RHODE ISLAND
DOG PARK
BEACHES
NATURE WALKS

RI K-9 is a fantastic resource in Rhode Island for dog parks and other outdoor locations to take your dog : www.rik9.com

THE PROVIDENCE DOG PARK ASSOCIATION
www.providencedogparkassociation.org
The Providence Dog parK Association, a grass-roots citizen group, is committed to developing, supporting and maintaining off-leash recreation areas in the community, where well behaved canine citizens and their handlers can exercise in a safe enclosed space without endangering people and wildlife, or destroying property.

OFFICIAL DOG PARKS

BARRINGTON
BARRINGTON DOG PARK
located behind the baseball fields on the western side of Haines Park. The off-leash area is open during regular park hours.

NEWPORT
NEWPORT DOG PARK
The City of Newport's off-leash park
is located on Connell Highway at the base of the Pell Bridge (directly across the street from the Newport Playhouse). The park is free and open to the public from 6AM to 9PM. All dogs over 6 months of age must be licensed.

PROVIDENCE
Gano St. Dog Park
THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE HAS ITS FIRST OFFICIAL OFF-LEASH AREA FOR DOGS! THE PROVIDENCE PARKS DEPT. HAS ENCLOSED A SPACE AT THE GANO STREET PARK ON PROVIDENCE'S EAST SIDE. THE OFF-LEASH AREA OPENED ON JUNE 14th, 2006

Dexter Street Dog Park
located at the Dexter Training Ground between Parade St. and Dexter St. in Providence, RI

WARWICK
Warwick Dog Park
The fenced-in facility is 33,000 square feet and features a spacious grassy area, a shady tree-filled section and several fire hydrants for the city's four-legged residents. There is a small holding area adjacent to the main park gate, where residents can safely unleash

In the works...
Bristol Paw Park
http://www.bristolpawpark.org

Some Dog Park, Inc. - Sommersett MA

Tiverton/Little Compton Dog Park

BEACHES
In Rhode Island, dogs are permitted on all state bathing beaches and in Burlingame picnic area between September 30th and April 1st. Fortunately, there are also several access points that will allow you to take your pup for a swim throughout the summer months when public bathing beaches are closed to dogs. These include fishing areas, boat ramps, and other public shoreline points not posted with "No Dogs" signage. Some of the most accessible include:

The RISD FARM
in Barrington has a fantastic field and beach that welcome dogs - the only catch is that you have to be a RISD student, professor or alumni to gain access.

Kings Beach - Newport

Fort Wetherill - Jamestown

The Narrows - Bristol

Sandy Point - Portsmouth

URI Bay Campus - Narragansett

Block Island
Dogs on a leash are allowed year round on Block Island's public beaches.

Quonset Point's beaches, N. Kingstown, RI

Charlestown: East Beach
Dogs on a leash are only allowed on the beach during the off-season, from Oct. 1 through March 31.

Middletown: Sachuest Beach (Second Beach)
In the summer dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach only in the early morning until 7:30 a.m., but longer hours during the off-season.

Narragansett: Salty Brine State Beach
Dogs on a leash are only allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Oct. 1 through March 31.

Newport: Easton's Beach
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Oct. 1 to Memorial Day.

South Kingston: East Matunuck State Beach
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Oct. 1 through March 31.

Westerly: Misquamicut State Beach
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Oct. 1 through March 31.

Please note that dogs are banned year round on Hope Island in the West Passage, East Island and West Island off Sakonnet Point, and on Gould Island in the East Passage, except by special permit. Effective April 4th 2004, dogs are no longer permitted in the Ninigret or Sachuset Point National Wildlife Refuges.

Dog PARKS (UNOFFICIAL)
India Pt. Park
in the winter is great fun. Summertime is too packed with kids so the dog people keep their distance but when it cools down you can find many dogs when the sun sets.

Chase Farm, Lincoln-
This place is amazing and beautiful. There seems to be pockets of times when some officials will hide and wait to ticket off leash dogs but I have yet to experience this.

Richmond, RI
A large fenced in open area that dogs can go off leash. There is a small bench to sit while the dogs play. It is located next to the Richmond dog pound, just up the hill.

Rodger Williams Park - I hear about lots of people visiting this spot.

Veezy St. - Providence, RI
Don't know the official name but it has become quite a local dog spot...but this one comes with lots of controversy with neighbors, walkers and police. Not sure if this should be recommended but it does exists.

