It’s an age-old trick—adorable canines have the ability to steal a double take from almost any passerby, and if you’re single, these fluffy, four-legged friends are the perfect segue to conversation with an attractive stranger.
Whether you have a critter of your own or you’re simply an animal lover, the dog park is no doubt your best bet to bat eyes at someone new.
Regardless of which location you choose, off-leash parks are wide open for running and playing and great for Spot and Fido to improve their social skills with new dogs. Snarling fights are rare and doggie-style humping is fairly common, yet most owners agree problems between pets are uncommon and usually cleared up between the mutts themselves. Most conflicts are actually at fault of overprotective pet parents nervous about heavy play and barking, or those owners who fail to pick up a turd or two. (To be on the safe side, wear shoes with minimal grooves.)
Each park has its own set of rules, but all require owners to watch their dog at all times, regulating bad behavior and picking up their poop. For your pet’s safety and that of others, all dogs must have had their shots before entering the park. Minneapolis operated off-leash parks also require a permit for each animal and city residents must have pet licenses for their dogs. Park Police rarely come by to check tags, but be warned—the fine is a big stink.
Here's a list of the open spaces in the metro that make the hounds think they're in heaven. (And if
you already have a significant other, you can go, too, since the park if filled with people who like
to yak about pet issues, trading advice about training, diet and all things
relating to your favorite pooch.)
Lake of the Isles
2845 E. Lake of the
Isles Parkway, Minneapolis
Only a step off the lake trails, this park is a perfect break from the leash. Due to its busy location, this park is most popular for its abundant human social scene. A mix of nearby residents and suburbanites, there are plenty of chances to spark love connections—101 Dalmatians style. On nice days, the park fills up especially fast, dogs wrestling and chasing one another, usually swirling around groups of owners. It’s important to keep your knees bent, since fast dogs could be mistaken for linebackers. If you’re without dog, hang out by the fence for a good view of the action, minus the mucky wood chips and paw prints on your thighs. If you own a smaller breed, the park is split, offering an area specifically for tiny dogs.
Loring Park
1650 Harmon Place,
Minneapolis
Loring Park has always been a great place to take the dog for a walk, but the new off-leash section makes for a nice change. Long and narrow, the fenced in area is more a dog run. Some perks: big rocks and climbable structures for dogs, benches and sculpture for people. This park is geared for those who like a calmer and less congested version of the other, more animated dog parks. Dogs get a chance to roam through the trees at their pace, while owners have the option of enjoying more intimate conversations in the shade. You may find a scattered collection of brown paper bags, but you’ll have to bring your own for poop pick-up.
Airport Park
Hwy 62 and 28th Avenue, Richfield
Directly alongside the Minneapolis-St.Paul airport runway, the Airport Park is unsuspectingly a great place for the hounds to roam. A large open field of green grass, woods, marsh and swamp give dogs the chance to experience it all in one play date. Even though the park is spread out, people and their pets tend to gather for friendly gossip. The open space is optimal for playing with the Frisbee and the frozen pond is a fun walk in the winter. Keep in mind the noise from the jets is quite loud and more annoying than any Shitzu’s yip. This park doesn’t cost a dime to enter or require certification, but that means guests must bring their own means for crap collecting.
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Located on Country Road 202, Maple Grove
A little harder to find, Elm Creek Park is 29 acres of possibilities for your pup to mark its territory. Nestled in woodsy Minnesota, this park is all about the nature and adventuring. Five miles of dog walking trails, not to mention ponds, streams, squirrels, birds and all kinds of country smells that are sure to make your city dog’s tail wag with curiosity. This park may not help you meet an executive or Uptown hipster, but bring some trail mix to share and you might make friends with a fellow outdoorsman and pup.
Egan Park, City of Plymouth
17105 Co. Rd. 47,
Plymouth
Hidden on a winding back road, The City of Plymouth has
created a dog park for all those hounds stuck in duplex developments with no
creative spaces to run and/or go potty. Woods all around, the park is an open
field with plenty of room to explore. With a lack of off-leash parks in the
‘burbs, this park gets a variety of visitors, most of whom are more than
excited to be meeting other dog enthusiasts. There are benches and picnic tables,
as well as a small shelter for owners who need some shade during sunny
afternoons.
Minnehaha Park
5399 S. Minnehaha Park Drive, Minneapolis, MN
The king of dog friendly spaces, Minnehaha Park itself is
huge. This being said, this park is known to be a little less social than the
others. Take your happy Terrier or Labrador for a long walk through the park,
stopping in the off-leash area to run off that extra energy.
Websites to hunt for other locations:
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