The short answer
The off-leash area is a fenced forest loop, roughly 250 metres, inside Don Valley Brick Works Park, the City of Toronto park at 550 Bayview Avenue in the Don Valley ravine, beside the parking lot. One key distinction: that City park is a different place from Evergreen Brick Works, the charity-run visitor site and event space next door, so the off-leash area is not run by Evergreen. Because it is fenced and wooded, it suits dogs with shakier recall and the first weeks after adoption. Hours follow the City standard of 5:30 a.m. to midnight, year-round. There is paid on-site parking that gets busy on weekends, plus a free weekend shuttle from Broadview station. It is prime Don Valley coyote habitat, so keep your dog close. Off-leash is allowed only inside the fenced loop; the connecting ravine trails are on-leash.
Where it is, and the one distinction to get right
The off-leash area sits inside Don Valley Brick Works Park, the City of Toronto park at 550 Bayview Avenue, down in the Don Valley ravine in Ward 11. You will find it beside the parking lot at the Evergreen Brick Works entrance. The site is a historic former brick factory and quarry, restored over the years, and the surrounding ravine is a green lung running through the middle of the city.
Here is the distinction worth getting right before you go: Don Valley Brick Works Park (the City park, where the off-leash area is) is a different place from Evergreen Brick Works (the charity-run restored former-factory event site and visitor centre next door). They are adjacent and share a name, but they are run by different organisations. The off-leash loop is in the City park, not run by Evergreen, and the off-leash hours and rules are the City park ones. When you point yourself at the dog area, you are heading for the City park beside the lot, not the Evergreen buildings.
A fenced forest loop, which is rare here
Most fenced off-leash runs in Toronto are open gravel or grass enclosures. The Brick Works off-leash area is different: it is a fenced loop through the trees, roughly 250 metres, in the ravine forest. That wooded, enclosed character is the whole appeal. Your dog gets real terrain and scent, with the security of a fence around the space. Sources describe the layout slightly differently, so it is fair to think of it as a fenced forest loop rather than to commit to a precise count of enclosures.
Because it is fenced, it suits dogs that an unfenced ravine trail would not. A dog with shakier recall, or one still settling in the first weeks after adoption, can be off-leash here without the risk of bolting up the ravine. The south gate opens onto the broader Don Valley ravine trail network, but those trails are on-leash outside the off-leash zone. There is no confirmed dog water fountain inside the fence, so bring water in summer.
Hours and lighting
The off-leash area follows the City of Toronto standard for designated zones, which is 5:30 a.m. to midnight, year-round. Do not assume dawn to dusk; the City uses that 5:30 a.m. to midnight park-hours window. Keep one thing separate in your head: Evergreen Brick Works, the visitor site next door, has its own separate visitor hours for its buildings, market, and programs, and those are not the off-leash hours. For the dog area in the City park, the answer is 5:30 a.m. to midnight. That said, the forest loop has limited lighting, so in practice it is a daylight space, and the wooded footing in the dark is best avoided.
Getting there, parking, and the weekend shuttle
Down in the ravine, getting in takes a bit of planning. The options:
- By car: there is paid on-site parking in the lot by the entrance, near the off-leash area. It gets busy on weekends, especially when the farmers market and event site draw crowds, so come early or aim for a weekday.
- The weekend shuttle (easiest car-free option): on weekends, the site runs a free shuttle from Broadview station on Line 2 that drops you right at the site, saving both the parking crush and the climb into the ravine. Check the current schedule before you go.
- By subway and on foot: the nearest station is Castle Frank on Line 2, about a 25-minute walk, much of it a descent into the valley (and an uphill return).
Coyotes and ravine wildlife
The Brick Works sits in the heart of the Don Valley ravine, which is prime coyote habitat in Toronto. The City posts seasonal coyote awareness signs in ravine parks, and coyotes are most active and defensive in late winter and spring during denning season. The fence helps inside the off-leash loop, but the awareness still applies there and matters even more on the connecting ravine trails:
- Keep your dog close, and leash up the moment you see a coyote.
- Make yourself big and loud (clap, shout, wave your arms) and back away calmly. Do not run, and do not turn your back.
- Never feed coyotes, and pack out any food scraps that would draw them in.
- Small dogs are at higher risk; keep them close, especially at dawn and dusk.
If your dog loves water, the ravine is not the place for it. The off-leash dog beach at Cherry Beach on the waterfront is the better choice for a swimmer.
What to bring
- Poop bags, always. The City fines for failing to scoop, and the ravine is a natural area worth keeping clean.
- Water and a collapsible bowl in summer. There is no confirmed dog water fountain inside the fence.
- A leash you keep on you, since you need it the moment you leave the fenced loop for the connecting ravine trails.
