The city of Brookline knows that pups need to play, so they devised the Green Dog Program, a way for dogs to enjoy the open green spaces during certain times off leash. With several places throughout the city that offer off leash hours in shared community spaces, you are sure to find a pawfect places for your dog to get out those wiggles.
Daniel J. Warren Playground is one such area on the west side of Brookline that offers 11 acres. Named after the playgrounds for the local little two-leggeds, the park also is home to various sports areas suitable for baseball, softball, basketball, pickleball and tennis. Benches and picnic tables provide lovely places to rest, eat or people watch, while paths and trails give lots of opportunities for walks under the shady trees.
Best of all, this space allows your dog to explore a portion of it off leash from dawn to 1 PM each day. Signs are posted, reminding visitors of the rules, but generally you should have a leash on your dog from the parking area until you get to the off leash areas. Then, keep the leash on hand, just in case. From time to time, the off leash hours may be suspended or the area may be closed due to public events such as games, or due to weather and environmental conditions which may compromise the health of the ground and fields. Any closures or off leash hour suspensions will be posted in the park, and are also available on the Green Dog Hotline. Also, the city asks that you keep your dog leashed if there are any work crews in the park during your visit.
In addition, you'll need a Green Dog tag to legally let your dog frolic freely in all the off leash areas in Brookline. An annual permit for residents is $100, while non-residents can get one for $150. If you are just passing through, no worries, because you can get a 2-day permit for $2 and a week permit for $10. Your dog should also be currently licensed and vaccinated for rabies. It is also highly recommended that all dogs be vaccinated for Bordatella and DA2PP.Â
After all your work to get them there, your pup will surely appreciate romping free through Daniel J. Warren Playground, and all the other Green Dog areas throughout the city. Street parking is available in Eliot Street. Be sure to always have water to share with your pup, and clean-up bags, and pick up whatever your pup leaves behind. And keep your pup leashed through the playground outside of off leash hours.
For a puptastic morning of off leash romping, your dog will love the Daniel J. Warren Playground Off Leash Area!