If you haven’t checked it out yet, Jamaica Plain’s first official dog park is fast approaching its one-year anniversary. Having opened last August, the newly renovated Flaherty Playground—located at the intersection of Cornwall Avenue and Brookside Avenue—features a spacious, fenced-in dog run equipped with specialized canine water fountains. Boston Parks and Recreation deliberately designed the space around the existing mature tree canopy to ensure plenty of natural shade for pets and their owners.
The park’s arrival was a major victory for local advocacy groups like Friends of JP Dog Parks. For over 15 years, dog owners lobbied for a dedicated space, emphasizing the public health benefits and the need for safe off-leash areas in the city. Today, this $2.3 million municipal project stands as a neighborhood staple, not only providing a safe haven for dogs but also featuring a treehouse-themed playground and climbing walls for local families.