Dog Friendly Outdoor Areas 

One of our missions is to promote socially responsible, law-abiding dog ownership.  It's hard to believe but... not everyone likes dogs.  It is our collective job, as dog guardians, to change minds by bringing well-behaved dogs into public spaces. 

We've included a list of guidelines that are applicable in all public locations.  Also be aware of individual regulations that apply to the city, county or specific park you're visiting.

General Guidelines:

• Visibly display your dog’s current license, proof of current rabies vaccination, and owner I.D. tag on his collar. All dogs are required to be current with rabies vaccination in accordance with Wisconsin State Statute 174.
• In addition to rabies, it is recommended that all dogs be current with distemper and parvovirus vaccinations.
• Keep control of your dog as you are responsible and liable for his behavior at all times.
• If your dog becomes aggressive, immediately remove him from the park or public area.
• You are responsible for immediately cleaning up and properly disposing of dog excrement.
• Follow all park rules and regulations governed by the ordinances of the city, municipality and county.
• If your dog is ill, only bring your dog to a social gathering spot when your veterinarian says there is no risk to other dogs.
• Female dogs in heat, aggressive dogs and puppies under six months should be left at home.
• Many cities and counties do not allow dogs in their parks or on their beaches at all. MilwaukeeDogLovers.com strongly advises that you check with the city or county prior to taking your dog into a public park.
• Follow the boy scout motto and "be prepared."  Know where the nearest 24 hour emergency animal clinic is located.  In the metro-Milwaukee area they are: 
  Animal Emergency Center, 2100 W. Silver Spring Drive, Glendale 414-540-6710
  Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center, 360 Bluemound Road, Waukesha 866-542-3241

Dog Friendly Open Spaces in the Milwaukee Area

Granville Off-Leash Dog Park
Location: 11718 W. Good Hope Road, Milwaukee
Directions: Just north of Good Hope, west of Hwy 41/45 along the east bank of the Menomonee River Click here for a map
Features: Open space to exercise your dog off-leash
Hours: Open only during daylight hours
Regulations: Be with your dog at all times. Keep your dog leashed until it is inside the park. Have your dog under voice control or have it leashed. Follow all the socially responsible guidelines listed above and any posted regulations.

Runway Off-Leash Dog Exercise Area
Location: Cudahy Nature Preserve, Oak Creek
Directions: Off Rawson Avenue between Howell and Nicholson Avenues and accessed by a gravel road at 1214 E. Rawson Avenue
Features: Fenced area offers a wide space for exercise and trails that are ¼, ½, ¾ miles long
Hours: Open seven days a week from dawn to dusk
Regulations: You must have a permit to use this area. Daily and annual passes are available. Click here to see the fee schedule, a permit application and to see the list of “Rules and Petiquette.”
Map of Runway Dog Exercise Area: Click here

Milwaukee County Parks
• With the exception of Granville and the Runway Off-Leash Exercise Area, dogs must be leashed at all times. The 2007 Milwaukee County fine for violation of this regulation is $155.
• Dogs are only allowed in non-restricted areas in all other Milwaukee County Parks. Restricted areas include beaches, picnic areas, children’s play areas, and athletic fields. Violation of this regulation carries a $155 fine.
• You must pick up your dog's waste immediately, wrap it properly, and dispose of it at your home. The 2007 Milwaukee County fine for not cleaning up after your dog is $155.
• For more information click here

ROMP for Dogs is working towards establishing several new off leash dog parks in Milwaukee County. Volunteers are needed to help with site selection, fundraising, and eventually maintaining the parks.

Mitchell Park Dog Exercise Area
Location: 1990 River Road, Brookfield
Directions: Between Brookfield Road and Barker Road
Features: Dog exercise area with trails. Dogs are permitted off-leash within the designated area as long as they are under voice control.
Hours: 6am-10pm
Regulations: Follow the socially responsible guidelines above and any posted regulations. Bring your own water as there are no fresh water outlets.

Mary Knoll Park
Location: 615 S. Sunnyslope Road, Brookfield
Directions: Just south of I-94 near the water tower
Features: Dogs on leashes only can be walked on grass areas and trails
Hours: 6am-10pm
Regulations: Dog must remain on leash

Click here for the City of Brookfield “Dogs In City Parks” brochure.
In all other Brookfield parks, leashed dogs are only allowed on parking lots and paved walks.

