Dog Walking Island — Attraction in Town of Tonawanda

After years of exploring various spots with our family dog, Winnie, a majestic Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, we've finally settled on what I can confidently call her favorite playground: the Ellicott Island Bark Park in Tonawanda, NY. What a gem this place is! Surrounded by the calm waters of Ellicott Creek, it's an island retreat where Winnie can romp around off-leash, splash in the water, and simply be her joyful, energetic self.

The first time we visited, I was immediately struck by the sense of community and the welcoming atmosphere. The park's natural boundary of water means Winnie can explore freely without the worry of her wandering too far. And the trees! They provide ample shade, making even the warmest days comfortable for both pets and humans.

But what truly makes our trips to the park special are the moments shared with our boys, August, Enzo, and Roman. Watching them play and interact with Winnie in this idyllic setting is a joy in itself. They've formed friendships with other dog owners and their pets, turning each visit into a social outing filled with laughter and play.

Ellicott Island Bark Park offers more than just a space for Winnie to exercise. It's equipped with conveniences like fresh water stations, picnic shelters, and well-placed garbage cans, making our visits hassle-free and enjoyable. It's evident that the park is well-loved and maintained by the community, with gardens and clean facilities that welcome everyone – two-legged and four-legged alike.

In all, Ellicott Island Bark Park isn't just a dog park; it's a little slice of paradise where Winnie, the boys, and I can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. It's a place where memories are made, and where the joy of simply being together in nature is enough. We're incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic spot nearby, and I can't recommend it enough to fellow dog lovers. Winnie's wagging tail and eager leaps into the car every time I mention 'park' say it all – this place is...

Probably the best off-leash dog park ever. We bring our large breed girl there multiple times a week.

The paths are well marked so even when there is snowfall, you can stay on the trail. It’s wonderfully shady in the summer, and absolutely scenic in the fall and winter.

Spring to fall when the washrooms are open, they are clean and well maintained and I appreciate that there is a hose with water for the dogs during the warmer months.

If you have a small dog who is accustomed to a separate small dog area this may not be the park for you as there is no dedicated small dog section.

If you decide to make use of the picnic tables on the island, I would expect to share some of your food with the dogs as they will more than likely come to investigate the delicious smells.

While there once was some playground equipment, it does not seem to be there any longer and the last remaining swing hasn’t been up since the fall of 2023. If the dogs aren’t the attraction there’s not really much for children to do. And it should be noted not all dogs are good with children so it’s always advisable to ask before petting.

now closed...

Upon arriving, our dog was lunged at by a pair of dogs in the parking lot (my dog was still in the back of our vehicle at the time!). This same pair of dogs then went into the "dog Island". Uneasy with the intensity of these two dogs, we waited behind to see how the interactions between these dogs would go before bringing our own dog into the park, and for this I am grateful.

Before we even got to the entrance gate two different, massive dog fights broke out resulting in multiple-dog pile-ons. The aforementioned agonistic dogs were contributing factors in these altercations, and were not removed from the grounds post-altercation. The owner did nothing and allowed their dogs to continue to harass other patrons of the park, oblivious.

Not even five minutes into this experience, it was apparent this was not an area that I'd ever subject my dog-- or recommend anyone else subject their dogs to. We turned around and left. All dogs are individuals. Not all dogs enjoy dog parks. Know your dog, and go at...