Grove Memorial Park in Ontario has an interesting history—it started out as a rough, rocky dump ground before being donated to the city in August 1953 for flood control. That transformation from wasteland to public green space took real work, and you can still see evidence of the park’s evolution. The western section especially got a major upgrade through a Community Development Block Grant project in 2010, which added trails and improved the landscaping throughout that area.

The park itself is fairly expansive with plenty of open grass where your dog can move around freely. There are maintained trails that wind through the property, so you have options depending on what kind of outing you’re after—either a casual walk around the perimeter or something with a bit more distance. The trails aren’t particularly steep or technical, which makes them accessible if you’re bringing an older dog or just want an easy morning out.

San Bernardino County‘s inland location means summers here get hot, so plan your visits for early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are more reasonable. The park has some shade trees scattered throughout, but sections of the trails are pretty exposed, so bring water for both of you. Parking is available on-site, which makes getting in and out straightforward.

One thing to keep in mind is that this is an active city park, so there can be community events, youth sports activities, or maintenance work happening depending on the day. It’s worth checking the city’s website at Ontarioca.gov/grove-memorial-park before you go to see if anything’s scheduled that might affect your visit. The park’s location in Ontario makes it a reasonable stop if you’re passing through San Bernardino County or exploring that part of the Inland Empire.