Jacksonville's eight city dog parks with addresses, which beaches allow dogs, two brewery beer gardens that welcome them, and the license and leash rules.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: the City of Jacksonville’s JaxParks specialty parks, Hanna Park and Huguenot Memorial Park pages, Animal Care and Protective Services’ license page, the city’s Ordinance Code and each business’s own website, linked below.

Jacksonville has eight city dog parks, leash-only access to every other city park and a handful of patios and beer gardens that welcome dogs. The rules differ sharply at the beach: Hanna Park allows leashed dogs in designated areas, while Huguenot Memorial Park does not allow them on the shoreline at all.

Who to call

  • Animal Care and Protective Services, loose or lost animals, licenses: 630-CITY (904-630-2489); jaxpets@coj.net
  • JaxParks: jaxparks@coj.net
  • Hanna Park: 904-255-6767

City dog parks

All are open sunrise to sunset, per the city’s specialty parks page.

Dog park Address Area
Alberts Field 12073 Brady Road, 32223 Mandarin
Springfield Playground and Dog Park 949 Hubbard St., 32206 Springfield
Ed Austin Regional Park 11751 McCormick Road, 32225 Arlington
Forest Street Dog Park 2020 Forest St., Unit 1, 32204 Near downtown
John Gorrie Park/Riverside Park 631-745 College St., 32204 Riverside
Leonard Abess Park 12743 Leonard Abess Blvd., 32225 Arlington
Oceanway Dog Park 12201 Sago Ave. W., 32218 Northside
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park 7000 Roosevelt Blvd., 32244 Westside

The Springfield group of parks includes a fenced 2.87-acre dog park alongside a fountain, statues and a playground. Forest Street Dog Park sits beside the city’s Animal Care and Protective Services shelter. Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is a 500-acre park with a nature center, trails and a 35-foot observation tower, so a dog park visit can be paired with a leashed walk.

Leash rules

  • City parks: “Dogs are allowed in all parks if they are on a leash,” the city says. Off-leash play is for the fenced dog parks above.
  • The ordinance: animal control rules are in Chapter 462 of the Jacksonville Ordinance Code, which Animal Care and Protective Services enforces. Report an animal at large to 630-CITY.
  • License: dogs, cats and ferrets need an annual rabies vaccination and a City of Jacksonville rabies license, $20 a year. Owners 62 and older, or 100% disabled, can register up to three animals free. Your vet sells the tag, or buy it through PetData. Residents of Baldwin and the Beaches cities license through their own municipality.

Beaches

  • Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, 500 Wonderwood Drive: leashed pets, on a leash of 8 feet or less, in designated areas only. Entry is $5 a car.
  • Huguenot Memorial Park, 10980 Heckscher Drive: day-use visitors may not bring dogs, and dogs are not allowed on any shoreline at any time, in or out of vehicles. Registered campers may keep leashed dogs at their site but may never leave them alone.

Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach are separate cities with their own pet rules; check with each city before you go.

Patios and beer gardens

We list businesses only when their own website says dogs are welcome. Policies change, so call ahead.

  • Aardwolf Brewing Company, 1461 Hendricks Ave., San Marco: service animals only in the taproom, with “plenty of space for your furry friends in the beer garden,” its FAQ says. There is a lot behind the building.
  • Wicked Barley Brewing Company, 4100 Baymeadows Road; 904-379-7077: a covered patio and a “pet friendly waterfront beer garden,” with a boat dock.

Restaurants and bars with a dog-friendly patio inside Jacksonville can send details, with a link to the page that says so, through our contact page.

What this means for you

  • Bring a leash everywhere outside the fenced dog parks.
  • Leave dogs at home for a day at Huguenot; Hanna Park is the city’s dog-friendly beach option, in designated areas.
  • Keep the rabies license current; the tag is $20 a year.

Related: parks and trails, walking and biking trails and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the dog parks in Jacksonville?

JaxParks lists eight: Alberts Field, Springfield, Ed Austin Regional Park, Forest Street, John Gorrie/Riverside Park, Leonard Abess Park, Oceanway and Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park. All are open sunrise to sunset.

Are dogs allowed in Jacksonville city parks?

Yes, on a leash. The city’s specialty parks page says dogs are allowed in all parks if they are on a leash; off-leash play is for the fenced dog parks.

Can I take my dog to Huguenot Memorial Park?

No, not for day use. The city says day-use visitors may not bring dogs, and dogs are not allowed on any shoreline at any time. Registered campers may keep leashed dogs at their site.

Can dogs go to Hanna Park?

Yes, in designated areas only, on a leash of 8 feet or less, according to the city’s Hanna Park rules.

Do I need a license for my dog in Jacksonville?

Yes. Dogs, cats and ferrets in the city need an annual rabies vaccination and a City of Jacksonville rabies license, $20 a year; owners 62 and older or 100% disabled can register up to three pets free.