You and your pet deserve some time together! There is nothing more refreshing than spending a day at the beach or in a dog park. If you are looking for a place to take man’s best friend, we found 14 dog parks and beaches that will make both you and your pet happy.
Your dog needs an outlet for energy so they do not get bored at home all day while you’re at work or doing errands around town; dogs need exercise! Providing them with a place where they can run around and play with other dogs gives them something constructive to do. It also helps develop good behavior and teaches social skills which can be beneficial in the real world if they ever come in contact with another dog. Not knowing how to interact with other dogs can lead to problems.
Taking your dog for a walk is one great outlet for releasing energy. In addition to walking, you will want to find a place for your pet to run and play in. These spaces give them the chance to be themselves without any constraints or limitations. This often leads to less anxious behavior.
While the beaches in Longboat Key, Bradenton & Sarasota do not allow pets, local dog parks and one dog beach a short drive away are great alternatives. In this post, we will highlight some of the best places to go for a day trip with your pup. Our list is an excellent resource for those moving to Longboat Key or Sarasota with four-legged friends.
Here Are the Dog Parks and Beaches You’ve Been Looking For
While bristarealty.com provides details about the Sarasota & Longboat Key lifestyle, we also love sharing valuable real estate information. As an example, below our list of dog parks and beaches, you will find real estate links where you can browse pet-friendly homes for sale in Sarasota and Longboat Key, Florida.
| Leash Required | Off- Leash | Beach/Swimming | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17th St. Paw Park | √ | ||
| Arlington Dog Park | √ | ||
| Bayfront Park | √ | ||
| Bird Key Park | √ | √ | |
| Brohard Beach & Paw Park | √ | √ | |
| Dog Leg Park | √ | ||
| Holmes Beach Dog Park | √ | ||
| Joan M. Durante Park | √ | ||
| Laurie Crawford Dog Park | √ | ||
| Longwood Park | √ | ||
| Paw Patch Park | |||
| Ringling Bridge Causeway Park | √ | √ |
17th St. Paw Park
Type: Off-leash park dog park | Dog park for small dogs | Dog park for large dogs
Address: 4570 17th St., Sarasota (17th Street between Honore & Beneva)
This dog park is full of dog lovers, dog toys, and dog activity. It is the largest dog park in Sarasota County with two acres of land for dogs to have fun. It offers many things including a small dog area, hoses for water, benches, shade trees, and double-gated entries. Your furry friend will love this dog park!
The dog park hours are 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
Bayfront Park
Type: Off-leash park dog park | Dog park for small dogs | Dog park for large dogs
Address: 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228
This Longboat Key dog park has plenty of room for you and your pet to enjoy each other’s company. There are benches that overlook the bay as well as a dock where you can watch boats come in and out from the Gulf Coast. It also offers easy access to restrooms, picnic tables, water fountains, and parking areas.
Bird Key Park
Type: Off-leash park dog park | Dog park on the beach
Address: 200 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota, FL 34236
Bird Key Park is a great place to bring your dog for a walk (leash required) or an off-leash swim. Parking is just west of the bridge across the street from the Bird Key neighborhood.
The pet-friendly park features a dog waste station and an automatic dog water bowl to keep the dogs hydrated. In addition, there is a hose-down area for your pup after they go for a splash. The park is open 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Brohard Beach & Paw Park
Address: 1600 Harbor Drive, Venice, FL
Type: Off-leash park dog park | Dog park on the beach
This pet-friendly beach in Venice is dog heaven and will be well worth the drive. If you like dog parks and beaches, then this is the perfect hang-out. Better yet, your pup will have a blast playing with lots of other canines and enjoying the surf and sand. Pet owners are respectable for picking up after their dogs. Therefore you will find this off-leash dog park on the beach to be in pristine condition.
Dog Leg Park
Type: Off-leash park dog park | Park for small dogs | Park for large dogs
Address: 7550 69th Street East, Palmetto, FL 34221
This 3-acre off-leash Sarasota dog park has an enclosed area for small or elderly dogs. Amenities include a doggie drinking fountain, waste bags, and covered shelter.
Holmes Beach Dog Park
Type: Off-leash park dog park | Park for small dogs | Park for large dogs
Address: 51st Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209
Managed by the City of Holmes Beach, this dog park is smaller, offering a place for your dog to run and play. There is a hose for water, but you must bring your bowl. The shade at this park is limited.
Joan M. Durante Park
Type: On-leash dog park
Address: 5550 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228
The town of Longboat Key has provided pet-friendly water fountains for the pups. Check out their nature area. It is a perfect pet-friendly park to walk your dog. Hours are 7 AM to 8:30 PM.
Lakeview Paw Park
Type: Off-leash park dog park | Park for small dogs | Park for large dogs
Address: 7150 Lago Street, Sarasota (Between Proctor & Bee Ridge)
A shared entry leads to the separate gated areas, one for small dogs and a separate area for larger dogs. There is a shared drinking area, benches, picnic tables, but no covered shelter. The Lakeview Paw Park in Sarasota is open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Laurie Crawford Dog Park
(Formerly Happy Trails Park)
Type: Off-leash park dog park | Dog park for small dogs | Dog park for large dogs
Address: 2811 51st Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209
The Bradenton dog park is open from sunrise until sunset. Laurie Crawford Dog Park is a fenced, 3-acre park located at the northern corner of GT Bray Park. It offers doggie drinking fountains, waste bags, and fenced areas for small dogs.
Longwood Park
Type: On-leash dog park
Address: 6050 Longwood Run Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Dogs are allowed, but there is no designated dog park. A leash is a requirement at this county-maintained dog-friendly park in Sarasota. The park hours are 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Paw Patch Park
Type: Off-leash park dog park | Dog park for small dogs | Dog park for large dogs
Address: 7025 44th Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34203
Paw Patch Park is a 2-acre off-leash dog park located in the community of Creekwood in East Bradenton. There are separate fenced areas for small and large dogs.
Ringling Bridge Causeway Park
Address: Parking is located at the east end of the John Ringling Bridge.
Located in Bird Key Park in Sarasota, just before the John Ringling Bridge, this park is on the water. Not only will you love it, but your dog will also love it too.
We hope you find this guide to dog parks and beaches in the Longboat Key and Sarasota areas helpful. If there are dog parks and beaches that you would like to have included in this list, please reach out and let us know.
Below, browse our list of Longboat Key homes for sale that allow pets. These properties are located near the best places to take man’s best friend.
Planning to Move? Check out these best places to live for your pet.
The below homes for sale in Longboat Key & Sarasota will put you in close proximity to our local dog parks and beaches.
Pet Friendly Homes in Longboat Key, Florida