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Going to the Dogs: Dog-Friendly, Patios, Parks & More in Kansas City

Don't leave Fido out of the family fun!

By Melissa Basgall, Editor and Publisher! August 9, 2024

Kansas City is going to the dogs! We love our four-legged family members, and it's always fun to take them to new places. Here are some upcoming Kansas Cityevents, along with patios and dog parks where well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Should you take your dog? 

Before choosing to take your dog out and about in Kansas Cityconsider whether your dog (and you!) will have a good experience. Typically, well-behaved, socialized dogs who are comfortable around people and other dogs are ideal for these settings. Ensuring your dog is friendly, leash-trained, and non-disruptive will help everyone enjoy their time. Always check specific venue policies and consider your dog's temperament to ensure a pleasant outing for all.


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Dog-Friendly Patios in Kansas City

We asked on Facebook ... and doggone it, you answered! Here are the restaurants, breweries, and bars in Kansas City you told us have dog-friendly patios.

(Please note: We have double-checked these recommendations, but rules change from time to time, so it's always best to call ahead and ask if it's okay to bring your pooch!)


๐ŸถChicken N Pickle at 1761 Burlington St and 5901 W 135th St welcomes dogs and offers plenty of outdoor seating options

๐Ÿถ Bar K at 501 Berkley Pkwy. combines a restaurant, bar, and large dog park, making it a great place for both you and your dog to socialize and relax

๐ŸถCasual Animal Brewing at 1725 McGee St. allows dogs indoors, providing a cozy atmosphere for enjoying craft beers with your pet

๐ŸถThe Westside Local at 1663 Summit St. encourages dogs on their patio, offering a laid-back dining experience

๐Ÿถ La Bodega at 703 Southwest Blvd. Spanish tapas on their dog-friendly sidewalk patio where they’ll serve your pup water in a fancy bowl.

๐Ÿถ Kansas City Bier Company at 310 W 79th St has a traditional German Biergarten with a designated dog seating area

๐Ÿถ Char Bar at 4050 Pennsylvania and 15348 Old Town Dr (Parkville) features yard games and a spacious patio, perfect for a BBQ outing with your pet

๐Ÿถ McLain’s Market (multiple locations) offers pastries, snacks, and a welcoming outdoor space for pets

These are just a handful of local spots that are welcoming to your kids and four-legged friends in Kansas City! What are some of your ๐Ÿถ friendly favorites in KC?






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Dog Parks Across the Kansas City Metro

Kansas City, MO:

Penn Valley Off-Leash Dog Park

  • Address: 29th and Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
  • Details: This 2.7-acre park features separate areas for large and small dogs, a pond, and shaded spots. It’s a popular downtown location.

Swope Park Off-Leash Dog Park

  • Address: 4701 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64132
  • Details: A spacious 5.5-acre park with agility equipment, water fountains, and separate areas for large and small dogs.

West Terrace Dog Park

  • Address: 750 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105
  • Details: Located in the West Bottoms area, this smaller park offers a scenic view of downtown Kansas City.

Wayside Waifs Bark Park

  • Address: 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64137
  • Details: Requires a membership. Features include separate areas for small and large dogs, agility equipment, and a pond.

Olathe, KS:

Heritage Park Dog Off-Leash Area

  • Address: 16050 Pflumm Road, Olathe, KS 66062
  • Details: A large 30-acre dog park with open space, trails, and a pond, perfect for dogs who enjoy running and swimming.

Prairie Center Park Dog Park

  • Address: 555 N Olathe View Rd, Olathe, KS 66061
  • Details: A smaller, fenced dog park offering a quiet space within Prairie Center Park.

Overland Park, KS:

Stoll Park Dog Park

  • Address: 12500 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66213
  • Details: This 7-acre park includes open fields, wooded areas, and a pond. The park has shaded areas and benches for pet owners.

Lenexa, KS:

Ad Astra Park Dog Park

  • Address: 8265 Maurer Rd, Lenexa, KS 66219
  • Details: A 5-acre fenced dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs, as well as shaded seating and water fountains.

Electric Park Dog Park

  • Address: 93rd & Loiret Blvd, Lenexa, KS 66219
  • Details: A 2.5-acre fenced area with separate spaces for large and small dogs, and it includes water fountains and agility equipment.

Shawnee, KS:

Shawnee Mission Park Dog Off-Leash Area

  • Address: 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS 66219
  • Details: A huge 53-acre dog park featuring a lake for swimming, wooded trails, and open fields. It’s one of the most popular dog parks in the metro area.

