Such a beautiful park! A great amount of space for my pup to run around to get a good workout. Also enjoyed seeing lots of other dogs. Looking forward to returning! read more

Nice park, just wish the owner was a little nicer with his approach. Also, the owners of the dogs the come here tend to bring PACKS of dogs. I think you should bring only 1 or 2 dogs for safety reasons. read more

Jackson Bark is unlike any other dog park you have been to. It is not funded by the city, and it was built and is maintained by a single man named Todd. This is truly built from the ground up out of love, making something from nothing that fits in perfectly with the community. Jackson Bark is for pup owners who want their dogs to have a more challenging play time. There are tons of agility courses that are great for exercise and training. It is for a level of mental and physical stimulation you will not find at the other parks. Yet the dogs can still be social, the parents can still be social and there is plenty of room to sit back and relax. Plus, Todd has thought of everything, from toys to fresh water to poop bags. Oh, and there is even free parking! Free parking in the city, can you believe it? I highly, highly recommend this hidden gem. read more

Jackson Bark is our favorite dog park. There's plenty for the dogs to do such as agility obstacles, play space, water areas & bath. Humans can relax in the shade and read books from the little library as the dogs run around and have fun. read more

Another great adventure at Jackson Bark today (a Sunday, so a lot of doggies & their pup-parents came); everyone had a super-relaxing time. It's such a joy to have your dog all pooped & happy at home and on the littler walks! Jackson Bark has so many features to play with, it's truly Doggie Heaven! This community-created dog park is accessible, well-equipped, clean and fun. Neighbors have lovingly appointed the most northeasterly tennis court behind the Museum of Science & Industry with challenging obstacles for your sweeties to jump on and run around; a wide assortment of balls & toys to chase; always-filled water dishes; bags for the inevitable "by-product" of active play; and sheltering areas to protect against excessive sun and precipitation. Dogs and their people alike relax in a fully-enclosed atmosphere of cooperative fun, surrounded by lake breezes and woodsy beauty. Plus, Free Parking just beyond the 1802 E-Pay Zone behind MSI's Southeast entrance. See you there (Link to Map below) -- Now, Go Play! https://www.google.com/maps/place/Jackson+Bark/@41.7887521,-87.5804563,18z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x880e29a79200533f:0x295fd3152f6fad66 read more

This is a great dog park. It's lots of fun for the pups with plenty of obstacles to learn on and toys to play with. There's a great community of people that go here and keep it in good shape. If you are driving, finding the parking lot next to the Bark is a little tricky. To find the winding road that takes you to the Bark either exit on Science drive driving South on LSD or go into the Museum of Science and Industry parking lot (above ground lot) and head around the East side of the building on the side road there (Colombia Drive). Eventually you will pass by 59th st Harbor, go over a small bridge, and then you will be at a parking lot next to the Bark. As of the writing of this, Google Maps will not give you proper directions. read more

I cant express how awesome this place is! Such a great place to take your dog. I have been to a couple dog parks in the city and this one tops them all! They have so much to offer from the cool obstacle courses, doggy time out, and books you can read while your pup plays! Everyone here comes together no matter where your from. Its sad to say the city can shut them down at anytime. This space is used efficiently bringing the community and their pets together. One of our few dog parks in the area and by far the best one! read more

Over the weekend I was visiting my friend in Hyde Park. We have dog siblings and went over to Jackson Bark with them. I've been to other dog parks and this one is really unique! Lots of colorful, creative agility features to challenge our girls made the visit more enjoyable and kept our furry ones and us busy. There are lots of toys for them there too. Although there are trees around the park lending shade I really appreciated being able to time out with my dog under the tented area within the park. They're doing a great job of keeping this park clean providing poop bags and plenty of clean water too. It was a good time for all and it's great having a park as special as this one so close we can go there again on our next visit. read more

