Checking out different off-leash play areas for my giant-breed pup and today's adventure was to…read moreBlue Heron. It's a fairly short ride from my home, and the description sounded nice. The good points: easy access off of River Road, adequate parking, nice sally port setup for both small dog and large dog enclosures, water bowls and fountains for both people and pets, umbrella-shaded seating areas in both enclosures, and waste bags and disposal bins in both areas. As for the not-so-good points, while there are the above-mentioned shaded seating areas for people, there really are none for dogs, nor are there any trees in or near the large dog enclosure at all. (I don't recall seeing any in the small dog enclosure either, but I may just not have looked carefully enough.) If it's anything but early morning or late evening, your dog has no choice but to be in full sun at this park. And the second detractor from this little park is that while the walking paths around the enclosures are wide and well kept, and are paved with shell in areas, they also all traverse pretty dense underbrush on both sides in some areas, and next to perfectly suited gator habitat ponds in others. Don't get me wrong - I'm not an anti-gator person AT ALL: I have always said since I first stepped foot in Florida 16 years ago that alligators (along with Florida's other apex predators, venomous snakes, disease-carriers like armadillos, venomous spiders, and protected species like burrowing owls and gopher tortoises) were in Florida long before I or anyone reading this was, and they belong here. I'm of the opinion that it is up to **US** to stay away from and leave **THEM** alone, not the other way around. That said, though, to see signs warning about gators and snakes along the walking paths is one thing if humans are the most prevalent non-native species to visit it. We take our own risks and unless they're very large, gators are USUALLY not interested in prey as large as a person. It's a different situation, however, when dogs are as likely as humans to be on that path, and that just seems like a very unwise idea to me, especially with all the stories we hear in the news about people walking their dogs too close to alligator habitat and losing their pets to a hungry gator as a result. After letting my puppy explore the large dog enclosure for a bit I started to walk him around the park, but after only a few yards, eyeing up the water (3 separate, large, unfenced ponds that I could see - not that fencing will necessarily stop a gator as they ARE known to climb them), the sluices, and the dense underbrush around, I decided it wasn't really a good idea, and we returned home. So a pretty park, and if it's just you and you want to walk the perimeter as well, probably a good place for those morning or evening laps. If it's you and your dog, probably wiser to stay in one of the enclosures, and with no trees for your dog to lie and relax under between play bouts, avoid high sun hours altogether.

Great walking/ running trails. Nice Florida nature setting with pond views. Plenty of benches to…read moretake in the views, bird watch or rest. Has 2 dog parks for your little friends. I didn't give it 5 stars because there was some construction and parts of the trails were closed.

Located just one block east of the 41 in Osprey, Bay Street Dog Park provides a one-acre off-leash…read morepark. This is an ideal playground for dogs and their owners. Divided into two separate, fenced-in areas for large and small dogs, it ensures that every dog can play freely and safely. The park is setup with dog exercise equipment, water fountains and shaded seating. My favorite time to visit is just before dinner when there are usually plenty of dogs looking to get some socialized playtime. Enjoy!

Our first time here and love it. Lots of shade and parking. Very cute activities for large and…read moresmall dogs. I heard about this park a couple of years ago and very happy that I finally made it effort.

Dogggg friendly. We were with smokers. No rules. Same Gulf. Clean. No rules. That is Florida life…read more Love it!

The paw Park is amazing. We've been here many times and never have had a bad experience. Most…read morepeople are very polite and will clean up any mess Their dog may leave behind. There are a few I've seen that don't pick up their dogs poop. We've always experienced nice kind people and the dogs just seemed to come around you. We have a little Australian Shepherd and she loves the Paw Park. She has never had any issues with any of the dogs, regardless of size? I highly recommend the dog beach as we call it.

Large, filthy park in the middle of a sketchy neighbourhood, where no one picks up after their pets…read more(probably because they're are no bags provided anywhere and these transient people are lazy). The grounds are not maintained-dirt and dead leaves, no grass. There is NO lighting. It smells awful, and although my furbabies were curious, I could see multiple scenes where people had clearly stepped in "mess" and tried scraping off their shoes on the concrete and sidewalk. I was not about to let my previous puppers in that filth. We didn't get past the first gate, and left in disgust. Make the drive to Venice. Worth peace of mind.

This is an off-leash park. You can let your dog off-leash once you get through the entrance…read moregates/walkway. My dog has a good time here. It's not a huge park, but there is plenty of room for dogs to play around. There is a smaller section for "small dogs" and then a larger section for "large dogs". In my 3 visits here, I've noticed that people end up feeling comfortable enough to bring their small dogs into the bigger section. You can bring your own dog toys (which I usually do) but there are plenty of balls, frisbees and toys here. They also have a small obstacle course for the dogs and some small "hills". There is also a water station to wash your dog off and/or to provide drinking water; I usually bring my own water for my dog. There are a few benches scattered about the park and some trees for shade.

