Which Cincinnati-area dog parks have separate areas for small and large dogs?
Short answer
Yes. Several dog parks around Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky provide separate play areas for smaller and larger dogs. Good examples include Otto Armleder Dog Park in Cincinnati, Doris Day Dog Park at Mt. Airy Forest, Highland Hills Dog Park in Fort Thomas, SFC Jason Bishop Memorial Dog Park in Covington, and the Boone County Dog Park at England-Idlewild Park. Simmonds Family Dog Park at Miami Whitewater Forest also has multiple play fields, including a dedicated small-dog area. Always check the posted signs and current park rules before choosing a section for your dog.
Expanded answer
Size-separated areas can be useful when your dog is on the smaller side, but layouts and eligibility rules vary by park. Some parks divide their space into small-dog and large-dog sections, while others use multiple fields with different configurations, and the size cutoffs are not the same everywhere.
Here are several Cincinnati-area dog parks where you'll find separate or dedicated play areas for smaller dogs.
Otto Armleder Dog Park — Cincinnati
Official sources describe the 10-acre dog park as having separate sections for small and large breeds. Useful verified amenities include dog drinking fountains, a canine shower, shade trees, and benches.
Great Parks currently states that its small-dog areas are for dogs weighing less than 22 pounds. Amenities may not always be operational, so check current park conditions before you go.
Doris Day Dog Park at Mt. Airy Forest — Cincinnati
Cincinnati Parks describes this nearly four-acre dog park as having separate areas for big and small dogs. Check current park information for any updates before you visit.
Highland Hills Dog Park — Fort Thomas, Kentucky
Official City of Fort Thomas information identifies separate small-dog and large-dog areas at Highland Hills Park, and the city lists water among the dog park's amenities.
SFC Jason Bishop Memorial Dog Park — Covington, Kentucky
City of Covington documentation explicitly states that this dog park has separate areas for small and large dogs. The city has also documented decorative fencing, seating, and a waste station.
Historical city information references water fountains, but current water availability should be confirmed before you go.
Boone County Dog Park at England-Idlewild Park — Burlington, Kentucky
Boone County documentation describes a four-acre dog park with multiple size-separated sections: two half-acre sections for small dogs and two one-acre sections for large dogs. This layout distinguishes England-Idlewild from a simple two-section dog park.
Simmonds Family Dog Park — Miami Whitewater Forest
Simmonds Family Dog Park at Miami Whitewater Forest uses a multi-field layout rather than a simple two-section setup. Great Parks currently describes four separate fields, and its own park documentation identifies a dedicated small-dog area. Check the current field setup and posted signs when you arrive.
Great Parks' current dog park rules state that small dog areas are for dogs weighing less than 22 pounds. That weight threshold applies to Great Parks facilities such as Otto Armleder; Cincinnati Parks, Fort Thomas, Covington, and Boone County may each define or manage their size-separated areas differently, so check the posted rules at each park.
Sources: Great Parks, Armleder Dog Park (https://www.greatparks.org/parks/otto-armleder-memorial-park/armleder-dog-park). Cincinnati Parks, Otto Armleder Memorial Park (https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/find-a-parkfacility/otto-armleder-memorial-park/). Great Parks, Dog Park Rules (https://www.greatparks.org/about/policies/dog-park). Cincinnati Parks, Doris Day Dog Park (https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/news/cincinnati-parks-to-make-paw-sitive-changes-to-doris-day-dog-park/). City of Covington, SFC Jason Bishop Memorial Dog Park (https://www.covingtonky.gov/news/2022/11/29/something-to-howl-about-citys-first-dog-park-opens-friday). Great Parks, Simmonds Family Dog Park (https://www.greatparks.org/parks/miami-whitewater-forest/simmonds-family-dog-park). City of Fort Thomas, Highland Hills Park (https://fortthomasky.org/recreation/parks/highland-hills-park/). Boone County, Dog Park at England-Idlewild Park (https://secure.boonecountyky.org/revize/boonecounty/dog_park/index.aspx).