The main public off-leash dog parks in Papillion and Gretna are Walnut Creek and Gretna Crossing. In Papillion, Walnut Creek Recreation Area has a leash-free dog park with two fenced areas and a native area with pond access. In Gretna, Gretna Crossing Park has separate dog parks for small and large dogs at 12505 S. 208th Ave.
| Walnut Creek (Papillion) | Gretna Crossing (Gretna) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | South of Highway 370, west of 96th Street | 12505 S. 208th Ave. |
| Off-leash areas | 2 fenced areas (large and small breeds) plus a native area with pond access | Small dog park and large dog park |
| Park size | 450 acres with a 105-acre lake | 157 acres |
| Posted hours | 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily | Not posted online. Call City Hall. |
| Trash | Pack in, pack out. No trash service. | Check on site |
| Contact | Park office, 402-592-8877 | City Hall, 402-332-3336 |
Where is the dog park in Papillion?
Papillion’s leash-free dog park is inside Walnut Creek Recreation Area, a 450-acre park built around a 105-acre lake. The park sits south of Highway 370 and west of 96th Street. There are two entrances: one off 96th Street, and a second about a mile and a half farther south and west, on Schram Road at Turkey Road.
According to the City of Papillion, the dog park has:
- Two fully fenced areas, one for large breeds and one for small breeds.
- A native area with pond access for dogs that like to get wet.
- Hours of 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week.
The rest of the park is on-leash only. That includes the paved 3.1-mile loop around Walnut Creek Lake, which makes a good cool-down walk after the dog park.
What should you know before visiting Walnut Creek?
Walnut Creek is a “pack in, pack out” park. The City of Papillion offers no trash service there, so whatever you bring in, you carry out. For dog owners that means one thing: bring bags, and plan on taking your dog’s waste home with you. A pond-access area also means a wet, happy dog, so keep a towel in the car.
Where is the dog park in Gretna?
Gretna’s dog park is part of Gretna Crossing Park, the city’s 157-acre park that was completed in September 2023. The dog park address is 12505 S. 208th Ave., Gretna, NE. It has two play areas, a small dog park and a large dog park. The same park also has an 18-hole disc golf course, a fishing pond, playgrounds, and walking and biking trails.
What is new at the Gretna Crossing dog park in 2026?
The City of Gretna has been investing in the turf. In March 2026 it closed the large dog park for about a week to seed grass and install water lines for a new sprinkler system, and announced a new water station just outside the dog park with a fountain, a bottle filler and a dog water station.
Two things follow from that. First, one side or the other is sometimes closed for reseeding, so check the city’s news page or call City Hall at 402-332-3336 before you load up the car. Second, Gretna also hosts a free annual event at the dog park called Paws at the Park, which held its third year in spring 2026.
What should you bring to a dog park?
- Waste bags. More than you think you need.
- Water and a bowl.
- A leash. Both parks are on-leash outside the dog areas.
- A towel, especially for the pond at Walnut Creek.
- Current vaccinations. Gretna required updated vaccines for dogs at Paws at the Park, and it is a sensible standard anywhere dogs share ground.
Why does picking up matter so much at a dog park?
Because every dog there is sharing the same grass. The CDC says roundworm eggs reach the soil through animal waste and take 2 to 4 weeks in the environment to become able to cause infection, which is why its advice is to pick pet waste up daily and bag it for the trash. One missed pile at a busy park is a problem for every dog that visits after yours.
The same rule applies at home, where your own dog is the repeat visitor. Here is how often to pick up dog poop in your yard.
Who keeps the yard clean after the dog park?
That part we can take off your list. Monarch K-9 Waste Removal has scooped Omaha metro yards since 1997, with weekly, biweekly and one-time cleanups. See our Papillion dog poop pickup and Gretna dog poop pickup pages for service in your neighborhood.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Walnut Creek Recreation Area in Papillion has a leash-free dog park with two fully fenced areas, one for large breeds and one for small breeds, plus a native area with pond access.
Yes. The City of Papillion lists two fully fenced-in areas, one for large breeds and one for small breeds. The rest of Walnut Creek Recreation Area is on-leash only.
The City of Papillion lists the park as open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week.
No. Walnut Creek is a pack in, pack out park with no trash service, so bring bags and take your dog’s waste home with you.
Yes. Gretna Crossing Park has a dog park at 12505 S. 208th Ave. with a small dog park and a large dog park.
The City of Gretna closes one side at a time when the grass needs reseeding, as it did with the large dog park in March 2026. Check the city’s news page or call City Hall at 402-332-3336 before you go.
Yes. Monarch K-9 Waste Removal offers weekly, biweekly and one-time yard cleanups in both Papillion and Gretna, along with the rest of the Omaha metro.
The park is for play. Leave the scooping to us.
Your furry lords and ladies get the dog park. You get a yard fit for royalty when you come home. Request a Free Quote at monarchk9.com or call (402) 537-4649.
Monarch K-9 Waste Removal, 17703 Storage Rd, Omaha, NE 68136. Call (402) 537-4649, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.
By David Ortleb, Owner, Monarch K-9 Waste Removal. Serving the Omaha metro since 1997. Park details checked against the City of Papillion and City of Gretna websites in October 2026. Hours and closures can change, so confirm with the city before you go.
