Central Florida Green Guide

What about Central Florida’s dog parks? Which ones are best for young children to visit? First things first. If you plan to bring multiple children and dogs, you’ll need some help. You’ll want to have one adult for every dog and child. This will give you maximum control.

Your next strategy should be to choose a smaller park for your first few visits, and try to go at a less busy time. If you are able, a first timer should consider a week day visit, rather than Saturday or Sunday.

Pawmosa Park is Shady and Cozy: Great for a Hot Summer Day

Keep in mind that it isn’t just your child who is learning to act appropriately in a dog park. It is also easier for Fido to integrate himself socially with a smaller pack at first. Dogs need to learn to socialize correctly also, and this means allowing a friendly butt-sniff. Yep! In the dog world, this is considered the ultimate friendly handshake. As one dog owner I know cleverly put it, “This is how they exchange business cards.” No matter how distasteful you might find this practice, it is natural and friendly for dogs to greet this way.

First timers should check out Pawmosa Park at 140 Plumosa Avenue in Casselberry 32707. Check this link for a map. It is open Sunrise to Sunset. If you have questions or comments, call (407) 262-7720. This is a very small, shady park with nice water facilities and a separate area for small dogs. It is a good place to start your exploration of the Orlando area dog parks because, being so small, you’ll be easily able to keep track of your dog and your child. This is critical to your success.

Pawmosa's Play Area is Surrounded by Sidewalks and Benches

On the contrary, even experienced dog handlers might find Fleet People’s Park in Winter Park too much, with a toddler and multiple dogs to keep track of. This park is huge and difficult to maintain visibility of more than one dog and children, too. Although the lakefront swimming area is one of this park’s greatest assets, it can be a problem, as the result is often a lot of wet, energetic dogs that sometimes run in groups and can be hazardous to a younger child walking alone.

After you’ve become a regular dog park visitor, your seasoning will give you the confidence to venture out to other dog parks—ones with more space, obstacles, dogs, people and new adventures. Here are a few places you can research dog parks in our area, to find ones that are close by or have features you desire.

• Orange County Dog Parks
• Florida Pets
• Orlando and Central Florida Dog Parks
• Off-Leash Parks in the Orlando Area
• Orlando and Central Florida Dog Parks Blog

If variety is the spice of life for us, imagine the excitement of a new dog park to your pup and your children. Yes, I am suggesting that you enjoy visiting a number of parks. You’ll eventually settle on a favorite, and meet a lot of nice people and pups in the process. Best of all, your children will be learning about the social structure of canine packs–Mother Nature at work.

I’d like to wrap us this series on green family fun at the dog park with a note on good citizenship. Dog parks were created for friendly dogs to have a place to run free. Most are government owned and this means tax dollars support your fun. You can do your part to help keep them clean, green and open by taking care to clean up after your pet. Set the example for your child by picking up a few extra piles while you’re at it, and you’ll soon have another green volunteer in your family, helping to keep our dog parks healthy for us all.

Want to learn more about how you can help? Visit Adopt a Dog Park for information on how you can volunteer to care for your favorite dog park. You can be your furry best friend’s hero. See you at the park!

Be Your Dog's Hero! Tanner Greets a New Friend