Central Bark Dog Park is Irvine’s top place for pups

Central Bark features nearly 3 acres of open field for off-leash play, with three water stations.

“The grass, the shade, the people – everything.”

That’s Robbin Glatman’s answer when asked what it is she likes about Central Bark Dog Park in Irvine.

Glatman was out there on a recent morning with her little terrier rescue, Vernon.

“When I say, ‘Let’s go to the park,’ he goes crazy,” she says of Vernon. “He loves it.”

And what dog wouldn’t?

Central Bark features nearly 3 acres of open field for off-leash play, with three water stations. A fence divides the grassy area so that small and older dogs, like Vernon, have their own space and can feel safe.

The best part of Central Bark is the community, says Glatman, who told me she has been coming here for 14 years. She comes nearly every day for two hours.

“I’ve met so many neat people here,” she says. “And we share the same love of dogs.”

Glatman says the park is the scene of the occasional dog party – as well as meetups for corgis, Frenchies and other breeds.

If your dog likes to mix and mingle, then go early mornings and evenings when people bring their pets before and after work. Weekends also get busy.

Central Bark is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (except Wednesdays). For more information, visit cityofirvine.org/parks-facilities/central-bark-dog-park.


  • Helping you hike

    One reason why hiking on The Irvine Ranch is so rewarding is due to the good work of the Irvine …

  • 10,000 steps at Mason Regional Park 

    On a recent Sunday in between late-winter rainstorms, I spent a sunny morning at Irvine’s 339-acre William R. Mason Regional …

  • New ways to explore Irvine’s wilderness

    Hikers, bikers and picnickers now have new ways to enjoy Irvine’s northern open space crown jewels: over 20,000 acres designated …

  • A walker’s paradise

    Editor’s note: This is the first of a regular column that shares with readers cool locations in Irvine to log …