Dog owners who count on Griggs Park for early-morning off-leash time will need to find another spot on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The Town of Brookline is suspending Green Dog hours at the park from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. while construction crews work on site.
The Department of Public Works, led by Commissioner Erin Chute Gallentine, posted the suspension on the town's official calendar on Monday, Aug. 10. The town described the work only as "scheduled construction related work" and did not specify what crews will be doing.
The closure spans the park's off-leash hours, which multiple town sources list as dawn to 1 p.m. The town's Green Dog FAQ states that dogs must remain on-leash whenever parks crews are working, for the safety of both animals and workers.
What is the Green Dog Program?
Brookline's Green Dog Program designates 14 off-leash areas across town, each with hours set by the Park and Recreation Commission. Annual registration costs $100 per dog for residents and $150 for non-residents. Guest permits run $5 for two days or $10 for a week.
About Griggs Park
The 3.34-acre circular park sits on Griggs Road off Washington Street, in an enclave surrounded by houses and apartment buildings. Willow trees line its perimeter. The park is not fenced. Its center sits on a former wetland and is known among regulars for turning swampy after rain. The park serves dog owners across the Washington Square, Brookline Village and Coolidge Corner neighborhoods.
The town is also planning a full renovation of Griggs Park in 2027, including new universally accessible playground equipment and drainage improvements, Brookline.News reported. Whether the Aug. 18 work is related to that larger project has not been confirmed.
Where to go instead
Griggs Park regulars have several nearby off-leash alternatives on Aug. 18:
- Schick Park (Addington Road, Washington Square) — dawn to 9 a.m., fenced
- Waldstein Playground (Dean Road/Clinton Path, Washington Square) — dawn to 9 a.m.
- Amory Playground (Amory and Freeman streets) — dawn to 1 p.m., 8.28 acres
- Larz Anderson Park (Goddard Avenue/Newton Street) — dawn to 1 p.m., 61 acres
Dog owners can check the Green Dog hotline at 617-879-4850 for updates on field closures, or reach the Parks and Open Space Division at 617-879-5650, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