Wanskuck Park Dog Park - Prov. RI
Located on Woodward Road, between Branch Avenue and Mineral Spring Avenue Open 24 hours. Fenced, benches, handicap access, trees, trashcans. Comments= a nice dirt walking path and a large open grassy area. Leash laws may be enforced so use at your own discretion. Fencing in disrepair and area is next to the street so use caution.

NATURE WALKS/BIKE PATHS
Mt. Pleasant Meridian Park
Located on Meridian Road near High Street trees, parking, water. Comments= it's just an off-road park running by the river, secluded and from off a not-busy road

Providence Barc Parc
Located on Patterson Street, cross streets Rhode Island Avenue and Nesbit Street Open 6am to 9pm daily. Fenced (partial), tables, handicap access, trees, parking, trashcans. Comments= Located in a wooded area in the midst of a 40 acre preserve in the heart of providence's East Side.

Cars Pond
a beautiful walk...very illegal but again..used by many.

Pulaski Park, Gloscester, RI

South County Bike Path - Kingston

Hope Farm -- Bristol, RI

Sqauntum Woods, East Providence

Rome Point, on Boston Neck Rd, N. Kingstown

The North-South Trail

East Bay Bike PathSouth County Bike

PathBlackstone River BikewayWest

Warwick Greenway & Cranston BikePath

Coventry GreenwayPark and Managed
Area Rules and Regulations

STATE PARKS
(on leash dogs allowed)
Beavertail State Park
Blackstone River Bikeway
Brenton Point State Park
Burlingame State Park
Colt StateEast Bay Bike Path
Goddard Memorial Park
Fort Adams
Fort Wetherill State Park
Haines Memorial Park
Lincoln Woods State Park
Snake Den State Park
World War II Memorial ParkCapron Park - Attleboro, MA
Haines Park, Riverside
Buttonwoods Park

MASSACHUSETTS
DOG PARK
BEACHES
NATURE WALKS

DOG PARK & DOG OWNERS GROUPS

Cape Cod
Pilgrim Bark Park
located in Provincetown MA
http://www.provincetowndogpark.org

Somerville Dog Owners Group

Marshfield Bark Park

Lowell Unleashed

Newton Dogs

Peters Park Dog Run
This excellent off-leash dog park is located in the South End of Boston on Washington Street between E Berkley and Waltham Street.
Directions

Sharon Dog Park

Boston
Carlton Court Dog Park, South End
Carleton court dog park in the south end is an excellent small dog park. It’s fenced in and right on the southwest corridor. There are poop bags available, lots of toys, and there’s a mulch elimination area. Its a great park and there are usually at least a few other dogs enjoying the space. The park is not huge, so really large dogs may have a hard time (greyhounds or wolfhounds).
The park is located at the intersection of Carlton and Holyoke Street at the Southwest Corridor.
Most of the dogs will be there early in the morning and after 5 pm.

Charlesgate Dog Run.
Small fenced in area in heart of Boston, bench. Very small, but convenient to Back Bay dogs. (Needs a little TLC. Volunteers needed to help clean it up.) Location: Beacon St. and Massachusetts Ave. (next to the bridge). Directions: Go to the intersection of Mass. and Beacon. Walk towards the bridge on Mass. you will see the stairs to the dog run on the left hand side. (Thank you Mailei Brown)

Southwest Corridor Park.
A small fenced-in dog park, similar to a tennis court. The Southwest Corridor Park is home to lots of on-leash dog walking. This place, seemingly in a converted tennis court, may host as many as a dozen dogs at busy times. Location: Carleton at Holyoke streets, Back Bay. Directions: This is roughly east of the Prudential Center and a quick, direct walk from Back Bay Station. (Thank you Mike Stucka)
Washington Street Park. Located on Washington Street and Berkeley St. Fenced, trees, tables.

The Boston Common
The starting point of the Freedom Trail. The Boston Common is known to be one of the oldest public parks in the country. The park is almost 50 acres in size. Today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston’s neighborhoods.
Location: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
I understand there is a shared time for this space - if you have more info please contact us.

