Dog walks in University City, Philadelphia

The parks, off-leash dog areas, and trails within about a 15-minute walk of central University City.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsUpdated September 18, 2026

Within about a 15-minute walk of central University City, you'll find 16 parks covering about 85 acres, 3 off-leash dog areas, and 3.2 miles of named walking paths.

16Parks nearby

85Acres of parks

3Off-leash areas

3.2Trail miles

Map of parks, dog areas, and walking paths within about a 15-minute walk of University City, Philadelphia — Neighborhood center Parks Dog areas Walking paths Water fountains ~15-minute walk

Parks near University City

Penn Park23 acres · 0.1 mi (about 1 min walk) · Open in Maps
Schuylkill River Park7 acres · 0.3 mi (about 6 min walk) · Open in MapsHas an off-leash area
Hamilton Field14 acres · 0.5 mi (about 11 min walk) · Open in Maps
Schuylkill Banks9.5 acres · 0.4 mi (about 8 min walk) · Open in Maps
Grays Ferry Crescent Trail Park14 acres · 0.6 mi (about 13 min walk) · Open in Maps
Schuylkill Banks4.3 acres · 0.3 mi (about 5 min walk) · Open in Maps
Shoemaker Green2.3 acres · 0.1 mi (about 2 min walk) · Open in Maps
Blanche Levy Park2.6 acres · 0.3 mi (about 5 min walk) · Open in Maps

Off-leash dog areas near University City

Large Breed Dog Park0.27 acres · 0.4 mi (about 7 min walk) · Open in Maps
Small Breed Dog Park0.1 acres · 0.4 mi (about 8 min walk) · Open in Maps
Highline Dog Park0.6 mi (about 11 min walk) · Open in Maps

Off-leash hours and rules vary by park. Always check the posted signs before letting your dog off leash.

Walking paths and trails

Schuylkill River Trail0.8 mi within a 15-minute walk
Schuylkill River Trail – Christian to Crescent0.7 mi within a 15-minute walk
Running Track0.6 mi within a 15-minute walk
Grays Ferry Crescent0.4 mi within a 15-minute walk
Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk0.4 mi within a 15-minute walk
Schuylkill River Connector Trail0.1 mi within a 15-minute walk

Good to know

5 mapped drinking fountains nearby. Still bring water on warm days.
Philadelphia summers are hot and humid, and winters bring cold snaps and salted sidewalks. Off-leash play belongs in designated dog parks. Everywhere else, keep dogs leashed.
Planning the day's walk? See how long to walk your dog, check if it's too hot or too cold.

University City dog walk FAQ

Where can I walk my dog in University City?

The main green spaces within about a 15-minute walk of central University City are Penn Park (23 acres), Schuylkill River Park (7 acres) and Hamilton Field (14 acres). For a longer walk, try the Schuylkill River Trail. Most city parks require dogs to be leashed outside designated off-leash areas.

Is there a dog park near University City?

Yes. Large Breed Dog Park is about 0.4 miles from the neighborhood center, and 2 more off-leash areas are within a 15-minute walk. Check posted hours and rules before you go.

Park, trail, and amenity data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), as of September 18, 2026. Distances are straight-line from the neighborhood's center point, so actual walking routes are a little longer. Parks marked as closed to dogs in OpenStreetMap are left out, but rules change, so follow posted signs.