At the bottom of the small parking lot off Government House Road, you can see the path that runs along the River Ouse.  You have two options: go left for a suburban walk with York city views, large fields, and a small beach, OR you can take a right and walk towards the more wild open fields of the Ings.  

If you take a left, and walk towards the city following the scenic river, eventually a fairly large field will appear, which is available for running and playing off lead.  Usually there are other dogs here playing, too.  If you carry on a little further towards the city, you can cross Scarborough Bridge, and then take a right, and walk away from the city.  Here your dog(s) can enjoy expansive fields to run and meet other dogs.  If you carry on and walk under Clifton Bridge, you will see paths leading to a small beach great for dogs who like water.  This is a great place for swimming or just sitting in water to cool off on warm days.  Cross back over Clifton Bridge to get back to your car on Government House Road.

If you decide to take a the second walk, which is a right at the bottom of the parking lot and go away from York, you will, in the matter of minutes, arrive at the Ings (dyke wall surrounding fields).  This is a great place, but wellies are usually needed.  If you walk the Ings dyke wall, eventually you will walk until you need to pass a gate.  Here is a great place to go down to the bank for your dog(s) to enjoy the river "beach" and swim or play.  There is a bike path if you can follow back to make a loop, or you can walk back on the Ings, and return to your car on Government House Road.

Both walks can take up to an hour to walk, but you can make them longer or shorter depending on your needs.  There are poo bins every so often, and lots of friendly dog people.  Remember to watch your dog on the paths that are also shared with cyclists.

When you walk past the small parking lot down to the river, you can take a left and walk towards the city of York, or you can take a right and walk towards the open fields of the Ings.  

If you take a left, and walk towards the city following the scenic river, eventually a fairly large field will appear, which is available for running and playing off lead.  Usually there are other dogs here playing, too.  If you carry on a little further towards the city, you can cross Scarborough Bridge, and then take a right, and walk away from the city.  Here your dog(s) can enjoy expansive fields to run and meet other dogs.  If you carry on and walk under Clifton Bridge, you will see paths leading to a small beach great for dogs who like water.  This is a great place for swimming or just sitting in water to cool off on warm days.  Cross back over Clifton Bridge to get back to your car on Government House Road.

If decide to take a the second walk, which is a right at the bottom of the parking lot and go away from York, you will, in the matter of minutes, arrive at the Ings (dyke walls surrounding fields).  This is a great place, but wellies are usually needed.  If you walk the Ings dyke wall, eventually you will walk until you need to pass a gate.  Here is a great place to go down to the bank for your dog(s) to enjoy the river "beach" and swim or play.  There is a bike path if you can follow back to make a loop, or you can walk back on the Ings, and return to your car on Government House Road.

Both walks can take up to an hour to walk, but you can make them longer or shorter depending on your needs.  There are poo bins every so often, and lots of friendly dog people.  Remember to watch your dog on the paths that are also shared with cyclists.