I'm glad there's a dog park on the south side considering the rest are in Downtown. Although it was a little difficult to find our first time, we had a good experience and free parking is great. My dog, Conan, has never tried agility obstacles before, but he enjoyed the tire pyramid. I also met some of the people who are involved with the park (Noah and Charlie's pup dad and friend) and they are very friendly. Thanks for providing a great dog-friendly space! read more

Just came from visiting Jackson Bark and meeting the brains behind it all, Todd. It's awesome to see how one person's love for his dog, Charlie, can create such a loving, playful, welcoming environment where all dogs can romp around. There are lots of obstacles to challenge your furball and plenty of room to run around. Come check it out and help support. I will be sure to give my support anyway I can and spread the word. Kudos to you and Charlie. read more

Seriously the greatest dog park I've ever seen. The people are great, and the dogs are amazing. There's so much fun stuff for my dog to do, from agility and obstacle courses to water fountains and pools. read more

Saw this place months ago, and thought it was a finally a new dog park by the Park Dist. Well I was 1/2 right. Came during the late fall / winter to check it out when it was still under construction and my 7 year old lab ran around by herself and enjoyed it. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when we went back and met Charlie and his human Todd. What a great pair! Todd is a mastermind of dog park construction. His commitment to building safe, fun dog parks out of left over materials is amazing.The Park District should thank him for this wonderful addition to Jackson park! If you live in South Shore, Hyde Park, or Woodlawn, join the fun and bring your dogs aver for a wonderful time behind the Museum! read more

This place is great! There's a lot of good people you meet, and as for my dog, he couldn't get enough of playing around without a leash with other dogs! If you live on the South Side, this is definitely the place to go to! While there are parks around the area that are "dog-friendly" insofar as they allow dogs with a leash, none of these places have anything for dogs, really. Jackson Bark, on the other hand, has bags and scoopers spread throughout the area, and toys and balls laying around, in addition to the main agility course. Definitely come here if you want to do more than just walk your dog through a park. read more

My dogs love this place! Their favorite part is meeting other dogs and being social. It's huge and has 2 sections so if dogs don't get along, they can separate. This somewhat hidden gem is an asset to the community. read more

Great dog park - huge and lots for dogs to do in terms of toys, climbing, jumping etc.

Great addition to the south side lake front. Fenced and safe. Echo enjoyed playing and learning tricks on the agility course. We loved using it on our walks along the lake front. This is a great example of how a community knows what we need the best. Great alternate use of an abandoned and unmaintained public property! Great job on jackson bark! Woof woof! read more

Jackson Bark - Dog Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I am so happy I found this place! I live on the northside and while there are no dearth of dog parks, Jackson Bark is truly a haven! The owners I've met have all been engaged with their animals and friendly to talk to. The obstacle/agility courses are great too, and provide a way for my greyhound to practice outside of his class. The community spirit is really the jewel of Jackson Bark, and I hope it stays around for a very long time. South Shore's best kept secret! read more

My pup and I live in the suburbs and still trek into the city multiple times a year since we like this park so much.

Hands-down the best dog park in Chicago! We were kind of intimidated at first by all the agility equipment, but our little pup Iggy LOVES to run around it all and chase balls off-leash. It's a great way to socialize dogs because there is plenty of room to get some space if needed - you can even separate dogs into the two separate spaces if they don't get along well. The community around this park is amazing, and the safety features are top-notch. We are so lucky to have this dog park! read more

This isn't a traditional "dog park" - it's an agility course. I hated it. It's an old tennis court, so there is VERY LITTLE shade. I went on a hot day, and both my dog and I were miserable. Additionally, there were no other dogs for her to play with. read more

I was so excited to find this place where I could bring my pooch to and let him run and play off the leash. I think its a great place, but I have since stopped going. I find that only people with huge aggressive dogs come here. I have not experience anyone like myself with a small dog. Don't get me wrong I think it was a fantastic place to come. I enjoyed the times that I did come. I just wish it was sectioned off with a section for the big dogs and smaller dogs. Thanks! read more

