We’ve always been a cat family, but we certainly appreciate a good dog! Plus, we know how much our clients who own dogs care for their friendly pups.
Like cats, dogs become honorary members of the family, and they often manage to influence home purchasing decisions, even if that influence is ever so slight.
For example, if you have three big dogs, you might not want to live in a townhouse without a yard or easy access to a local park. After all, those dogs need their exercise so they don’t chew up your furniture!
Having a good dog park nearby can make a world of difference for dog owners, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the best dog parks in Pittsburgh.
The Best Pittsburgh Dog Parks
Here are some of the best off-leash dog parks in Pittsburgh for your four-legged family member:
Olympia Park
You’ll find a wide variety of dog sizes at the Olympia Park dog park! As one of the larger off-leash dog parks in Pittsburgh, your dog will have plenty of room to run around at Olympia Park, and a few large trees offer shade to tired dogs.
Another perk: You’ll find water bowls and balls left behind from previous visitors, so you can keep your dog hydrated—and you don’t have to go searching for toys.
Depending on the season, you might want to check if the park is open before leaving your house. This park occasionally gets resodded to avoid getting too muddy from all of the running dogs.
Address: The intersection of Olympia Street and Virginia Avenue on Mount Washington
Highland Park
This is another large dog park with a nice benefit: It has two fenced-off areas to cater to both large dogs and small dogs. While this is generally a nice park, note that it can occasionally get rough here—so we recommend visiting only if you know your dog is well-behaved and listens to commands off-leash.
Finally, the Highland Park dog park is heavily trafficked, so it does get muddy. Be prepared for a messy pup when it’s time to leave!
Address: On Lake Drive in Highland Park, across from the volleyball courts
Aspinwall Recreational Area
The Aspinwall Recreational Area is typically reserved for baseball, basketball, and its playground area. But during the winter months, the enormous fenced-in park becomes available to dogs of all sizes—and they have free reign of the baseball diamonds, concession areas, and playground. There’s plenty of space to run and play, and it tends to have fewer visitors compared to other Pittsburgh dog parks, so this is a great place to let your dog run for a long time.
But be aware: With so much equipment and architecture in the park, you could lose sight of your dogs if they like to run away! It may be best to work on your verbal commands before visiting this park.
Address: Field Avenue, Aspinwall, PA 15215
South Side Dog Park
Although the South Side Dog Park doesn’t have a lot of grass (much of it is covered in wood chips and gravel), the park is generally praised for its friendly dog owners and well-behaved dogs. If your dog isn’t acquainted with such rough terrain, you may want to limit their time in the park until their feet toughen up!
Address: 425 Cinema Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Frick Park Off-Lease Exercise Area
Frick Park offers one of Pittsburgh’s best off-leash dog parks in Pittsburgh, but there is a small catch: It’s in the middle of Frick Park! If you’d like to visit, you’ll need to park and walk your dog well into the park to get there.
But the journey is worth it. Frick Park provides multiple fenced-off areas, porta-potties for dog owners, and trash cans for waste.
Address: Frick Park - 1981 Beechwood Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Note: Frick Park is located near Squirrel Hill, Edgewood, and Point Breeze. To learn more about these Pittsburgh neighborhoods, visit our neighborhoods page.
Lawrenceville - Bernard Dog Run
Tucked away between the railroad tracks and Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Lawrenceville, you’ll find Bernard Dog Run. Although there’s no grass in this park for your dog to play in, there’s plenty of space to run around and have fun.
Address: Three Rivers Heritage Trail, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Penn Hills Dog Park
Open from April 1 through November 30, the Penn Hills Dog Park is a good-sized park with lots of level ground so you always have a good sightline on your pet. The park is stocked with complimentary poo bags, so you’re covered if you forget yours at home!
The Penn Hills dog park is a great off-leash option for folks who live outside of the city limits, as it’s easy to reach from both interstate 376 and interstate 76.
Address: 760 Jefferson Road, Penn Hills, PA 15235
Riverview Park Dog Park
This dog park is located right in the middle of Riverview Park, making it a convenient option for anyone living in North Side or the Brighton Heights area.
Another Pittsburgh dog park with separate areas for small and large dogs, the Riverview Park Dog Park offers tons of room for running around, and numerous trees bushes give your dog plenty to sniff!
Address: 50 Riverview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15214
North Park Dog Park
The North Park Dog Park is one of the biggest dog parks in our region, so it’s a great choice if you really want to tire out Fido. Plus, there are few trees in the park, so you’ll always be able to spot your dog across the field.
Like the Highland Park Dog Park, this one is known for getting muddy, especially after it rains, so don’t be surprised if your dog is caked in dirt before you get back in the car. Fortunately, the North Park Car Wash on Wildwood Road has a self-serve dog wash station, so you can give your dog a bath before you head home.
Address: 10301 Walter Road, Wexford, PA 15090
Learn More
If you’d like to learn even more about the neighborhoods in your region, visit our Pittsburgh neighborhoods page. Of course, always feel free to reach us directly at theblocks@blocksintheburgh.com.
Cheers,
Julie & Ted