Tijuana’s old Galgódromo greyhound racing track has reopened this month as a free public dog park and canine training facility. The converted space, built around the original oval track layout, includes obedience training areas, agility courses, and fenced off-leash socialization zones. Free weekend workshops on basic obedience and responsible pet ownership are planned, though formal operating hours have not yet been announced.
The Galgódromo: From 1940s Greyhound Racing to Tijuana Dog Park
The Galgódromo dates to Tijuana’s mid-20th-century entertainment boom. Greyhound racing arrived in the city during the 1940s, part of a cross-border leisure economy that also produced the famous Agua Caliente racetrack and casino complex. At its peak, the Galgódromo drew weekend crowds from both sides of the border who came to bet on sprinting greyhounds circling the oval track.
Greyhound racing gradually lost its audience in Tijuana over the following decades. Animal welfare concerns, shifting entertainment tastes, and competition from other venues all played a role. The track closed as a racing venue years ago. The facility sat largely unused after that, its grandstands and oval becoming another piece of idle infrastructure in a city where public green space and recreation areas are scarce.
Tijuana has roughly 1.9 million residents and limited parkland per capita compared to cities of similar size. A 2023 municipal report noted that the city had fewer than 3 square meters of green space per person, well below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 9 square meters. That shortage makes repurposing projects like the Galgódromo conversion especially practical. The city avoids the cost of new land acquisition and construction while filling a gap in public amenities.
What the Converted Facility Offers
The redesigned space preserves the original oval, now used as a running and exercise loop for dogs and their owners. Fenced sections separate areas for small and large dogs during off-leash play. Designated agility courses feature ramps, tunnels, and jumps. A separate obedience training area accommodates structured classes.
Local trainers and dog clubs have already begun holding group sessions at the site. Municipal officials have said that free weekend workshops will cover basic commands, leash manners, behavioral correction, and responsible pet ownership. Specific dates and a full schedule have not been published yet.
Entry to the park is free. The Galgódromo sits in the Zona Río area of Tijuana, close to the Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT) and accessible from Boulevard Paseo de los Héroes. That central location puts it within a short drive of neighborhoods popular with foreign residents, including Zona Río itself, Hipódromo, Cacho, and Playas de Tijuana.
Pet Ownership Is Growing in Tijuana, but Training Options Are Limited
Mexico’s national pet industry association, AMPRO, estimated in 2023 that roughly 80 million pets lived in Mexican households, with dogs accounting for the largest share. Tijuana’s cross-border character adds a layer: many expat residents adopt dogs locally or bring pets from the United States. Private training facilities in Tijuana typically charge between 800 and 2,500 pesos (roughly $45 to $140 USD) per session, putting regular professional training out of reach for many owners.
The city’s few existing public parks generally lack fenced areas or designated dog zones. Parque Morelos, Tijuana’s largest urban park at roughly 25 hectares in the eastern part of the city, allows dogs but has no dedicated canine infrastructure. Pet owners in Playas de Tijuana often use the beach, though municipal rules technically restrict dogs on public beaches during peak hours.
A free facility with professional-grade equipment and organized training fills a gap that dog owners on both sides of the economic spectrum have felt. The structured socialization areas also address a practical concern: Baja California’s state health authorities issued reminders earlier this year about rabies and rickettsiosis prevention, both of which are more effectively managed when dogs receive regular socialization in controlled environments rather than unsupervised street contact.
No Official Hours Yet, but Early Turnout Has Been Strong
City officials have not announced formal operating hours or confirmed a long-term management plan for the facility. Early attendance has been high, with local dog clubs organizing weekend meetups since the park opened in July 2025. Trainers who previously worked only through private studios have begun offering group classes at the site.
The municipal government has not said whether it plans to staff the facility full time or rely on volunteer organizations and local dog clubs to manage day-to-day operations. That question will likely determine how well the park holds up over the coming months. Tijuana has a mixed record with maintaining repurposed public spaces: some thrive with community stewardship, while others fall into disrepair when municipal budgets tighten.
Weekend workshop schedules are expected to be posted through the city’s social media channels once finalized. The facility is located near Boulevard Paseo de los Héroes in Zona Río. The story was first reported by Uniradio Informa.