Brookline
Brookline Ave Playground.
Fenced in park, but not just for dogs. Large park (for Brookline), fenced in area where lots of dogs and their owners gather and socialize. Any time of day, and day of the week, there is someone there! Location: Brookline Ave and Aspinwall Street. Directions: Just north of Route 9, just west of Riverway. Take Riverway to Route 9 west, take the first right onto Brookline Avenue. Park is just on your left. (Thank you Whitney Johnson)

Cambridge
Fresh Pond
Cambridge, MA. Off leash path surrounds Fresh Pond Resevoir. Often there are many other dogs to interact with and there are a few ponds for those interested in a doggie paddle. Must have Cambridge resident sticker to park. Litter bags and trash barrels available. 2 sources of water. dogs restricted from running on grassy areas; The only dogs allowed off-leash at Fresh Pond are Cambridge resident dogs with an off-leash tag (permit) which is only available to Cambridge residents who purchase one. For these "off-leash permit" dogs, they are building a new open grass play area for off-leash play on the side closest to the big rotary, but again only open to residents who purchased the off-leash tag. All other dogs are considered "visiting dogs" will be required to be on-leash and will be fined for off-leash violations. One place to swim. Location: 250 Fresh Pond Pkwy. (Thank you Ann Stewart & Tyson Smith-Ra)

Dorchester
Pope John Paul II Park.
Not an official Dog Park. Large park (not fenced) bording the Neponset River that welcomes dogs (usually has pick-up bags there for you). Leash policy is not posted, but there are always dogs running around off leash. Park is usually quite busy with kids, bicycles, roller bladers, kites, soccer games, etc. Location: Neponset Circle on the Dorchester/Quincy line. Directions: From Boston and points North: Take 93 to exit 12 (Neponset/Quincy). Park is the the second right at the bottom of the ramp (after parking lot for Staples and Walgreens). (Thank you Carolyn Bloomberg)

Duxbury
Bay Farm, Duxbury
Lots of other dogs and people, and a beach on the end for the dogs to swim. During the summer there are mowed paths through the tall grass, they mow the whole thing out in winter and it is a giant field. Dogs are allowed off leash but must be under owner's control. Part of the Bay Circuit.
From Rt. 3 South: Exit 10 and bear right onto Rt. 3A north. R on Parks Street. Bear L at the fork onto Loring Street. Continue on Loring Street past Bay Road. Parking will be less than a half mile up on the left.

Lynn
Lynn Woods Reservation.
Any dog not under effective voice command (dog must respond to the command immediately without having to be commanded a second time) must be on a leash. I suggest to anyone going to Willard's Woods bring a leash with them when they walk. Lynn Woods Reservation, a 2,200-acre municipal forest park located in Lynn, Massachusetts, is the second largest municipal park in the United States.
From Route 1 North or South: Take the Walnut Street exit in Saugus and head east on Walnut Street into Lynn. At 2.0 miles, turn left at a blinking light onto Pennybrook Road.

Manchester
Ravenswood Park, Manchester
Off leash permitted once inside the park.
Directions: From Route 128, take exit 14 (Route 133) and follow east towards Gloucester for 3 mi. until it dead ends into Route 127. Turn right onto Route 127 and follow for 2 mi. to entrance and parking area (12 cars) on right.

Salem
Leslie's Retreat Park.
A great place to socialize your dog. Approximately 10-12 dogs at a time. Wide space for dogs to run and play off leash. Location: Leslie's Retreat Park between Bridge and Commercial Streets, Salem. Directions: It is a little hard to find, but look closely as your crossing the bridge and look for a gazebo through a fence. (Thank you Amy Fawcett)

Saugus
Breakheart Reservation, Saugus
Bark Place is the great, fenced-in area in Breakheart just for dogs.
Forest Street, off Lynn Fells Parkway. Route 1 to Lynn Fells Parkway, entrance on Forest Street.

Somerville
Nunziato Off-Leash Recreational Area. Fenced-in area (9,000 sq. ft.) in Nunziato Field. Dogs must be licensed. Other restrictions apply. Location: Summer Street at Putnam Street. (Thank you Michele Biscoe)

Wakefield
Lake Quannapowitt, Wakefield
A three mile walk around the lake for ON leash dogs. Parking lot is off North Ave.

Wellesley Hills
Centennial Park.
42 acres of trails and fields. Nice pond and parking area. Great off-leash dog park if your dog is under voice command. Many dogs go there and great for exercise and socialization. Location: Oakland St. Directions: Take Route 9 from East. Almost hidden sign that says Centennial Park.