We live in Logan square and are always searching for off the leash opportunities for our pup. Jackson Bark was a bit of a cruise for us, coming from the north side, but totally worth it!!! Make sure you check out the website for tips on how to get there (www.jacksonbark.com) as the directions on the map could be a bit confusing. Our Louie had so much fun trying new tricks. Big props and thanks to Todd for putting in the work to make this place awesome for both dogs and owners. Spread the word and help keep this place running! Can't wait to go back. read more

I am so happy to have this little park near by my home! My dog absolutely cannot be off the leash (she has no breaks when she goes), so having a place where she can run around safely and play with other dogs is the best thing I can ask for her! The place is clean and "sneaky little dog-proofed," so I don't have to worry about accidental escapes. The agility props are awesome and provide good challenge and exercise for Lucy who is trying to pack a few pounds for winter. There is always water and poop bags available (nice to have in case you run out). Thanks to whoever maintains this little piece of dog heaven! read more

I love Jackson Bark! There's everything you and your dog could need. The atmosphere is so friendly, even dogs who may not be very used to being around other dogs have a special separate place so they can gradually integrate to the others if they want to. There are so many toys and there's always water and bags. The agility course is awesome! This dog park is huge and safe. Thank you everyone and every dog for making it so wonderful to spend as much time as possible there! read more

I lived in Hyde Park for about 2 years. My dogs Gizmo and Nena loved playing with Charlie and Noah. It's an awesome place to take your dogs for some good exercise since it's expanded to an extra tennis court. There's plenty for them to do while at Jackson Bark. People donate toys, so in case you forget there's always some there. There's also poopy bags in almost every section of the park, which helps maintain it clean and also makes it easier to run around without worry about stepping on something stinky. Todd did an amazing job creating Jackson Bark! read more

Again, had another blast at Jackson Bark today and got to meet Todd & Charlie during our play date! I tell everyone I know, with or without a dog(s) about how amazing this place is. Even if your dog isn't into agility, there's plenty of room for them to run around and play with friends. BEST DOG PARK IN CHICAGO!!!! read more

We have gone here twice now, and will try to make it as often as possible! Our dog loves this place, and I tell everyone to try it out if they can. There's convenient parking, a lot just off the park. My one piece of advice is to use Google Maps - not Apple (iPhone) Maps in finding the place as Apple doesn't provide the correct directions. In our first visit, our dog was timid and unsure of using the equipment and obstacle courses. But at her second visit she went for it and did almost everything! Don't be discouraged if your dog doesn't seem interested at first, it may take them a few visits to feel comfortable. There are also so many cute and convenient components and features to this park that really help owners out, which I've never seen anywhere else. Poop bags and poop "scrappers" are left at several areas throughout the park, toys are also kept within the park if you forgot or lost yours. It's a very community driven park, and I find that comforting and reassuring. Highly recommend this place! read more

This dog park is super conveniently located near the University of Chicago, so my pup and I like to come by whenever the weather is nice. The hazard-themed agility course is awesome, and we're hoping to learn how to navigate it soon, but for now, they make for great toys for my dog to run around (off-leash). Additionally, there are plenty of toys and poop bags available, and the park is super clean. Going around noon is the best time to run into other dogs, so I'd highly recommend checking it out then! read more

Excellent park for dogs! Tons of amenities and activities, which is great! The park is actually located at 6000 S. Lake Shore Drive (where the tennis courts are). Enjoy! read more

Awesome spot. Giant space, great course, super clean (pick up after your pup!), friendly community, free parking... this place has got it all. Favorite dog park we've found so far! A little hard to find at first, but check the other yelp reviews for directions/maps. read more

I was driving through the area on a trip from the midwest to New York with my dog. I knew she needed a break to get exercise and get all her energy out, so we looked up places in the area. We stopped in here and were so glad we did. It has a bunch of cool stuff for the dogs to play with, and had an awesome "doggy bar" with fresh cold water. The guy who maintains it, Todd, stopped in and we got to talk for a bit. He was very friendly and knowledgeable! We will definitely come back if we're ever in the area again. read more

