Fort Lauderdale General Note: Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed to visit all Broward County Parks except Hollywood North Beach Park (beachside) and the following Nature Centers: Anne Kolb, Secret Woods, Fern Forest, Tall Cypress, Hillsboro Pineland, and Deerfield Island. Reader Notes: "I've searched Ft. Lauderdale and talked with other dog guardians who agree that, 'Ft. Lauderdale parks are NOT dog friendly.' Every park I've visited, excluding Bark Park (see below) and John U. Lloyd State Park in North Dania Beach, have rules prohibiting dogs. Even the smallest of clearings that have a bench or picnic table or some sort of signage identifying itself as a 'park' also are posted 'NO DOGS'." 1. Canine Beach Located on a stretch of ocean beach, beginning at Sunrise and A1A and continuing on for 100 yards to the north at Lifeguard Stand # 14, just north of Sunrise Blvd. Hours vary according to season; check web site given below A permit is required to use this beach and you must have it with you (fees vary.) There is usually a park ranger on site that can take care of a day permit. For more information, call 954-828-7275, or visit web site above. 2. North of Sunrise Blvd. Right before where the hotels start on the east side of A1A. There's no life guard and a dog is free to swim and play in the sand. Some readers have suggested keeping your dog leashed (or at least attached) in case you have to grab him/her when people walk by on the beach. Otherwise they can pretty much run free as long as you have control of the dog. Bring plenty of plastic bags to pick up the poop to keep everyone happy. Permit required. Reader Notes: "The parks above, #1 and #2, are the same location. This stretch of the beach is ALL OFF LEASH dog play. Yes, OFF LEASH dog play. This is not a fenced in area, so if a dog is not well-mannered, it can be an unsafe area. During daylight savings time it is open on FRI, SAT and SUN from 5-9 pm. After daylight savings time it is 3-7 pm on those day. There is a city park truck that sits on the beach and will take the fee when you walk onto the beach. It is suppose to be $5.70 per dog but this person collects $6.00." 3. Colohatchee Park Located at 1975 NE 15th Avenue. Closed Tuesdays. Reader Notes: This park is in a nice location and very clean. 4. Hugh Taylor Birch Park The beach at this park, located just south of Sunrise Blvd., is a great place to take furry friends. Reader Notes: "This park has no beach access, dogs must remain leashed, and there are additional restrictions." 5. Bark Park at Snyder Park Located at 3299 SW 4th Avenue, just north of the Fort Lauderdale airport. Dogs must remain in the car until arrival at the Bark Park (dogs are not allowed in the remainder of Snyder Park.) Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Daylight Savings Time, otherwise 6:30 p.m. Entrance fee: See below as this changes periodically. Features: fenced, benches, handicap facilities, trees, poop bags, parking, restrooms, water, trashcans, agility equipment, separate small dog area, two hose stations, drinking fountains, two open air pavilions and a small nature area. Those using the facility must show proof of vaccinations. Directions: I-95, exit State Road 84 east. Turn right on 4th Avenue. Park is on right at intersection with I-595. Reader Notes: "The fee is $1.00 per person, only on the weekends. This is entrance to the whole park. The dry dog park and dog lake are included. During the week there is NO fee and the dry dog park and dog lake are both open year-round. The dry dog park is great! They recently re-soded it. It has a large dog area and a small dog area. Both which have their own hoses for washing off fido. They even have a separate enclosure for dogs that might get overwhelmed. They have 2 pavilion areas with covered benches for 'mom and dad.' There are also multiple doggy do do bag stations located around the dry dog park and lake. The dog lake is gorgeous. It's fenced in all the way around. There are picnic benches and regular benches at the lake for the humans to sit." "On Saturdays and Sundays, they have a doggie swim program, fee of $1.00. If someone has questions they can call 954-828-4585 or 954-828-3647." "There is also a fresh water lake at this dog park, where you and your dog can romp and swim leash free weekends and holidays only, from March to December for a fee of about $1.50." 6. The Riverwalk: Linear Park Rover can roam along New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale in an area behind the Broward Center for Performing Arts to about 500 East Las Olas Blvd. Permitted daily from sunrise - 2 a.m. The Riverwalk is a type of boardwalk dotted with businesses and restaurants, so make sure your dog behaves. Pooper scoopers are available in boxes along the Riverwalk - please use them! 7. Woodville Dog Park Located in North Lauderdale at 500 SW 83rd Avenue. Contact phone number for more information is: 954-726-0274. Reader Notes: "This is a great park. They recently finished some renovations. It had a drainage problem which has been fixed and they planted grass so there's not as much dirt for our canine friends to get muddy in. The park has baby pools for the dogs to cool off in. A few above ground dog tunnels and it is big enough for a good run. A wash area to clean up you dog after a great day of playing. They have also planted bushes to make the view a nice one. There have been some instances with aggressive dogs and owners not taking responsibilty, so be careful with that. But all in all, I have enjoyed this park almost as much as my two dogs and have found most owners very social and responsible." 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 Fort Lauderdale area, please contact FloridaPets.net.

Contact Us | Places to Play | Places to Vacation | Places to Eat | Places to Live | Florida Friendly Directory | Events | Pet Photo Album | Articles | Message Forum | Advertising Rates | Product Reviews | Animal Quotes | Praises & Piddles | Pet Freebies | Spay/Neuter Programs | Link Exchange Program | Testimonials | Site Map | Privacy Statement | Memorials | Newsletter Archives | RSS Article Feed | Home | Web www.floridapets.net Copyright "Those infringing will be enrolled in obedience training."