Cranbury dog park - Norwalk, CT
Cranbury Dog Park in Norwalk, Connecticut is a top destination for pet owners looking for a welcoming, off-leash experience in Fairfield County. Nestled within scenic Cranbury Park, this dog park offers spacious wooded trails perfect for dog-friendly hiking and exploring nature together. The trails are mostly unmarked, but the entire area is pet-friendly and ideal for adventurous dogs with good recall. Reviewers rave about its sense of community among local dog owners and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere that makes every visit enjoyable.
The park is known for its accessibility, providing wheelchair accessible entrances and parking, and is also a great choice for families: kids will enjoy nearby playgrounds, picnic tables, and open grassy spaces. Activities like hiking, frisbee, and even swings make it more than just a standard dog park. While residents enter for free, non-residents pay a small fee during peak summer months, which helps with park maintenance and improvements. Dogs are welcome off-leash, and there are public restrooms and plenty of spaces to rest or picnic nearby.
FAQ
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, Cranbury Dog Park is an off-leash area where dogs can freely explore the woods and trails.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park features wooded trails ideal for dog-friendly hikes.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, public restrooms are available at the park.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, there are wheelchair accessible entrances and parking lots.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, there is a playground and kid-friendly hikes, making it a great family outing location.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Norwalk residents enter for free, but there is a small fee for non-residents from May 15 to October 15.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there are picnic tables and areas for picnicking.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Yes, the park can get muddy after rain or snow melt, so plan accordingly.
- Is parking available? Yes, parking is available though there may be a fee for non-residents during certain months.
Reviews
Whoever donated this park to the Norwalk Community clearly loved dogs! It’s one of the best local places to go and get lost in with my faithful canine friend to keep me company, as we explore all corners of this amazing property. I’ll even come during summer months and pay the ? cos it’s so worth the money, and if it helps keep it going, then all in.
Our Maggie absolutely adores the park. She starts whining halfway up Kensett Avenue and then starts her full whining and yelping and yipping when she can see the park.
I am very fortunate insofar as Maggie stays with me when we walk the woods; if she does stray a bit – chasing squirrels and such – usually a couple of “hey hey Maggie Mae – where’s my MaggieNULL” and she will coming running up to me.
Usually.
There is the occasional longer foray into the woods, but I’ll just find a seat on a rock, or a fallen tree, and she’ll eventually run up looking like “what’s up – why aren’t you moving?”
Can’t say enough good things about this park. The dog parents are so friendly for the most part and I’ve never met a dog that’s aggressive towards me. I’ve found that saying “what a good dog you are!” as the first thing I say to them lets them see I’m not a threat. At least that’s what I THINK they’re thinking. 😁
Sorry if this is too long. I tend to rattle on once I get started.
By far the nicest place to walk our dog.
This is a fun, off leash park with lots of wooded trails. The trails are not super well-marked, but it’s hard to get lost. There are also unfenced private properties bordering the grounds, so make sure your dog has good recall. It’s free if you are a Norwalk resident, but you have to pay a NULL.5 fee from May 15-October 15 if you are not a Norwalk resident. You can pay via an app of a paystation.
Airplanes interrupt the serenity and the mansion didn’t seem all that big. Plus NULL for parking is ridiculous. NULL would be much more practical. At NULL, we’re going to be creeping up on 1k. I’m not sure how enforced this is but it was shocking and further chipped away at our peace (we didn’t bring money to go to the park; our first time). Dogs are running around but we see that as a perk. Still, nice reprieve from our busy road.
I love Cranbury Park. My human let’s me off the leash right when we get there and I go nuts for about 3 minutes then I chill out. We do this huge loop through the woods where these other humans in packs of 4 are throwing frisbees. But I’m in here for the tennis balls, and sniffing other dog butts. So many dog butts! Weekends are great too, I once saw a stupid cat on a leash. What a joke. I barked so much to tell it what I thought of it.. dumb cat. Anyways, there’s this big field we canines can’t go on.. but no one ever says anything and I’m obviously a handsome boy so no one cares. Don’t go after a rain or snow melt.. it’s all mud and my human doesn’t like cleaning me up after. That’s his problem though.