Terry Martin Memorial Dog Park stretches across several fenced acres in south Fontana, with the kind of open layout that lets dogs actually move without dodging bodies every three feet. The main area is grassy and genuinely spacious—the kind of place where a dog can break into a real run instead of circling in a packed pen. There’s a separate enclosure for small dogs, which matters if you have a 15-pounder who gets steamrolled by labs, and the whole setup includes shade structures scattered through the property so you’re not roasting on the San Bernardino County sun while your dog plays.
Dogs are off-leash throughout both areas, and the park is free to use. Water stations are available in the park, which you’ll appreciate on hot inland days. The site has decent drainage with a mix of grass and decomposed granite in spots, so it’s not a mud pit after rare rain, but the grass can get thin in high-traffic zones during peak hours. Mornings and early evenings tend to draw crowds, especially on weekends, so if you want a quieter session with fewer dogs, midday or late afternoon often works better.
The park sits on Juniper Avenue on the city’s south side, relatively close to the residential neighborhoods that feed it. It’s open from sunrise to sunset, which means winter hours are shorter than summer ones—worth checking if you’re planning an early morning or dusk visit. The terrain is flat with no major elevation changes, so it’s straightforward for dogs of any age or fitness level. There’s parking on-site, though on busy weekend mornings spots can fill up. Bring your own water bowl if you want your dog to drink from something familiar, since the park’s water stations are fixed fixtures.
