Partial Reopening of Echo Lake Dog Park – Thursday, July 10
The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Parks Department anticipate a partial reopening of the Echo Lake Dog Park onThursday, July 10, 2025. While we know many residents are eager for full access, this limited reopening is necessary to comply with state conservation requirements and allow new grass to continue growing.
Both the large and small dog park areas will be open in a reduced capacity. Temporary fencing has been installed to section off areas still under restoration.
Please be aware of the following temporary conditions:
• 🐶 Entrances have changed — please follow on-site signage to access each area.
• 🚫 ADA accessibility to the large dog area is currently unavailable during this phase.
• 🚱 No water source is available in the large dog area — please bring your own water for your pets.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we continue making progress toward a full reopening.
Echo Lake Park Dog Park
Please see notice above
The Dog Park at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside covers almost three acres, with fenced areas set aside for large and smaller dogs. It is accessible for people with disabilities with designated parking areas and sloped paths.
Entry to Echo Lake is from Mountain or Springfield Avenues in Mountainside. The Dog Park is in the center of the park.
GPS Address: Park Drive Mountainside, NJ 07092
Warinanco Dog Park
The dog park at Warinanco Park in Roselle is located next to the Warinanco Sports Center (formerly the Ice Skating Center), at 1 Park Drive in Roselle.
Parking is available on site and across the street on Park Drive. 3
Owners must have a leash for each dog. Dogs must be on leash until inside the fenced off-leash area.
Walking Your Dog In Our Parks
Dogs and their owners are always welcome in Union County’s parks. What better place for a walk with our “best friends?” But there are rules:
With the exception of the Echo Lake dog park in Mountainside, dogs must be kept on a leash, no longer than 6-feet. This is for their protection, along with other visitors to the park, human and canine.
Should a dog defecate anywhere in the parks, whether on a macadam walking path, or along a hiking trail in the woods, owners are required to remove any dog waste in a sanitary manner.
Other than at the Echo Lake dog park, dogs are not allowed to roam off-leash, because of the inherent unpredictability of how they will interact with other dogs and humans. There is also the chance of running into a wild animal, that has rabies.
All dogs must have a collar with the appropriate rabies tag and license tag of the municipality where its owner resides.
Keeping Dogs and People Safe
In case of an emergency, please call Union County Police at 908-654-9800
Dog owners owe it to themselves and their pets to read and review the American Veterinary Medical Association’s “Dogs’ Social Lives and Disease Risks document.
While not intended to scare dog owners, it outlines how the unknown health histories of other dogs can pose problems for your dog, and even you! Just as people should stay home from work when they are sick, to prevent the spread of infection, it is just as important for dog owners not to bring a sick dog to a public Park.
Union County Parks regulations require all dogs to be on leash. Violations of these rules carry penalties that include fines to the owner. So for a happy experience in Union County Parks, please respect fellow visitors, whether two-legged or four.
Rules for Using Echo Lake Dog Park Keeping Dogs and People
- Dog owners are responsible and liable for the actions and behavior of their dogs at all times.
- Dogs must be vaccinated and have valid license/tags.
- Limit of 3 dogs per adult.
- Dogs must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Owners must have a leash for each dog. Dogs must be on leash until inside the fenced off-leash area.
- No puppies younger than 4 months old.
- No children under 8 years of age. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Owners must clean up and remove dog waste. Bags are provided.
- If your dog becomes aggressive, it must be leashed and removed.