There’s no love better than slobbery kisses from your pooch, the four-legged critters who warm their way into your hearts. Like their human counterparts, dogs need exercise too and many love to play outside. The city of Tampa, FL is a pet-friendly environment where you can find several dog parks to visit on any given day. Here are some of the top Tampa dog parks to consider when Fido gets cabin fever.
1. West Park Dog Park
Located on N Occident Street, West Park Dog Park offers a place for all size dogs to run off-leash. On the 5-acre property, there are two separate areas, one for small dogs and one for larger breeds, to maintain safety. The larger run gives you plenty of room to join your pet in a game of fetch or catch, grabbing a workout at the same time.
While your pup romps around, you can sit at the provided covered picnic tables, or take a seat under one of the many trees for shade. Since summers tend to get hot in the tropical climate, the facility sets up a baby pool that dogs can cool off in while they splash around, and there’s always access to water and a hose. Picking up and disposing of waste is easy, as the facility provides plenty of garbage bins and baggies. The only downside to the park is that parking can be sparse, and there’s no restroom to use while you’re there. Lights from the baseball field make the park enjoyable, even after dusk.
2. Al Lopez Park
Named after the famous baseball player, Al Lopez Park caters to pets and people alike with something for everyone to do, no matter what time of day you visit. The park, which is located on S MacDill Avenue, opens bright and early at 5 a.m., and stays open until 10 p.m. daily. It’s easy to access, sitting just off Himes Avenue, and has designated areas for small and large breeds to keep dogs separated by size. While your pooch spends his energy, you can sit on the benches and watch, or engage in a friendly game of fetch in the larger area where there’s more room. While portions of the park are pet-friendly, there are some people-only areas that have clearly marked signs, such as the walking trails and the picnicking areas.
3. Gadsden Park
If you’re looking for a large, open grassy area for your pooch to explore or to lay in while soaking up the Florida sun, Gadsden Park is a must-visit. Here, you’ll find three gated areas for dogs of different sizes, with doggie bags and disposal bins for waste. When Fido gets hot, which doesn’t take long, you can lead him to the water bins for a drink, or bring along your own bowl and fill it up at the fountain. You can park yourself underneath one of the several large trees to enjoy reading under the shade while your dog romps, or join in on the fun.
4. Davis Island Dog Beach
If you have a water breed, you won’t want to miss a trip to the Davis Island Dog Beach. One of the most popular Tampa dog parks, it resembles a real beach with a sandy area and water for the dogs to swim and splash around in. While the water is often murky, the facility provides a hose so you can wash your pooch off before leaving. The water is mostly shallow, but it does get deeper when you stroll out for a bit, so if you’re taking a dog that has little to no exposure to beaches, it’s best to keep an eye on them. There’s a few benches set up where you can sit and relax while your furry friend plays. The entire area is closed in, making it a safe place for dogs to run free off-leash.
5. Rowlett Dog Park
Located on E Yukon Street, Rowlett Dog Park caters to pets with a huge fenced-in area for pets to romp and mingle. Many enjoy playing and training in the agility and obstacle course station, which also gives you a place to train your pooch for upcoming competitions. There’s plenty of water and bowls available for your pooch to cool off with, or you can bring your own bowl along. The park has plenty of benches for you to sit on, as well as plenty of shady areas. An added bonus for this Tampa dog park is there are walking trails that welcome your dog to join you for a stroll, giving you a variety of ways to exercise your pet.
Whether your dog is a get-up-and-go kind of pooch, or simply finds solace in the sun, you can find a place near your home in Tampa, Florida to enjoy outdoor time together. Let Movoto help you make the most of your new home and neighborhood, for every member of the family, whether they have two legs or four.
2 Point Highlight
The city of Tampa, FL is a pet-friendly environment where you can find several dog parks to visit on any given day.
Whether your dog is a get-up-and-go kind of pooch, or simply finds solace in the sun, you can find a place near your home in Tampa, Florida to enjoy outdoor time together.