Katherine Kearney Carpenter Park
Location: 801 W. Zedler Lane, Mequon
Directions: North of County Line Road just off Port Washington Road. Park is to the east of Port Washington Road
Features: This land was donated to the City of Mequon in 1967 with the condition that it be used for public park purposes and that children and pets be given unrestricted access. There are no fences, but lots of trails, a creek and a large field. Your dog can be off-leash.
Hours: Daylight hours
Regulations: Follow the socially responsible guidelines above and any posted regulations.

Muttland Meadows
Location: S. Green Bay Road, Town of Grafton across from Lime Kiln Park
Directions: From Hwy 60 in Grafton go south on 12th Ave. (Hwy O). Follow 12th Ave. (which changes to Falls Rd.) Take a slight left onto S. Green Bay Rd. Go about ½ mile to Muttland Meadows.
Features: Off-leash fully fenced in park with lots of short trails
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Regulations: Follow the socially responsible guidelines above and any posted regulations.

City of Waukesha Off-Leash Dog Run
Location: MacArthur Road at S. Comanche Lane, Waukesha
Directions: I-94 exit Hwy G. Head south 3.5 miles to MacArthur Road and turn east to the sign that says “Dog Run.”
Features: Wooded trail about ½ mile long with a small open area. Donations are accepted to help maintain the dog run.  Click here for more info. 
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Regulations: Bring your own water and follow the guidelines listed above plus any posted regulations.

Oconomowoc On-Leash Dog Park Exercise Area
Location: At the end of Worthington Street, Oconomowoc
Directions: In Oconomowoc follow Worthington Street until it dead ends.
Features: On-leash only park where dogs can exercise.
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Regulations: A permit is required to use this park. Click here for info.  Dogs must stay leashed. Follow the guidelines listed above plus any posted regulations and the ones listed here.

If you'd like to have a say about dog parks in Waukesha County, visit the Waukesha Dog Parks Organization website.

Jefferson County Dog Park at Bicentennial Park
Location: Highway 26 between Jefferson and Johnson Creek
Directions: I-94 west, exit at Hwy 26, turn left, watch for sign on the left
Features: Twenty-two acres of fenced off-lease dog exercise areas. Separate areas for small dogs and large dogs. A permit is needed to use this park. 
Hours: Daylight hours
Regulations: Follow the socially responsible guidelines above plus any posted regulations. Click here for more information.

City of Burlington Off-Leash Dog Park
Location: 732 Maryland Avenue near the City of Burlington compost site
Directions: Off Highway 36 on Maryland Avenue. Park on the street and walk your leashed dog to the park.
Features: Fifteen acres of fenced land so dogs can exercise off-leash.
Hours: According to the City of Burlington, no set hours have been posted yet for this park.
Regulations: No aggressive dogs are allowed. No more than two dogs per person. Use of the park is at your own risk. Follow the socially responsible guidelines above and any posted regulations.

Johnson Off-Leash Dog Park Dog Area
Location: 4229 Northwestern Avenue, Racine
Directions: Highway 38 near Four Mile Road. Take I-94 to Hwy K east. Turn left on Hwy 38. Watch for the dirt parking lot.
Features: Several acres left by Sam Johnson of S.C. Johnson. Huge prairie with wide paths, woods with paths, and water.
Hours: Dawn to 10pm
Regulations: Follow the socially responsible guidelines above and any posted regulations.

City of Hartford Independence Park
Location: Independence Park on S. Wilson Avenue
Directions: Park is located west of Highway K.
Features: Dogs can run off-leash under its owner's strict control in the area south of the southern most softball diamond.  The area is marked by a sign. 
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Regulations: Follow the socially responsible guidelines above and any posted regulations.

City of Hartford Centennial Park
Location: Grand Avenue in Hartford
Features: Dogs are allowed in certain areas of this park on-leash only.  
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Regulations: Follow the socially responsible guidelines above and any posted regulations.  Dogs are not allowed in any other City of Hartford parks.

Note: Yes we are aware that there are other “unofficial” places in the Greater Milwaukee area where people take their dogs to run. We consciously did not include those locations as we are interested in promoting socially responsible, law-abiding dog ownership.

If you know of other official outdoor areas that we failed to include or have a correction to information that is posted, please let us know MyComments@MilwaukeeDogLovers.com