DOGS LOVE SARASOTA, TOO! 

Restaurants, museums, great neighborhoods, luxury homes, miles of pristine beaches, and more than 200 parks make for a superlative quality of life in the Sarasota area. And Sarasota is also a paradise for dogs and their owners. Possibly no other Florida community offers dog-owners as many benefits.

Sarasota’s 17th Street Paw Park, at 4730 17th Street, offers plenty of room for your pet to run leash-free. Disposal bags are provided. There’s a drinking fountain just for dogs and a separate area for smaller pups. 17th Street Paw Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and there’s plenty of free parking.

Bayfront Park, open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., sits on Sarasota’s dynamic waterfront. Fido has to remain on his leash, but it’s a spectacular spot for scenic strolls. You’ll find concessions, restrooms, and free parking. You and your pooch can savor sunsets at the dog-friendly O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill, adjacent to the Park.

Bird Key Park is west of downtown and west of the Ringling Bridge, on Sarasota Bay. Fido will have to remain leashed, but there’s 3 acres to roam, and he can take a swim in Sarasota Bay. Bird Key Park is open from 6:00 a.m. until midnight daily.

Dogs can run leash-free at the fenced-in area at Arlington Park, 2650 Waldemere Street. There’s plenty of room for big dogs like greyhounds and whippets, and there’s a separate area for pups. Arlington Park features a playground, picnic area, restrooms, and free parking daily from sunrise to sunset.

Lakeview Paw Park, at 7150 Lago Street, is where Fido can run off-leash to his heart’s content. A doggie water fountain and disposal bags are provided. Jogging trails and a picnic area make this a fun, scenic park for the entire family. There’s even a doggie shower for those summer afternoons. Lakeview Paw Park is open from sunrise to sunset.

On Longboat Key, leashed dogs are welcome at Joan M. Durante Community Park, 5550 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The park offers a pavilion and fountain. You’ll see live oaks, sabal palms, banyan trees, and other native species. Boardwalks and numerous trails make for a fascinating stroll with Fido. Picnic tables, restrooms, and free parking are available. Durante Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Rules are different for each beach and park. Clean up after your dog and bring disposal bags; some parks supply them but they can run out, especially on weekends. Steep fines are in place for failure to clean up. Bring plenty of water; salt water will make Fido ill. Talk with fellow owners – you’ll get great insights and tips. It’s a paradise for people, but Sarasota is heaven for canine companions, too.