Dogs are Welcome at Cottage West!

However, since the yard is shared with our home (and small children), we do ask that dogs remain leashed while on the property. We love dogs (and cats, and all number of other pets) at Cottage West, but we know that your furbabies occasionally need room to run.

We've got you covered! Here are some of the best dog parks near Kansas City, MO—covering both public and private venues, with options for off-leash fun, water access, and events:

🐕 Top Public Off‑Leash Parks

• Bar K Dog Bar – A spacious 2-acre, fully-staffed off-leash park at Berkley Riverfront Park. Features separate areas for small dogs, an indoor/outdoor bar, events, food, beer, grooming, and training. Day passes available with membership options.

• Swope Park Off‑Leash Dog Park – Five acres split for large and small dogs, with water fountains and open from 5 a.m. to midnight daily. Set within Swope Park, offering lots of space and activities nearby.

• Wayside Waifs Bark Park – A 5-acre fenced park with agility equipment, covered pavilions, lighting, “time-out kennels,” water stations. Membership required; proceeds support the animal shelter.

• Penn Valley Off‑Leash Dog Park – A 2.7-acre enclosed area with separate sections for large and small/elderly dogs, plus human/dog water fountains. Open daily from 5 a.m. to midnight.

• West Terrace Dog Park – Membership-only 1.5-acre park near the river with benches, shade, fountains, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (new memberships currently paused).

🌳 Other Excellent Options in the Metro

• Waggin’ Trail Off‑Leash Dog Park (North Kansas City) – A 4.7-acre park featuring agility courses, benches, ADA fountains, a walking trail, and tunnels.

• Shawnee Mission Park Off‑Leash (Shawnee, KS) – A massive 44-acre space with a lake/beach area, trails, woods—open year-round, but fenced areas may have gaps near the water.

• Leawoof Dog Park (Leawood, KS) – A large, well-maintained fenced area with agility and shade.

• Liberty Dog Park (Liberty, MO) – Three acres for large dogs, with agility tunnels, benches, a fire hydrant feature, and water spigot.

🏡 Private & Reserve‑Only Options

• CITYDOGs KC (Crossroads District) – A reservation-only private off-leash park; $20/hour for the first dog, $5 per additional dog. Vaccinations required.

• Sniffspot Private Locations – Rent-by-the-hour fully or partially fenced dog parks through Sniffspot, offering private trails, agility equipment, water features—and excellent ratings in Northland and South KC suburbs.

🐶 Local Recommendations from Dog Owners

Reddit users in r/kansascity highlight Shawnee Mission Park and Stoll Memorial Park (Overland Park/JoCo) as standout choices:

“Shawnee Mission Park is great!” … “Stoll dog park is the BEST. … Five out of five bones.”

Summary Table

Park	Type	Size	Notable Features
Bar K Dog Bar	Public (with bar)	~2 acres	Food/drinks, staff, events
Swope Park	Public	5 acres	Fountains, day/night access
Wayside Waifs	Public	5 acres	Agility, pavilion, shelter support
Penn Valley	Public	2.7 acres	Split areas, fountains
West Terrace	Public (members)	1.5 acres	River view, amenities
Waggin’ Trail	Public	4.7 acres	Trails, agility, tunnels
Shawnee Mission	Public (KS)	44 acres	Lake/beach, wooded trails
Leawoof	Public (KS)	Varies	Agility, shade
Liberty	Public	3 acres	Agility, amenities
CITYDOGs KC	Private/reserve	Small	Reserve per hour
Sniffspot	Private	Varies	Bookable yards/trails

✅ Tips & Next Steps

1. Decide your vibe: Want water and big woods? Try Shawnee Mission, Swope, or the large Sniffspot spaces. Prefer a community feel with food/drinks? Go to Bar K.

2. Check before you go: Many parks require membership or appointments (notably Wayside Waifs, West Terrace, CITYDOGs).

3. Safety note: Keep an eye on dogs around unsupervised areas—Shawnee Mission has some fence gaps at the water’s edge.

4. Explore private options: Sniffspot spots are excellent if you prefer a quieter, more controlled experience

What Are Folks Saying About Cottage West?

Well, good things of course! Here are a few of our reviews...