Went for the first time yesterday with my very young giant-breed puppy. Upon arrival one dog…read morealready in the large-dog side of the enclosed area seemed a little forceful and intimidating, both for me and my puppy, as we approached the gate inside the sallyport. And as it was my pup's first experience with a dog park / "play date" since I've owned him, I really wanted it to be a positive one for him, so I started to back off of the gate where the other dog was. To my great surprise, the owner of the other dog, while assuring me that his dog wouldn't hurt mine, ultimately showed tremendous kindness and understanding and offered, since there were no other dogs in it, the idea of me taking my pup to the small dog side and letting him run the fence line opposite his dog so they could safely get to know one another. (I hadn't thought of it myself out of respect for "small dog" rules posted at the front of the park, not realizing that it was unoccupied at the time.) Not only that, but a very kindly young woman who also had her (much less assertive) big dog over on that side, offered to bring him over to the small dog side for a while so my puppy would have someone to play with directly as well. And that's what we did. Not long after, the gentleman with the more assertive dog packed up and left, and the younger lady and I both moved our dogs back to the large dog side, as smaller dogs were now arriving to play too. I have to say, every owner of other dogs at the park yesterday morning was nothing but kind, considerate, and absolutely interested in helping my pup have a good time, including the now-arriving small dog owners who could easily have been unhappy to see my big guy in the small dog enclosure. All were welcoming, friendly, and kind. By the time I left, about 90 minutes later, my dog had met a dozen or two other big and small dogs, and while he was still getting used to the idea, it WAS a very positive experience - both for him AND for me. All owners were observant and acted very responsibly about making sure their dogs behaved well and were picked up after as needed. The park grounds and facility are unexpectedly nice, with a wonderfully well-designed sallyport entry / exit / rinse off configuration for both sides of the park, plenty of parking, shade and seating, water bowls and spigots, waste bags and receptacles, and my dog and I enjoyed the experience enough that we definitely plan to return. I did learn from the other owners that being there in the summer is a lot nicer than in season, when it can become very crowded. But it's a really nice exercise and socialization opportunity for my puppy, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a great "play date" experience for themselves and their dog. Good people and really nice park!

I go with my small dog a couple times a week. It's clean,easy to get into and out safely. Large…read moredogs and small dogs are seperated. Each side is very large. People are friendly and respect your dog. The are water spots where the dogs can drink and a place were you can hose your friend off if needed. Great park! People bathroom plus ample parking.

A current five that is probably descending into a three which won't make it a four. Why? My retired…read moreLAPD buddy has the inside track on new plans to cut 17th Street Dog Park in half and add T-ball for kiddos that probably won't use it and don't really need to either. I played college baseball and I started out in my backyard hitting balls off a Brooklyn Union Gas cone, by myself with a Louisville Slugger that was bigger than me. I could barely get it off my shoulder but I wanted a professional baseball bat so badly and Santa came thru. This park has lots of grass so the large breeds can really open up and tear arse up and down, left and right and back again. Because you see, with grass they gain traction and dogs are less likely to dig holes which could cause a leg break. But let's destroy the parks of largest the loves that some families have and live to dictate our pleasures by their lives by their noise machines that are far too young to be playing this type of game. Basketball no football no baseball no tennis no golf no volleyball no soccer yes. But annoying parents on these silly boards of the who knows who, the corrupted the selfish just to see little Johnny in a uniform with the helmet fifty times too big that little Johnny can't even see. Awwww, how cuuuuute.. They can point to first base if little Johnny makes contact because little Johnny has no idea which way to run and will likely disobey and run towards third base anyway and I suppose that's good for more laughs whilst I cringe and steam. It's so cute for these follies to play out every weekend for two hours to a nail biting, exciting and riveting zero zero tie -- for the entire season. Two hours a week to take half the park? Nice planning necks.

Only GOD loves you more than your DOG! #ReflectDogs Love &…read moreForgiveness If it had a water feature it would most certainly be a five-star Park! It has a very nice double-gated entry and it has multiple places to sit that are shaded by trees in groupings all over the park. There are a couple nice water stations as well as book bag dispensers and trash cans spaced all throughout the park. There is more than enough room for your dog to get a good run going no matter how big it is. It seems like a pretty mellow and calm crowd! There is a cool little Beach area in the back that has the agility items in it. You can park right outside of the dog park on a nice dirt lot.

Too much dirt. Our dogs were filthy when we left. If your dog is a digger then they would like this…read morepark

Fantastic little park with convenient water supply for the dogs. I suggest bringing your own bowl…read morefor the water. The park features distinct sections for small and large dogs, as well as various trails consisting of gravel, dirt, and grass.

Beautiful late afternoon for a quick run at the dog park. This is our favorite. It's redone and…read morehas lots of room for large dogs as well as a separate area for small ones. Very clean and there's a large bath with water and it's also a place to get fresh water for your puppy. Water bowls are plentiful as well as doggy pick up areas with bags. Freckled runs around for a little while then expects us to take her for a pup cup at Starbucks after. She's such a good girl! So glad she found us!

Hounds of Henry is a great place to take your fur babies. It is clean and kept up well. Miss Skippy…read moreenjoys her running with her many friends, she even chills out sometimes.