Anne-Charlotte PasseraDogs are not allowed off-leash anywhere within the island of Montreal, except in a dog park.
So when you’re a dog owner in Montreal AND have kids, you’ll find it hard to walk your dog and satisfy the children at the same time.
Just like kids, dogs need to be able to run around freely, without a leash. While it’s obvious to parents that children deserve a playground, it is less so for dogs. The necessity of a dog park will not become apparent until you become a dog owner.
Dogs these days have been cast as a family member and are no longer just a protector for our home. We’ve brought them inside, some of us into our bed (guilty) and we often regard them as our own kin.
If you’ve spent time at the playground with your kids, you’ll soon realize that being in a dog park is no different.
Just like kids, not all dogs get along. Some of them will be shy and stay close to their owner. Others won’t like sharing their toys. Some dogs will feel left out of a game of tag or a friendly wrestling match. But more often than not it will be a riot of canine joy.
Whether it’s a playground or a dog park, both of them provide the same values. It’s a good place for children and dogs to develop their social skills and get some exercise.
To be time efficient and for the whole family to spend time together outside, we’ve put a short list of parks where kids and dogs can enjoy themselves.
Dog parks in cities
The city of Berkeley in California was the birth place of the dog parks thanks to Doris Richards the MOTHER OF THE FREE DOG MOVEMENT. She created what is believed to be the world’s first municipal dog park in the early 80s.
Nowadays, it is very uncommon to find a big city, at least in North America, that doesn’t have a dog park. They have become part of the urban landscape. It’s no wonder, as of 2019, it was estimated that 41% of Canadian households owned at least one dog. Due to the Pandemic, this number has surely risen.
Oddly enough, while living in England, Italy and in France, I never stepped foot in a dog park.
European philosophy
It is quite funny because in Europe, things are done differently. Dog parks don’t tend to exist because most parks are open to dogs, off-leash. In fact, in many countries you can bring your dog to a restaurant, inside a store, on a train.
One of the reasons dogs have more freedom in Europe is because we tend to walk more than drive. Hence, we bring our dog with us everywhere we go. This does not mean that while visiting Europe you will feel a snout sniffing your crouch at every corner.
While visiting a friend in Switzerland, she told me that on trails, dogs are allowed off leash, just as long as they are well behaved. I found that to be completely reasonable.
Dogs should be allowed to roam freely just like humans, even if they are domesticated. After all, cats are allowed to do that, so why can’t dogs?
Now, I wouldn’t let my dogs loose without supervision in the city nor where people are picnicking but in parks or on trails that are not too crowded, heck yes!
Paris
Dog parks in Paris are a joke. They are often as large as my own bathroom. Hence, they are more like poop parks than anything else.
It is however a step in the right direction since the French have problems picking up poop. I don’t know why that is! No, seriously, in Paris, outside touristy areas, the city sidewalks are littered with them. Luckily, Paris has some really nice parks. At the city’s limits you will find that the Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne are the perfect places to take your dog for a walk off leash.
New York City
While visiting New York City, I noticed some dog parks. Granted they were not super big, but they were real, unlike the ones in Paris. It seemed a bit surreal as they were surrounded by tall buildings and lots of traffic. A dog park within a concrete jungle.
So yes, if you’re going to Manhattan, dog parks exist. However, the best place to take your dog is of course Central Park, even if they cannot be let off leash.
Dog park experience
It is a shame that dogs can only be free in a closed off area in Montreal. While we do not understand that in places like Maisonneuve Park or on the Mount-Royal off-leash is not permitted, we are lucky to have more than 50 dog parks in the city. It’s the only public space where dogs can do what they want.
If you plan to get a dog in Montreal, you’ll have to register it with the city and get a medal. Not doing so will make you pay a hefty fine. Get your medal HERE.
Dog parks in Montreal are plentiful and vary in size and maintenance quality.
When it is wintertime, most dog parks become impractical. What other options do we have, might you ask?
Just as you would with your kids at the playground, you’ll have to monitor your dog. You need to keep an eye on him at all times. Not all dogs get along and fights can start in the blink of an eye. Also, you need to pick up its poop. You can’t do that if you’re not watching him.
Not all dogs like to share, avoid bringing a toy to the dog park.
Usually, dog owners in Montreal are friendly and kind, but not all of them know how to take care of their dog in a doggy park.
You have to make your dog a priority when you take him to the dog park. I find it hard to read or even socialize with dog owners because I’m always looking around at what my dog is doing.
Dog park with kids
Kids under the age of 12 are not permitted within a dog park without an adult. It can be dangerous to go inside a dog park with young children as an accident can happen.
Dogs don’t pay attention to humans when they are chasing each other around the park. They are free and therefore careless. If you do want to take your kids with you to the dog park, have them stay close to to the fence or at a picnic table. This is a safe way to prevent oneself from getting bumped into by a speedy gonzales like my dog.
We’ve only tested a few dog parks in Montreal. Below you’ll find 5 parks that are both practical to go to when you have a dog and kids. Obviously, this works as as long as there are 2 adults to supervise.
Lafontaine Park
Located on the corner of Papineau and Sherbrooke on Le Plateau is a dog park of a decent size with shade.
This is practical on hot summer days which we’ve been experiencing a lot over the last few years.
While one parent watches the dog in the park, the other one can go play a game of football or bocce in the park with the kids. During wintertime, you can ice skate on the pond or slide down a little hill.
In the park there is also an outdoor theatre and a puppet show.
The only fall back is that you won’t be able to do these activities close to the dog park. Nonetheless, it’s a good place for both your dog and your kids to burn some energy. It’s a win win for the parents!
Laurier Park
The dog park of Laurier is located on the corner of Saint-Grégoire and Mentana, right behind the baseball field.
It’s a good size park with plenty of room for the dogs to sprint without running into a fence!
Laurier Park has a wonderful playground on the other side of the baseball field and an outdoor swimming pool.
It’s a popular park, with lots of people picnicking.
Père-Marquette Park
The Père-Marquette dog park is located on the corner of Rosemont Blvd and Garnier Street. This is our go to park as it’s the biggest and closest one to us.
In this doggy park you’ll find a tub for dogs to lay in. However, if our Nouki is there, good luck in gaining access to it. Nouki thinks that he owns it, at least while he is there; Price does the same.
In the park, they’ve installed an obstacle course for dogs to practice their agility and planted some trees.
There is lots of place to run around. If you have a sprinter, this is the spot to go.
What makes this park perfect to go to with kids is the newly and improved playground with water jets located next to the doggy park. Everything is close by and within reach.
The park itself is not fancy nor trendy as Lafontaine and Laurier but it’s family and dog-friendly. Across the street you will also find a skate park.
Jarry Park
I’m adding this doggy park to the list but we’ve never been to it. From what I saw it is a pretty decent size park for dogs to run around. It comes with some shade.
Jarry park is huge and is a great place if you want to take kids for a bike ride or play a game of football.
In fact, that’s a not the park where I don’t understand we can’t let the dog be off-leash, at least during certain hours.
Pelican Park
I thought I would mention the Pelican Park located on the corner of St-Joseph and Molson Street for the sole purpose that during wintertime, you can go sledding right next to the doggy park. Otherwise, it is so so.
There is also and outdoor pool at the Pelican Park but it’s on the opposite side of the dog park.
No matter which park you decide to go to, you have to make your dog a priority. I get it though. Between a full time job, family, and life in general it can be a struggle to give them the attention that really wears them out. But remember this:
Having a dog is a choice, having a kid could have been an accident.
