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

• Please review the 2025 Off-Leash Recreation Program Flyer here.
• 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:

    Off-Leash Dog Areas map 2-2025

• *Hunnewell Playground: Enter from Newton St., Brighton 
• *Cabot Park: at Newtonville Ave. & East Side Pkwy 
• Claflin Park: use Lowell Ave. gate 
• Newton Centre: closest entrances from Bowen St., Centre St., Homer St., or Tyler Ter.
• Cold Spring Park: use Duncklee St. or Plymouth Rd. entrances
• Braceland Playground: lower terrace, below baseball field and playground
• *Richard McGrath Park: enter from Washington St.---use designated parking in lot ONLY
• *Walker Park: park on Washington St., gates at east and west ends

*= Fully Fenced In

Please go to our Parks & Facility page for additional location information. Select "Off-Leash Area" in the Amenities drop down box to see a quick list.

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

 Off-Leash Area Criteria

The following criteria are used by the Off-Leash Area Working Group when evaluating green space:

1. ADA Compliance–For off-leash areas that require new construction, assure availability of handicapped access parking and an ADA compliant route into the park, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The goal is to have accessible off-leash areas to the maximum extent feasible.
2. Aesthetic Impact–Due consideration should be given to the visual impact that an off-leash area might have on the character of a park (e.g., fences, signs, etc.).
3. Conservation Impact–Due consideration should be given to the impact that an off-leash area might have on wildlife, habitats, and plants in the proposed and surrounding areas, with special consideration given to possible negative impact on environmentally sensitive areas.
4. Consideration of Abutters–Due consideration should be given to the potential impact on abutters to the off-leash site, for things like noise, parking, waste removal, and access to the park.
5. Cost–Due consideration should be given to the amount of funding (if any) that might be needed or available to create an off-leash area.
6. Current Off-Leash Status–The question of whether a site is already being used for off-leash activity should be noted. If it is not already being used, potential barriers to the creation of off-leash space should be identified and considered. If it is already being used, any problems related to current off-leash activity should be identified and the potential impact of increased usage should be determined.
7. Distribution of Parks–Due consideration should be given to the distribution of off-leash areas throughout the city, so that their impact on any single neighborhood can be mitigated and relatively close access to off-leash areas can be afforded to those who wish to use them.
8. Enforcement-Due consideration should be given to whether a proposed off-leash area will facilitate the Newton Animal Control in their responsibilities to oversee both off-leash and non-off-leash areas, and whether a proposed site would create any special enforcement issues.
9. Impact on Other Usage–Due consideration should be given to the potential impact that an off-leash area might have on other activities in adjacent or shared space.
10. Park Access–Due consideration should be given as to how dog owners will reach the off-leash area and how maintenance (such as emptying waste receptacles) will be conducted.
11. Parking–Consideration must be given to the availability of adequate and appropriate parking, based on anticipated usage.
12. Site Characteristics–Due consideration should be given to the topography of a potential site. For example, drainage, slope, the absence of ticks, the presence of trees or bushes as a natural buffer or for shade, etc., should be considered. Where fencing is proposed, the presence of an existing fence is a plus.
13. Size–An off-leash area should be of adequate size for its intended use.