- Sturdy footwear, because the forest loop gets muddy in the wet and icy in winter, and a towel for paws afterward.
- A current city dog licence tag with your phone number on the collar.
- Bug awareness in summer: expect mosquitoes near the ponds, and do a tick check after walks in the brush.
Etiquette every Brick Works regular follows
- Leash up outside the loop, including the connecting ravine trails. The fenced area is the only off-leash zone here.
- Mind the crowds on weekends. The market and event site next door fill the lot and the loop; a heavy commercial dog-walker presence can be a lot for a dog that needs space.
- Watch your dog in the trees. A wooded loop has more sight-line blind spots than an open gravel run.
- Scoop every time, on and off the loop. Officers do check the ravine parks.
- Keep coyote habits sharp, even inside the fence. You are in the Don Valley.
Looking for a rescue dog ready for a fenced forest loop?
Toronto rescues list adoptable dogs daily, and foster homes know which dogs are ready for a busy, fenced off-leash area like the Brick Works, and which ones need a quieter start.
See Adoptable Toronto Dogs →Winter and summer at the Brick Works
Toronto winters make the forest loop a footing challenge. The wooded ground gets muddy in a thaw and icy in a cold snap, so wear boots with grip and keep walks shorter when it is bitter. Rinse road salt off your dog's paws at home, since it irritates the pads. The upside of winter is quiet: the market crowds thin out and the regulars who still show up tend to have settled dogs, so the loop is calmer than a packed summer weekend.
Summer brings shade from the trees, which is a real plus in a Toronto July, but also mud after rain, mosquitoes near the ponds, and ticks in the brush. Early mornings are the most comfortable and the least crowded window. Carry water, since there is no confirmed fountain inside the fence, and check your dog over for ticks when you get home.
City of Toronto bylaw recap
The rules that apply everywhere except inside the posted off-leash boundary:
- Dogs must be leashed at all times outside the marked off-leash area, including the connecting ravine trails.
- Off-leash is allowed only inside the fenced loop; read the signs to know where it starts and ends.
- You must carry a leash even inside the off-leash zone, and your dog must come when called.
- Pick up after your dog every time. Officers issue fines for failing to scoop.
- Off-leash fines in non-designated areas can run into the hundreds of dollars under the City's animal bylaw.
- Toronto requires dogs to be licensed; keep a current tag on the collar.
For the official park details and current notices, see the City of Toronto's Don Valley Brick Works Park facility page and the City's dog off-leash areas page, which lists every designated zone in the city.
If the Brick Works is not the right fit
The fenced loop is small and gets busy, and the ravine descent is a haul. If that is not what you want on a given day, you have options:
- Sherwood Park off-leash is another midtown ravine route, an unfenced forest trail for dogs with reliable recall.
- Riverdale Park West off-leash sits on the Don Valley edge with an open, flatter feel.
Our full Toronto off-leash parks guide covers the designated off-leash areas across the city, with notes on which are fenced, which allow swimming, and which fit different dogs best.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the off-leash area at Don Valley Brick Works?
The off-leash area is inside Don Valley Brick Works Park, the City of Toronto park at 550 Bayview Avenue, down in the Don Valley ravine. It sits beside the parking lot at the Evergreen Brick Works entrance, in Ward 11. One thing to get straight: the City park is a different place from Evergreen Brick Works, the charity-run restored former-factory event site and visitor centre next door. They are adjacent but distinct, and the off-leash area is in the City park, not run by Evergreen. The fenced loop is a forested route, which is unusual for a Toronto enclosed off-leash area.
Is the Brick Works off-leash the same as Evergreen Brick Works?
No, and this trips a lot of people up. Don Valley Brick Works Park is the City of Toronto park where the off-leash area lives. Evergreen Brick Works is the separate charity-run site next door: the restored former brick-factory buildings, the visitor centre, and the event space, plus the popular weekend farmers market. They share a name and sit side by side, but they are run by different organisations. When you are heading for the dog off-leash loop, you want the City park beside the parking lot, not the Evergreen buildings themselves. The off-leash hours and rules are the City park ones, not Evergreen visitor-site hours.
Is the off-leash area fenced?
Yes. The off-leash area is a fenced forest loop, roughly 250 metres, and that wooded, enclosed character is what makes it special. Most fenced off-leash runs in Toronto are open gravel or grass; this one is in the trees. The exact number of fenced enclosures is described differently across sources, so it is fair to think of it as a fenced forest loop rather than committing to an exact count. Because it is enclosed, it suits dogs with shakier recall and the first weeks after adoption better than an unfenced ravine trail would. The south gate opens onto the broader ravine trails, which are on-leash outside the off-leash zone.
What are the off-leash hours at the Brick Works?
