Dog Parks and Green Spaces in Chicago

Opened in 1997 as Chicago's first official Dog Friendly Area, Wiggly Field sits on Sheffield Avenue in Lincoln Park between the lakefront and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Two fenced gravel-and-paving runs (small dog and big dog), double-gated entry, water spigots in summer, benches and a strong daily social pack that makes it one of the friendliest off-leash spots in the city. Annual $5 Dog Friendly Area Permit required (Chicago vaccination and rabies certificate needed).

Chicago's flagship 485-hectare lakefront park stretches 11 km from North Avenue to Hollywood Avenue, with the free Lincoln Park Zoo at its centre (one of the few free major US zoos, leashed dogs welcome on the perimeter paths but not inside the animal sections), the Lincoln Park Conservatory, the North Pond and South Pond lagoons, and the Wiggly Field DFA inside the south end. The Lakefront Trail running through it is the city's main flat dog-walking artery.

A compact fenced off-leash DFA on Marshfield Avenue in Bucktown / Wicker Park, behind a residential block and shaded by mature trees. Crushed gravel surface, double-gated entry, water spigots in summer, benches and a steady neighbourhood pack from the surrounding loft buildings. Annual $5 DFA permit required. 600 m walk from Big Star and the Damen-Milwaukee-North six-corners.