Wrentham/Foxborough Line
Commonwealth of Mass: F Gilbert Hills-State Forest
Located in Foxborough and Wrentham. Swimming for dogs, lots of trails, dogs can be off leash but motorized bikes share the park as well. Great in the winter, buggy in summer. Several water holes and brooks throughout many trails. Few large ponds for swimming.
Directions:Heading south on route 1 from Walpole, enter Foxborough, pass State Police on left, pass ceramic pottery place on left, take next left onto High Rock Road

BEACHES

Boston & North Shore
Boston: Carson Beach
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach but only during the off-season.

Gloucester
Dogs are allowed on the beaches only in the off-season, before May 1 and after September 15th.

Ipswich: Crane Beach
Dog walking is permitted October 1 to March 31. Dogs must be on leash at all times and walk only on beachfront below the high tide line.

Manchester: Singing Beach
Dogs are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Oct. 1 through April 30th.

Swampscott
Dogs are allowed on public beaches only between October 1 and May 20. Dogs must be accompanied by the owner/keeper at all times. Dogs must be leashed to and from the high water mark. From the high water mark to the water's edge dogs may be off the leash, but under direct control and supervision of the owner/keeper.

CAPE COD
Barnstable: Sandy Neck Beach
Sandy Neck, a coastal barrier beach, is approximately six miles long, varying in width from 200 yards to one half mile. This unique conservation and recreation area is owned by the Town of Barnstable. Dogs are prohibited from all Barnstable public beaches from May 15 to September 15. Dogs are allowed on Sandy Neck hiking trails and the Off-Road Vehicle beach during these dates, as long as they remain on a leash.

Cape Cod National Seashore
Dogs on a leash are allowed year round on beaches except in posted shorebird nesting areas, lifeguard-protected areas, bike trails, and designated nature trails.

Chatham
Dogs are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Sept. 16 through March 31.

Dennis: Mayflower Beach
Dogs are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from after Labor Day up to Memorial Day.

Eastham
Dogs are not allowed on any of the town beaches at any time from May 15 through Labor Day. They are, however, allowed at Dyer Prince Road/Rock Harbor Beach Area before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. All dogs must be leashed. No dogs allowed March 15 - September 15 North of the Nauset Beach parking lot.

Falmouth
Dogs are allowed on the beaches only during the off-season, from Oct. 1 through April 30th.

Harwich
Dogs are allowed at Red River Beach in the Parking Lot only Memorial Day through Labor Day. After Labor Day and before Memorial Day dogs are allowed on the beaches.

Orleans: Nauset Beach
From a point South of Nauset Beach parking lot to trail one, dogs are prohibited from May 15 to Labor Day. From a point South of trail one to the Chatham lnlet, all dogs must be on a leash of not more than 30 feet at all times, unless below the high tide mark, from May 15 through Labor Day. Dogs are prohibited from areas closed to vehicle or human traffic for Piping Plover protection.

Provincetown: Race Point Beach
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach year round. During the summer, dogs are allowed off-leash from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Sandwich
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from October through March.

Wellfleet
Dogs are allowed, on a six-foot lead, before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. on the following beaches from the 3rd Saturday in June through Labor Day: Duck Harbor, Newcomb Hollow, Cahoon Hollow, White Crest and Maguire Landing.

DUXBURY

Duxbury
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach from 8 a.m. till sunset year round, but from April 1st thru September 15th are not permitted on the front beach, known as the Resident Beach, and on the back beach north of the Powder Point Bridge. A dog permit, obtained at the Duxbury Town Hall, is required.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD

Martha's Vineyard: Eastville Point Beach, Joseph Sylvia State Beach, Norton Point Beach.
January 1-March 31: No restrictions.
April 1-May 14: Dogs are allowed on beaches but are prohibited within 100 yards of posted nesting habitat.
May 15-August 30: Dogs are allowed on beaches but are prohibited within 100 yards of posted nesting habitat; dogs are prohibited on all beaches between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
September 1-September 15: Dogs are prohibited on all beaches between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
September 16-December 31: No restrictions.
Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce

NANTUCKET ISLAND

Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Sept. 16 through March 31st.

Nantucket Island
During the summer, dogs on a leash are allowed on beaches with lifeguards before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. During the winter and on beaches where no lifeguards are present dogs on a leash are allowed all day. Dogs are welcome on most ferries and on shuttle buses to and from the beach.

PLYMOUTH

Plymouth
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach year round.