The off-leash area follows the City of Toronto standard for designated off-leash zones, which is 5:30 a.m. to midnight, year-round (the same as standard park hours). Do not assume dawn to dusk; the City uses that 5:30 a.m. to midnight window. One thing to keep separate: Evergreen Brick Works, the visitor site next door, has its own separate visitor hours for its buildings, market, and programs. Those are not the off-leash hours. For the dog area in the City park, the answer is 5:30 a.m. to midnight. The forest loop has limited lighting, though, so in practice it is really a daylight space.
Can I park at Don Valley Brick Works?
Yes, there is on-site paid parking at the Brick Works, in the lot by the entrance near the off-leash area. The catch is that it gets busy on weekends, especially when the farmers market is running and the event site draws crowds. If you are coming for a quiet off-leash session, a weekday morning is far easier on parking. On a sunny Saturday, the lot can be full and you may circle for a spot. The lot is paid, so budget for that, and come early on weekends if you want a stress-free arrival.
How do I get to the Brick Works by TTC, and is there a shuttle?
The nearest subway is Castle Frank station on Line 2, about a 25-minute walk from the Brick Works, much of it a descent into the Don Valley ravine (and an uphill return). It is doable on foot if you do not mind the walk. On weekends, though, there is an easier car-free option: the site runs a free shuttle from Broadview station on Line 2 that drops you right at the site, saving you the parking crush and the climb. Check the current shuttle schedule before you go, since the days and times can change seasonally. On a weekday, plan for the Castle Frank walk; on a weekend, take the Broadview shuttle.
Is the Brick Works off-leash good for a newly adopted dog?
It is one of the better Toronto off-leash choices for a newly adopted dog, because it is fenced. A dog still in the 3-3-3 decompression window (3 days to settle, 3 weeks to learn the routine, 3 months to fully trust) can relax inside an enclosure in a way an unfenced ravine trail would not allow, and a spooked dog cannot bolt out of the fence. That said, it sits in the Don Valley, prime coyote habitat, so keep coyote awareness in mind even inside the fence area, and especially on the connecting ravine trails. Walk the area calmly first, watch how your dog handles other dogs, and leash up the moment you step outside the off-leash zone.
Are there coyotes at the Brick Works?
Treat it as a yes. Don Valley Brick Works sits in the heart of the Don Valley ravine, which is prime coyote habitat across Toronto. The City posts seasonal coyote awareness signs in ravine parks, and coyotes are most active and defensive in late winter and spring during denning season. Keep your dog close, leash up the moment you see a coyote, make yourself big and loud, do not run, and do not feed wildlife. Small dogs are at higher risk, so keep them close, especially at dawn and dusk. The fence helps inside the off-leash loop, but the awareness still applies there and matters even more on the open ravine trails.
What should I bring to the Brick Works off-leash?
Poop bags, always, because the City fines for failing to scoop and the ravine is a natural area worth protecting. Water and a collapsible bowl in summer, since there is no confirmed dog water fountain inside the fence. A leash you keep on you, since you need it the moment you leave the off-leash zone for the connecting ravine trails. Sturdy footwear, because the forest loop gets muddy in the wet and icy in winter. A towel for muddy paws afterward. A current city dog licence tag with your phone number. In summer, expect mosquitoes near the ponds, and do a tick check after walks in the brush.
When is the Brick Works quietest?
Weekday mornings are the calmest, mostly local regulars and settled dogs, with easy parking. Weekends are a different story: the farmers market and event site at Evergreen Brick Works next door draw big crowds, the parking lot fills, and the off-leash loop sees heavy use, including a lot of professional dog walkers running packs. The forest loop is small, so a crowded weekend can feel tight for a dog that needs space. If your dog is still learning play manners or wants room from other dogs, aim for a quiet weekday morning rather than a Saturday.
Can I walk the ravine trails off-leash from the Brick Works?
No. The fenced off-leash loop is the only off-leash zone here. The south gate opens onto the broader Don Valley ravine trail network, and those trails are on-leash outside the off-leash area. So you can do an off-leash session in the forest loop, then clip the leash back on and walk the ravine trails for a longer outing, but your dog must be leashed the whole time outside the posted off-leash boundary. The ravine is also where coyote awareness matters most, so the leash is doing double duty: it keeps you onside with the bylaw and keeps your dog close in coyote country.
What is the off-leash bylaw fine in Toronto?
Toronto requires dogs to be leashed everywhere except inside posted off-leash areas, and fines for off-leash dogs in non-designated areas can run into the hundreds of dollars under the City's animal bylaw. Officers do patrol the ravine parks. The fine is not the main reason to follow the rule, though. The coyotes in the Don Valley and the wildlife in the ravine are the real reasons to keep your dog leashed outside the fenced loop. Keep your dog leashed until you are inside the signed off-leash boundary, and leash up again the moment you head out onto the connecting ravine trails.