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Thorndike Park Dog Park

Thorndike Park Dog Park in Arlington, MA, is a great place for Fido to run and play off-leash. This fenced area features benches, agility equipment and drinking water for Fido. Visit Website

Or call (781) 316-3880 or email recoffice@town.arlington.ma.us for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating

Thorndike Park Dog Park has received a rating of 3.8 out of 5 bones by 15 canine critics on BringFido.

  • Violet
    Jan 3, 2024
    The park is okay, but...

    I went to Thorndike last week with my dog. He likes other pups, but not when they're mean. Which is exactly what happened last week. My dog was running around and playing with some smaller dogs, not aggressively or anything. He seemed to be having a great time, but next thing I know, a huge Rottweiler was growling at him. My dog was terrified, so he ran away, but the Rottweiler chased after him at lightning speed. I asked the other people there whose dog it was, and a lady said he was hers. I told her that she needed to calm her dog down because he was scaring my dog and being aggressive. She said "What's the big deal? Your dog needs to toughen up." I was furious. I ran over to my dog and saw he was hiding in a corner. The Rottweiler walked off after I came over, but I decided to take my dog home.

  • Sue
    Jun 27, 2023
    Good park if you go at the right time

    come here on a Saturday at 10:30a - no thanks. Aggressive dogs and over-tired dog parents.

    weekdays after 6p especially in the spring/summer/fall - totally great. friendly dog parents and a great mix of large and small dogs.

    there is water tap for dogs with a (beat up) bowl, some half-buried pipes, rocks, stairs, and a doggie agility ramp/walk. Exclusive small dog area as well. plenty of poop bags. come at the right time and you’ll enjoy it!

  • Laura
    Jun 14, 2022
    Unpredictable sadly

    Really wonderful park but unfortunately there are dogs that come in who’s behavior isn’t appropriate, I.E humping, loud barking, and aggressive! My 6 month old cattle dog mix Haven who loves other dogs and needs the social interactions was jumped on during multiple occasions at one time but different dogs- One owner even stepped forward to say that’s how her dog plays (if your dog is grabbing mine around the neck and pinning her into the dirt while growling that is not play!). Haven and I had a great time here however on two occasions so that’s what’s sad- it’s so close by I just wish owners were more respectful and understanding if your dog isn’t dog friendly/understanding of dog body language or if they need a break and are getting overstimulated please exit the park. You are ruining this beautiful place for other dog owners.

  • Jacob
    Mar 24, 2022
    The Bronx

    this park is well known by us and many of our friends as “the brox”. it’s full of aggressive dogs and owners that do not watch their dogs. I’ve been here ~5x and 4 of them my dog was attacked and the owners did nothing.

  • J
    Dec 2, 2021
    At your own risk

    The first time we brought our puppy it was great. He used the agility equipment, met a friend, and dog owners were relatively attentive but detached from their dogs. The second visit only lasted minutes. The owners were not paying attention and my dog was practically attacked in 2 different areas of the park. I had a hard time pulling the other dogs off my puppy and then got the hell out of there. We will not go back.

  • Laura
    More than a year ago
    Best park in mass

    I love this park so much. I take my dog here and even though she's shy the dogs are well behaved. People are super friendly. Love that there is water right there. I drive about 30 mins to get here but it's so worth it. I wish we had something like this in my city. Also, I never seem to have a problem with the gravel they put down. My dog runs on it just fine.

  • Kayla
    More than a year ago
    Great park in a great area!

    I just moved to Medford and this was the closest (and nicest) looking dog park I could find. It is in a super pretty area with a soccer field, a play ground, and walking trails. This park has a lot of shade and places for people to sit. There isn't an overwhelming amount of exciting surfaces for the dogs to play on (mostly just gravel and some concrete) but there was plenty of space to run around. I am definitely coming here again!

  • Milo
    More than a year ago
    Great Park!!

    This was the first off leash park I've taken my 5 month old puppy. He did wonderful! The dogs and owners were super friendly, and the park was well kept! I felt happy to know my pup had space to do his thing and not have to worry about any safety issues. I will be returning more often to this park for sure!!

  • Gina
    More than a year ago
    great park

    My friend and I brought our dogs here for the first time. They both loved it. The park is a decent size and there's plenty of benches for us pawrents to sit. Everyone there was super nice. We'll definitely be back again!

  • Jack
    More than a year ago
    Great find!

    Just visited this park .It was very accommodating even for our 10 mos .old shar-rpei pup ,he blended in with the pack and although it was a short stay he was satisfied! friendly people ,behaved pets ,enclosed for pet safety ,shade ,seating & H2O !

  • Elizabeth
    More than a year ago
    Perfect dog park!

    We have an adequate fenced yard but my dog LIVES to play with other dogs, so we drive around testing out various fenced parks. (She's a puppy and not quite ready for unfenced recreation.) Thorndike field dog park is my favorite. Plenty of free parking, adequate shaded seating for owners, trash cans and running water with large communal bowls. Someone else complained about the gravel but I personally prefer gravel to sand or dusty wood chips because my dog stays clean. Two thumbs up!

  • Sarah
    More than a year ago
    park? more like a prison yard

    This isn't a favorite for the dog parks in Massachusetts. The gravel makes it difficult for my dog to run around as gravel gets stuck in his paws. Also the gravel gets extremely hot in summer and subzero in the winter months. I wish it was dirt or mulch.

  • Henry
    More than a year ago
    FANTASTIC!

    Amazing, amazing park! Shaded benches, fresh water, fun obstacles for my energetic puppy to climb over, under and through! So far, most people that we've met here are super friendly and I always enjoy having good conversation with the other owners. The park is large enough that when 20-30 dogs are here, they can break off into their own groups (rambunctious wrestlers, quieter sniffers, etc) and still have plenty of place to play and feel comfortable. All types of puppy personalities come here but I've never seen or had any issues with other dogs. Most owners seem to be very responsible and keep an eye on their pups, so that helps keep everything under control as well!

    THANK YOU, City of Arlington! I would honestly PAY out of my pocket to keep this park running and clean. Absolutely and oasis for every local pup!

  • Cooper
    More than a year ago
    Awesome!

    They thought of absolutely everything, kudos to the people behind opening this dog park!! From the 2 fresh water fountains, to the obstacles, separate fenced in area for shy or very petite visitors, the big tree in the center to seating for humans....they thought of absolutely everything. We love this place!!

  • Rachael
    More than a year ago
    Best Dog Park Ever!!!

    OMG!!!! So worth the 40 minute drive; HUGE fenced area with obstacles and water fountain!!! Near other sports fields, and trails!!! Great parking, easy to find, and the only one like it near us!!!

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