Note: Leashed dogs are permitted year around on the beaches of St. Johns County.

1. Davis Paw Park

Located at 2455 Palm Valley Rd, Palm Valley in St. Johns county, 4.5 miles west of A1A on County Road 210. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. This 139-acre park is free to the public and offers a large dog area, mutt mitts, benches, a pond, restrooms, picnic shelter, swimming pond, and benches.

Note of 05-19-06: One of our readers visited this park recently and offered the following comments:

"There is a pond to swim in (with gator warnings...supposedly they took a 4-footer out when they first opened but speaking with others, they have never seen another gator there) and a running area around the pond. I’m not sure on the hours and the 'poop' bags were not filled when I was there. It was still fairly nice and free."

Note of 03-09-04: Thank you to members of the Sandy Paws Dog Park in Wingate Park, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, who provided us with the information about this dog park.

2. Paws Dog Park

Located at 1595 Wildwood Drive, within the Treaty Park Complex. This park is open dawn to dusk. Offers leash-free play, separate small and large dog areas, fencing, watering holes, shaded area with benches, mock fire hydrant.

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 Palm Valley area, please contact FloridaPets.net.