If you walk around Canary Wharf and you are looking for a fenced dog park, you can find and enjoy a dog exercise area in Sir John McDougalls Gardens. These are located in the middle West side of Canary Wharf’s peninsula, between Westferry Road and the Thames Path. The nearest DLR station is Crossharbour. Dogs are allowed in the Gardens whilst only on the lead, except for the dedicated enclosed dog exercise area, where they can run free. Read our review of the area in this blog post.
The Dog Exercise Area
Dog AREA Review
Sir John McDougalls Gardens, Westferry Road, Crossharbour, Canary Wharf, London E14
Safety: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ /★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
- Fences: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (3 stars for large dogs, 5 stars for small ones)
- Gates: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Maintenance: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Size: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ / ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
APPROVEDSize and facilities
The dog area develops in lenght and has a good size (it develops in lenght with a wider area next to the Thames Path), allowing proper runs while fetching a ball or playing with other dogs. I have been in contact with Tower Hamlets’ Council and they confirmed that the area is about 1,800 square meters large (which is around 19,375.04 square feet).
There is a big lawn, as well as several trees and bushes within the space. The area is provided with a bench as well as with two dog waste bins and a general waste one.
Fences and Gates
- Fence type: metal railings
- Min. fence height: approx. 1 m – approx. 3.28 feet
- Space between bars: 10 cm – approx. 3.94 inches
- No. of gates: 3
The dog area is fully enclosed.
Of the three entrances, two look on the main Gardens, while one access is located on the Thames Path, running along one of the short sides of the area. I found the locks of the gates were working fine at the time of our visit, except for the Thames Path’s entrance one (which you can still close anyway).
The fence surrounding the dog area on the Gardens’ and Thames Path’s sides consists in metal railings approximately 3.28 feet high, with a space between bars of less than 3.94 inches, while the boundary with the residential area and with the road is limited by a higher fence in front of which bushes and trees were planted.
In the part which is closest to the entrance on Westferry Road, there are some metal plates to close the space underneath the fence, so that small dogs cannot escape.
Maintenance
At the time of our visit the area appeared well maintained and clean, as well as clear of dog mess. The only thing that would need an intevention would be the Thames Path entrance’s lock.
Conclusions
The area is very nice and enjoyable, beautifully located right off the Thames Path, so you can conveniently stop by any time you have a longer walk on the Path. However, given the limited height of the fence, I would recommend being careful with large dogs, that could jump over it. I believe that the metal plates and the limited distance between bars make it safe for small dogs.
! IMPORTANT NOTE !
The survival of dog exercise areas largely depend from the behaviour of dog owners visiting them. Be considerate and always remember to clean after your dog in the dog area: complaints about dog fouling often lead to the removal of dog areas!
Did you visit the dog area and have any further observations or updates? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below!
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Hi. I think your website for dogs is fantastic information as it is very difficult these days to find
somewhere safe and decent fenced areas for our dogs. I really find your website full of helpful
advice an also travelling information I thank you so much for your website
Hello Sam, Many thanks for your message. I am glad that you find useful the information provided. I will be posting more about enclosed dog areas, hopefully this will provide with some more tips about nice places to visit with your dog. All the Best
This site is a god sent please keep adding more enclosed dog parks as you hear about them! We went to this one today with our dog (spaniel sized) and there was a gap under the fence by the gate and the bottom (far side from the canal) which is big enough for him to get through. He was interested in trying the gap but fortunately we kept him in the field. Hopefully the counsel will fix it?
Hi Lauren,
Great to hear this is of help! and that your dog didn’t escape through the gaps!
I guess you have seen the map on the Enclosed Dog Parks dedicated page? Also you may be interested in joining our Enclosed Dog Parks Facebook Group for further chats.
Best wishes
Cristina