1. Jupiter Beach

Sombra, the black German Shepard companion to one of our readers, makes a striking figure along this windswept beach.

Note of 04-25-07: One of our readers points out a group called Friends of Jupiter Beach organized in 1994 after citizens complained about dogs on the beach. They work hard to keep this 2 1/2 mile stretch of beach leash-free with doggie bag dispensers and monthly volunteer clean ups.

Note of 02-20-07: Organizers of the Golden Retriever Palm Beach Meetup Group and the brand new Golden Retriever St. Augustine Meetup Group tell us dogs are allowed on the beach between Marcinski Drive (just north of the Juno Beach town line) to approximately 3 miles to the north at Carlin Park in Jupiter (where A-1-A turns away from the beach), to where the life guarded areas are. Dogs must be on leash, or off leash, under voice command at all times.

"That means dogs can, and do run off leash, as long as the respond to their parents commands. Going to the beach here at night is great because it is almost deserted and a pretty safe area."

Both groups mentioned above are free to join and they welcome new members.

Note of 07-27-06: A kind reader recently visited this park and had the following comments:

"Jupiter Beach has seven miles of beach where dogs may roam on the beach and get in the water. They have poop bags and showers intermittently along the sidewalk area. Parking, is of course difficult, as it is directly along A1A, but the earlier or later in the day you arrive the easier it is to find parking.

"When we approached Jupiter Beach along the A1A, we first passed along Juno Beach where signs prohibiting dogs on the beach were everywhere. From one side of the intersection (Juno Beach) to the other side (Jupiter Beach) is a whole other experience - not dog friendly to dog friendly. From the dogs we saw on the beach and the people we spoke to on the beach in Jupiter, it seems that everyone knows that if they are at Jupiter Beach, dogs are definitely going to be around.

"We always brings our own baggies, but the beach area did seem clean with regard to dog feces. We only saw one person who did not pick-up after his dog - thank goodness. In some areas, there are more broken shells at the shore and when you first walk in, but you can pick and choose the best spots. [Also] the surf can be quite strong, so people should make sure their 'fur kids' as well as their other kids are good swimmers."

2. Xanadu Road area

A reader tells us there is an area near this road, off State Road A1A, where unleashed dogs are allowed to play. Does anyone have more info about this area?

NOTE: We can't visit every area on a regular basis, so if you have information about any dog parks or beaches, or any other animal recreation facilities, in the Jupiter area, please contact FloridaPets.net.