Living in a city can be hard for dogs, especially when they don’t have the room to play and exercise. A healthy dog needs quality playtime with its owner and enough room to exercise and get out all its energy. St. Paul offers a variety of dog parks for you to choose from. Maybe you need a new daily park, or you’re just passing through town. Whatever your reason for visiting, here is our list of the 4 best dog parks in St. Paul.
1. Meeker Island Dog Park
Found between Minneapolis and St. Paul is the Meeker Island Dog Park. Thes dog area is on the banks of the Mississippi River. Here your dog can swim and splash all day long. The off-leash area is not fenced in, so if your dog likes to make a run for it once they’re off-leash, this park may not be the best option. The sandy beaches of the river can leave your furry friend covered in mud once you’re ready to head home. Regular visitors to the park donate some doggy poop bags to help keep the area clean. This area of the river can get busy with people looking to swim. The busiest times tend to be the evening. Mornings and early afternoons are pretty quiet.
2. Lowertown Dog Park
In the middle of Saint Paul, you can find a small dog-play area called Lowertown Dog Park. Near the park, you will see the City of Baseball Museum and CHS Field. This is a small dog park located on the side of a hill. The landscaping is a mix of gravel and dirt/grass patches. The entrance has a leashing cage so all dogs can safely enter and exit the park. Small trees and shrubs are spread around the park, providing shade for you and your pooch. Flat top stone slabs and benches have been placed around the park and are used as seating for owners while they watch their pups. A doggy fountain and some dog bowls can be found inside the off-leash area. Doggy bags and trash cans can be found at the park entrance, making it easy to clean up after your furry friend. From this dog park, you can see inside the baseball stadium that’s right next door. This can make the dog park a perfect spot for baseball-loving dog owners.
3. Arlington Arkwright Off-Leash Dog Park
The Arlington Arkwright off-leash dog park is a large, naturally landscaped dog play area. You can find this dog park in north-central Saint Paul. With nearly 5 acres of land, your pooch is sure to have a fantastic time playing and meeting new friends. The rainy and wet seasons can leave this park fairly muddy. There’s no running water available in the park, so you might be taking home a dirty pup. With no running water, that means no water fountain. The park doesn’t provide doggy waste bags either, so make sure to bring your own. Picnic tables and benches are spread all over the park, so you can always have a place to relax while your pooch plays. This dog park has a large number of trees and various hills, so there are tons of places for your dog to explore. Due to its large size, the park never really gets full. The best time for your dog to meet new friends is evenings and weekends when it gets busy.
4. High Bridge Dog Park
Inside High Bridge park near the Mississippi River, you can find the High Bridge dog park. This is a 7-acre fenced dog play area located right next to the Mississippi River. The area is landscaped with grass and some dense brush for your pooch to explore. The entrance is double-gated, so you can keep your dog and others safe while entering and leaving. Two sections are available here, one for all dogs and one for dogs under 25 pounds. Running water is not supplied at this dog park; owners should bring their own. Doggy bags can be found at the entrance along with trash cans though bags often run out, so be sure to bring backup. Weekends are usually pretty busy, but the park doesn’t get crowded easily.
