Best Dog Parks in Florida

My dogs are my children, so I do everything I can to make their lives happy and healthy. I take them for daily walks, play with them all of the time, and cuddle with them at night--I dedicate my waking hours to their well-being. Even though I know they love me and my attention, there is one thing they love more--the dog park.
To my dogs, the dog park is the Promised Land. It's what they envision in their little doggie dreams at night and what they wake up hoping for every morning. The dog park is what they live for, and when I say the words "dog park," chaos ensues. There's crying and barking, and jumping around in the car all the way there. Once we pull up to the park, it's all over. They have arrived at their holy place, and all is right in their world.

Although it's a nightmare getting there, watching them playing with the other dogs is worth every minute of misery, and if your dog is sociable, I recommend that you allow him or her to experience doggie paradise at least once. Here are my picks for the best dog parks in Florida:

1) Dog Wood Park: This park located in Jacksonville is said to be the largest dog park in the country. When my husband and I moved to Jacksonville, we couldn't believe our luck when we went there for the first time. The park has 25 fenced acres that include walking trails, an agility course, and the best part-a huge lake that the dogs can swim in! The lake comes equipped with a doggie lifeguard, and on a Saturday or Sunday, there are anywhere from 20-40 dogs all splashing around at one time! Dog Wood also offers tubs where you can bath your dogs. For a fee, they provide the tub, towels, and shampoo. The only drawback to Dog Wood-they charge admission. It's ten dollars for the first dog and an extra dollar for each additional dog in the same family, or you can become a member for a few hundred dollars a year. It's definitely worth it!

2) Lake Ida Dog Park: This park located in Delray, Florida is a smaller park--only 2 ½ acres, but it is a very nice place to take the dogs. The park has separate areas for small and large dogs, and plenty of room to run. There are also a lot of benches situated in the park and some shady areas as well. When the dogs have had it for the day, there is an area for rinsing or bathing before you get back in the car. Best of all-this park is free, and there are always plenty of dogs there in the evening and on the weekends.

3) Davis Island Dog Park: This park is located on beautiful Davis Island in Tampa and is just steps from the Tampa Bay. The park is divided into two parts--one area is grassy and fenced where dogs can run and play, and the other fenced area has a long stretch of beach where the dogs can swim in the Tampa Bay. Whatever side you choose, it's a great place to spend the day. The location is nice, it's 100 percent free, and the dogs love it!