We visited Jackson Bark for the first time this morning. What a magical place for dogs! It is community operated and has all sorts of agility courses for your pup. With two large areas for social and reserved dogs, there's a place for everyone. Will definitely go back. read more

I have been to this park quite a few times with my BFs German Shepard (Sheba) and my Toy Poodle. Once we started going regularly Sheba came out of her shell and started playing and running with the dogs and even mastered one of the obstacles! I think they have been a bit sad cause we haven't gone in a few months but we will be back shortly! They come home tired and ready for a nap couldn't ask for a better place to socialize with civilized dogs and owners. read more

This is one of my pibble Juniper's new favorite dog parks. It's huge and there's lots of fun things to play on (Juniper is particularly fond of the tether-ball). The people and dogs I've met there are great. The owner's tend to be somewhat experienced and conscientious, which is always useful. The park is unofficial and largely a labor of love for a small group of people who are dedicated to the park. Cleaning is done by volunteers. Everything you see was built and paid for by volunteers. Envision a couple guys in your neighborhood who love dogs get together and build a dog park - and you have Jackson Bark. Come out, enjoy! You and you're dog will be glad you did! read more

I have a Brittany spaniel puppy and this park is a life saver. Its a safe enclosed space where my dog can run without me worrying about him running away. There are a plethora of toys and a large agility course on both sides. I go to this park several times a week and have only had one incident. Of course when you go to a dog park it is possible for another dog to not get along with yours. I messaged todd (who volunteers his time to keeping the park clean and stocked with water and toys) to ask for the other owners information. It was not his responsibility that my pup got hurt but he went the extra step by not only giving me the information i wanted but he also contacted the other owner himself. This is my dogs favorite place to go and the exposure he gets to other dogs is invaluable read more

We brought our now 1 year old German Shepherd when he was around 4 months old and fell in love. Watching him grown on the different obstacles has been so great and we're incredibly thankful that this place exists. Like any place where there are dogs, you have to watch yours as not every dog is going to get along (just like people). Many complain about the cement but the majority of dog parks in the city are all cement because it is the safest (wood chips can lead to choking) and easiest to maintain (dogs dig...turf/grass just don't make sense). If you're a good neighbor/dog owner you'll clean up after your dog and everyone can have a great time. I have encountered other dog owners that aren't as friendly which is fine! I have a great time just me and my dog but some common sense seems to be lacking. A lot of the smaller dog owners refuse to let my big buddy play with their dogs (even though he was raised with a 13 year old pom and is so so gentle with smaller dogs) and try to physically remove their dog mid-play. Other than that I can't complain! Clean, engaging, HUGE, love it. read more

Hands down the best dog park in Chicago. It's actually the best dog park I've been to anywhere. It's clean, spacious and has lots of toys and obstacles for the dogs to play with. There are two halves to the park with a fence in between, so if your dog isn't jiving with another they can be separated. There are poop bags, a first aid kit, water for the dogs....No other city can boast a dog park this cool. It's a gem that should make Chicago proud! read more

This is a great place for Dogs!!! I love this park!!! The dogs and the people are so friendly. I met Todd today and he gave he a brief overview of the history of the park. Thank you Todd, for your labor of love and effort that you have put into this wonderful park. My "Pepper" had such a great time there. I'm so excited about the park that I'm going to add a new furry, member to my family!!! We will definitely be back and we will bring what we can to help out. read more

This park is the best. It's large, has lots of activity and toys and offers options for dogs of different temperaments to play and get good exercise. It also offers free parking!! Generally all of the dogs play together and have free roam of the place, there is always adequate water and it is kept clean. I don't know what we'd do without this place!! read more

Great obstacle course! Lots of fun toys and always nice dogs. One of the only dog parks on the south side.