Leawood, KS:

Leawoof Dog Park

  • Address: 10601 Lee Blvd, Leawood, KS 66206
  • Details: This is a 5-acre off-leash dog park that offers separate areas for large and small dogs. The park features agility equipment, shaded areas, benches, and water fountains. It’s a popular spot for local dog owners and is well-maintained by the city of Leawood

Northland, Kansas City, MO:

Happy Rock Park Dog Off-Leash Area

  • Address: 7600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119
  • Details: This 2-acre fenced park offers separate areas for large and small dogs, shaded benches, and water stations.

English Landing Dog Park

  • Address: 8701 McAfee St, Parkville, MO 64152
  • Details: Located in English Landing Park along the Missouri River, this dog park offers scenic views and open space for dogs to play, with separate areas for small and large dogs.

Kansas City, KS:

Wyandotte County Lake Off-Leash Dog Park

  • Address: 3488 West Drive, Kansas City, KS 66109
  • Details: This park is located within Wyandotte County Lake Park. It has a large, fenced area where dogs can run off-leash. The park is surrounded by wooded areas and a lake, offering a more natural setting.

Stony Point Park Dog Park

  • Address: 527 N 86th St, Kansas City, KS 66112
  • Details: A smaller community park with a designated off-leash area for dogs. The park is well-maintained and offers a peaceful environment for dogs and their owners.

Leavenworth, KS:

Waggin' Tails Dog Park

  • Address: 1720 S 4th St, Leavenworth, KS 66048
  • Details: A 3-acre fenced dog park located within Veterans Memorial Park. It features separate areas for large and small dogs, water fountains, and shaded seating areas.

Bonner Springs, KS:

Shelton Memorial Park Off-Leash Dog Park

  • Address: 100 S 20th St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012
  • Details: This dog park is part of the larger Shelton Memorial Park and offers a fenced area where dogs can run off-leash. The park has open spaces and shaded areas.



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Kansas City Animal Shelters and Volunteer Opportunities

These might not be the best places to take your own dog, but we wanted to give our Kansas City area shelters a shout-out too and let you know about potential volunteer opportunities for your family that give you a chance to make a difference in the lives of pooches in need in Kansas City! The volunteer needs listed were taken from their websites and socials, but it's always best to reach out to learn of current needs and expectations for volunteers.

Humane Society of Greater Kansas City

  • Address: 5445 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66104
  • Phone: (913) 596-1000
  • Volunteer Opportunities: They offer a variety of ways to get involved, including fostering, volunteering at events, and helping with shelter duties. More details can be found on their website (Humane Society of Greater Kansas City)

Wayside Waifs

  • Address: 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64137
  • Phone: (816) 761-8151
  • Volunteer Opportunities: Wayside Waifs offers volunteer opportunities for adults and teens, including dog walking, cat care, and event volunteering (Wayside Waifs).

KC Pet Project

  • Address: 7077 Elmwood Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64132
  • Phone: (816) 683-1383
  • Volunteer Opportunities: KC Pet Project offers a variety of volunteer roles, including dog walking, cat care, and assisting with adoptions. They also have a foster program for those interested in providing temporary homes for pets (KC Pet Project).

Great Plains SPCA

  • Address: 5428 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66202
  • Phone: (913) 831-7722
  • Volunteer Opportunities: Great Plains SPCA has opportunities for individuals and groups, including helping in the shelter, events, and fostering pets. They also offer a junior volunteer program for younger individuals (Great Plains).

Midwest Animal ResQ

  • Address: 10312 E 63rd Street, Raytown, MO 64133
  • Phone: (816) 919-3364
  • Volunteer Opportunities: This organization welcomes volunteers for fostering, assisting at their rescue facility, and helping at events. They also offer community service opportunities (Lucky13Rescue).

Unleashed Pet Rescue & Adoption

  • Address: 5918 Broadmoor Street, Mission, KS 66202
  • Phone: (913) 831-7387
  • Volunteer Opportunities: Unleashed Pet Rescue offers a range of volunteer activities, including dog walking, event assistance, and helping with shelter duties. They also have a foster program and welcome donations (Unleashed).

Melissa’s Second Chances

  • Address: 11015 W 75th Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66214
  • Phone: (913) 831-7387
  • Volunteer Opportunities: This organization offers opportunities for fostering, volunteering at the shelter, and assisting with events and fundraising. They also accept donations of supplies and monetary contributions (Melissa's Second Chances).


Know of a Kansas City event, dog-friendly restaurant, dog park, or animal shelter we're missing? Let me know at melissabasgall@macaronikid.com and we'll add it to our list!