Riding Meadow Park

About this park

A Fox Chapel off-leash area ten miles northeast of downtown, with about 2.5 miles of looping trails through woods, a meadow, and a creek that cuts through the middle of the property. Dogs run off-leash unfenced on the trails, which is why reviewers explicitly flag that this is a recall-only park.

Amenities

Best for

Frequently asked

Is Riding Meadow Park fenced or off-leash?

It's an unfenced off-leash area, so dogs run loose on the trails with no perimeter fence. Reviewers are blunt that it only works for dogs with reliable recall.

Can dogs swim in the creek?

Yes. A creek runs through the property with a small waterfall and pools deep enough for dogs to get in and cool off, and reviewers describe spots where dogs actually swim.

Do you need a permit or fee to park?

Parking requires a Fox Chapel annual permit bought ahead of time at the borough library, and there is no day-pass option. The lot sits across the street from the trailhead.

Is there an easy trail and a harder one?

Both. Going straight or left from the gate keeps you on a flat gravel-and-grass path, while the green-arrow trail on the right climbs some hills. They connect into a loop of about 2.5 miles.

Will my dog get muddy here?

Expect it, especially after rain. The lower trails hold mud, so stick to the flat gravel loop on wet days and plan on a wet, dirty dog after any creek time.