North York has six City-designated off-leash dog areas spread across the district, plus a fully fenced dog park at Downsview Park with separate small- and large-dog zones. Below is a verified list of where to go, sourced directly from the City of Toronto’s official off-leash area list and each business’s own site.
Off-leash dog areas in North York
All six of these are confirmed on the City of Toronto’s official List of Off-Leash Areas by Ward (April 2025 Dog Off-Leash Strategy). Standard City rules apply: dogs off-leash only inside the marked area, owners in visual contact and control of their dog at all times, and cleanup required.
- Earl Bales Park — 4169 Bathurst St. One of North York’s largest off-leash areas, set in a ravine near Sheppard Ave W, part of the same park as the ski and snowboard centre.
- G. Ross Lord Park — 4801 Dufferin St. A sprawling park built around the G. Ross Lord Reservoir near Dufferin/Finch, with ponds and trails alongside the off-leash area.
- Bayview Arena Park — 3230 Bayview Ave. Runs along the Finch Hydro Corridor in Willowdale/Bayview Village — a popular open-run spot for locals.
- Linkwood Lane Park — near Linkwood Lane, Flemingdon Park area. A smaller neighbourhood off-leash spot serving the Flemingdon Park/Don Mills Rd corridor.
- York Mills Valley Park — near Yonge St and York Mills. A ravine-trail off-leash area along the Don River, right by York Mills subway station.
- Dogsview Park at Downsview Park — 70 Canuck Ave. Not a City off-leash area but a purpose-built, fully fenced 0.46-hectare dog park operated by Downsview Park itself, with separate zones for small and large dogs and water access. Source: Downsview Park — Dogsview Park.
Pet shops in North York
A few stops worth knowing about if you’re running errands with your dog in North York:
- Bone & Biscuit — Unit 119A, 4841 Yonge St (Yonge/Sheppard). Raw and holistic pet nutrition, treats, and grooming supplies. Source: boneandbiscuit.ca.
- PetSmart — Empress Walk — 5095 Yonge St, Suite A3. A full-size PetSmart inside the Empress Walk complex at Yonge/Sheppard. Source: petsmart.ca.
- Ashario Pets — 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2 (Yonge/Finch area). A locally owned shop stocking raw, freeze-dried, and premium diets. Source: ashariopets.ca.
A note on patios: North York’s dog-friendly patio scene is still catching up to neighbourhoods like Yorkville or King West — we couldn’t independently confirm a stated dog policy on any North York restaurant’s own website at the time of writing. If you’re headed out with your dog, it’s worth a quick call ahead to check.
Getting around North York with your dog
If you don’t want to deal with parking or transit with a crate in tow, Your Dog Butler’s pet taxi service covers North York door-to-door — home pickup, a climate-controlled ride, and real-time photo updates along the way. See our North York service page for details, or check our guide to taking transit with a dog in Toronto if you’re headed out on the TTC instead. You can estimate your fare for the trip in a few seconds.
FAQs
How many off-leash dog areas does North York have?
Six, per the City of Toronto’s official off-leash area list: Earl Bales Park, G. Ross Lord Park, Bayview Arena Park, Linkwood Lane Park, and York Mills Valley Park, plus the separately operated fenced Dogsview Park at Downsview Park.
Is there a fenced dog park in North York?
Yes — Dogsview Park at Downsview Park (70 Canuck Ave) is fully fenced with separate zones for small and large dogs, plus water access. It’s run by Downsview Park itself rather than the City’s regular off-leash program.
Are dogs allowed off-leash outside the designated areas in North York?
No. Toronto’s leash bylaw requires dogs to be leashed everywhere in public except inside a marked off-leash area, where you’re still responsible for keeping your dog under control and in sight.
What’s the closest off-leash park to Yonge and Sheppard?
Bayview Arena Park, along the Finch Hydro Corridor, and York Mills Valley Park near York Mills subway station are both a short drive from Yonge/Sheppard.
Does North York have dog-friendly patios?
We couldn’t independently confirm a stated dog-friendly policy on any North York restaurant’s own website as of this writing — call ahead before bringing your dog to a specific patio.
Can Your Dog Butler pick up my dog from anywhere in North York?
Yes — North York sits inside Toronto’s Zone 1 primary service area, so there’s no surcharge. Call 647-477-5858 or book online to arrange a ride.
Book a ride around North York
Advanced booking is highly recommended to guarantee your spot, and limited emergency availability may exist for local Toronto taxi needs — call 647-477-5858 or book online. See our full North York pet taxi page, or explore nearby service areas in Scarborough and Etobicoke.
