L.A. Unleashed

• Review
• Monday, August 25, 2008

Got a dog that loves to run free and doesn't care about harsh legalities or deadly traffic? Lead Fido or Fidette over to one of the city's thoughtful off-leash dog parks for a romp sans restraints. Some choices:

1. Griffith Park Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/griffithParkDogPk.htm), just north of the soccer field on North Zoo Drive, offers 1.6 acres and has a separate area for smaller or more sensitive doggies. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

2. Laurel Canyon Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/laurelCynDogPk.htm), nestled in the hills of Studio City, features three acres off off-leash area plus a small children's playground (the children are fenced in, the dogs are not). Open daily; Saturday-Thursday, 6 AM-sunset; Friday, 11 AM-sunset.

3. Barrington Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/barringtonDogPk.htm), in snazzy Brentwood, provides 1.5 acres for the pooches and 40 parking spaces for their owners. Open daily, dawn to dusk.

4. Silverlake Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/silverLakeDogPk.htm), between Hollywood and downtown is popular, convenient, and features 1.25 acres of off-leash space. Parking (street only) can be a bit tricky here. Open daily, early morning until 10 PM.

5. Runyon Canyon Dog Park (www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/runyonCynDogPk.htm), in the Hollywood Hills and with marvelous views, is a huge 160-acre expanse with 90 acres devoted to off-leash luxury. Hiking trails and a children's play area are other features. Open daily, dawn to dusk.