St. [off Hunnewell Ave. parallel to MA Pike]
• * McGrath Park: Washington St. [gate entrance]
• Newton Centre: Bowen St./Centre St./Homer St./Tyler Ter. [entrance]
• Old Cold Spring Park: Beacon St. [entrance and follow trail]
  *= Fully Fenced In

Please go to our Parks & Facility page for additional location information

Once you land on the Parks & Facility page, in the "All Amenities" drop down box,  select "off-leash area".  

Permits

Permits may be obtained at Newton City Hall Clerks Office:

Newton City Hall Clerks Office
City Hall - First Floor
1000 Commonwealth Ave, 02459
617-796-1200

 Click here for Clerk's office Web page 

Office Hours

• Monday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
• Tuesday, 8:30am - 8:00pm
• Wednesday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Please bring with you:

• Proof of Dog License
• Proof of Current Rabies Certificate