Location: Located behind the SoNo Collection Mall, just north of Oyster Shell Park itself, which is south of the Stepping Stones Museum. To enter the dog park, take the Reed Street mall entrance and drive to the back of the mall. Park in the playground parking on the left and walk part of the NRVT (Norwalk River Valley Trail) north until you see the dog park entrance just before the I-95 overpass.
Rules:
- The dog park is exclusively for dogs and their owners/handlers.
- Dogs must always be accompanied by their owner/handler an may not be left unattended in the enclosed area.
- Dogs must be fully vaccinated and in good health (no illness or injuries) to use the dog park.
- Dogs in heat and unneutered dogs over seven months old are not allowed.
- Puppies must be at least four months to enter the dog park.
- Dogs must remain leashed outside the off-leash area. Leashes must also be available for use inside the off-leash area if needed.
- You are responsible for any damage or injury caused by your dog.
- You must maintain control of your dog at all times.
- If your dog exhibits dangerous or aggressive behavior, such as biting, attempts to bite, fighting, or excessive barking, you must immediately remove your dog from the park.
- You are responsible for cleaning up after your dog and depositing waste in the designated bins.
- Children must be accompanied by an parents at all time to ensure their safety.
- It is strongly recommended to remove your dog’s leash upon entering the area.
- Pinch, prong, or choke collars must be removed in the off-leash area.Bringing food or treats into the dog park is at your own risk.
Hours: Open 24 hours
Parking: Parking is available at the playground parking lot south of Oyster Shell Park.
Description: On January 10, 2025 Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling announced the opening of Oyster Shell Park Dog Park in response to public feedback and demand. The resulting fencing, entrance gates, and maintenance gates were funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. Officials say dogs are allowed off-leash in the dog park as long as the dog is under command.
It is a sprawling, hilly, and fully-fenced park that was built on a former landfill site. It includes complimentary poop bags and a waste bin as well as a lone picnic table for sitting. Dogs are not allowed on the playground at Oyster Shell Park and must be on a leash in all other parts of the park and walking trails.
REVIEW BY DUSTY BLUE: We had a hard time finding the entrance to this park, but we discovered it right by the I-95 overpass on the paved (NRVT) Norwalk River Valley Trail after asking a dog owner for directions. What a big park! It has the steepest hills of any park in the county, which might be an issue for aging dogs who have achy joints, but there is plenty of space to run and frolic. There are no trees to pee on, but there is plenty of fence line for me to sniff and mark my territory. The park is new, very clean, and seems to becoming popular with locals who have been previously taking their dogs to the NRVT, playground, and Oyster Shell Park area. Dogs weren’t allowed in those areas previously (and they still aren’t allowed in the playground), so the opening of this new park filled the demand. Very nice!