Normandale Dog Park
Three fenced sections under a pine canopy with golden-hour sunsets
About this park
Normandale Dog Park is a large fenced park in Northeast Portland with three separate enclosures (large dogs, mixed/medium dogs, and a small-dog area) under a canopy of mature pines and a ginkgo tree that makes it one of the more scenic spots in the city. Two water spigots serve the main area, and the golden-hour light here draws rave reviews. A recurring concern in reviews is fence height: dogs have been observed jumping the relatively short fences between sections.
Amenities
Normandale Dog Park reviews
What visitors consistently sayReviewers rave about the tree canopy (pines plus a ginkgo) and call out Normandale's golden-hour light as some of the best in the city. The dedicated small-dog enclosure is a recurring favorite for owners of less social or tiny dogs.
Best for
Before you go
Parking is on the surrounding residential streets and generally manageable on weekday afternoons. The fences between sections are not tall, so keep an eye on jumpers, especially if your dog is small or reactive.
Frequently asked
- Is Normandale Dog Park the same as Normandale Park?
- The fenced enclosures are the dog park. The surrounding grounds, with the baseball fields, playground, and shade trees, are covered on the Normandale Park page.
- How many separate areas are there?
- Three: a large-dog run, a mixed or medium pen, and a small-dog enclosure. Gates connect them, so switching areas does not mean walking back out to the street.
- What is the surface?
- Bark, sand, and dirt. No grass inside any of the dog areas, which is what keeps the mud down through a wet winter.
- Is there water?
- Two water stations serve the mixed-dog area, fed by a spigot, so refills are not rationed. There are no trash cans inside the enclosures.
- Is it safe for small dogs?
- The small-dog enclosure exists for exactly that, but reviewers warn the fences are short enough for a motivated dog to clear, and several report large dogs bullying dogs under 35 pounds.
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Normandale Park
Three fenced pens and a small-dog side, mud-tamed by bark chips
Laurelhurst Park
Iconic duck pond with a dedicated off-leash area under old-growth trees
Off-Leash Dog Area
Separate small and large-dog runs in Portland's Pearl District