Are you and the pooch vacationing in the Sunshine State and want a place to go where you can both play? Well, look no further, because here are seven dog parks in Florida, from Jacksonville to Key West, that you and your dog will love.

Make sure you read and follow the rules at each dog park, especially the one about picking up after your dog. And if you’ve never been to a pooch park, read our 10 Tips for Your First Trip to a Dog Park.

Confederate Playground Dog Park – 956 Hubbard St., Jacksonville (map)

This fenced-in dog park is 2.87 acres and features areas for small, medium and large dogs, benches, shade spots, drinking water, a rinse station, lights and pavilions. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A frequent visitor to the park posted on doggoes.com, “We live a few blocks away from this park and go there almost daily. It is by far and away the best park we’ve ever found – free or otherwise. There are many clean-up stations (hand-sized plastic bag dispenser plus trashcan), doggy drinking fountains with built-in spigots and dishes. A wash-up area for dogs that got themselves too dirty for the drive home, very high fences, regular maintenance of the grounds, muddy areas get sanded, and three different areas to choose from. There’s a sidewalk that runs throughout in a loop, so you can get in a little walk, too, while your dogs go batty running in circles around your little pack of humans. All in all, it’s a must visit, whether you live here or are just passing through.”

Tom Brown Park – 501 Easterwood Dr., Tallahassee (map)

Tom Brown Park features two areas for small and large dogs, several trails, grassy hills (“Sound of Music,” anyone?) and lots of fun things for families with dogs to do on a beautiful day.

The dog park is fenced in and includes water fountains for four and two-legged guests. Each area is grassy with some sand, and disposal bags and trash cans are located next to one another at the entrance. If you want to have a picnic while your pooch plays with his pawls, then grab a table in one of the shady areas. As an added bonus, restrooms are within walking distance.

The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Barber Dog Park – 3701 Gatlin Ave., Orlando (map)

Barber Dog Park features separate areas for small and large dogs, agility equipment and a large covered seating area with benches and picnic tables for the humans to enjoy while their dogs play.

The park has a fence and is well-maintained with plenty of parking. There is a wash area for dirty pups, restrooms and plenty of drinking water for people and pooches.

However, it should be noted that there are no shady areas in this dog park, so please do not take your dog during the hottest hours of the day.

The park is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

West Park Dog Park – 6402 North Occident St., Tampa (map)

Open from sunrise to sunset, West Park Dog Park features two separate areas for small and large dogs, benches for people, lots of trees and patios for shade, drinking water and tubs for the dogs to cool the paws in.

Dog mom Lulu had this to say on doggoes.com, “I’ve taken my dogs to all the parks and beaches in Tampa, and in my opinion this is the best one. I’ve been coming to this park for about five years. There is tons of room for the dogs to run around, and lots of trees and shaded areas with benches, which is great for owners of dogs to keep out of the sun. It is really busy during the weekends, but on weekdays it’s really nice. People are always friendly for the most part, and most pick up after their dogs. My Lab-Retriever loves jumping in the tubs of water.”

North Shore Dog Park – 7th Ave. NE and Bay Shore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (map)

North Shore Dog Park offers fire hydrants and water fountains. It’s also close to the beach. It is open 30 minutes before the sun rises to 30 minutes after it sets.

Kim, a frequent park visitor, posted this about North Shore Dog Park on doggieswelcome.com: “Great clean dog park to take your paw friends. Nice and shady from all the Florida sun. My dogs love it here.”

Bark Park at Snyder Park – 3299 S.W. 4th Ave., Fort Lauderdale (map)

Bark Park is the dog park that dogs ask for by name, according to their website. We can understand why. This dog park features both small and large dog areas, two levels of drinking fountains for four and two-legged visitors. The park is fully-fenced and supervised. It has benches, agility equipment, two hose stations for dirty pooches, parking and ample poop bags and disposal bins.

Bark Park is open 7 a.m.  to 7 p.m. It is closed every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for cleaning.

Tropical Dog Park – 7900 SW 40 St., Miami (map)

Brand new to the Miami area, Tropical Dog Park offers two acres for dogs to play in. It features two separate areas, both of which have play equipment like tire jumps, window jumps, king-of-the-hill ramps, a dog walk and more.

There are also doggy drinking fountains, water sprays and pooper scoopers. Tropical Dog Park has a shade structure that overlaps both areas, a new promenade overlooking the park with benches and new shade and flowering trees.

A walkway connects all areas of the dog park, making it ADA accessible.

Higgs Beach Dog Park – White St. and Atlantic Blvd., Key West (map)

Higgs Beach Dog Park is the only park on our list with its own spokesdog, Fido.

Fido says, “Come on over to the Higgs Beach Dog Park! It’s the social spot for dogs in Key West — actually, two spots: We’ve got one for dogs weighing 25 pounds or less, and another, larger area (where you’ll usually find me) for dogs of all sizes. Bring along your owner and let’s have fun!”

This off-leash fenced-in park features grassy open spaces, shade, drinking water and bowls and benches for humans to relax on while their dogs play. It is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Category : Dog Parks & Beaches &TRAVEL TIPS