Sarasota Dog Parks: The 6 Off-Leash Parks, the Dog Beach, and What Each One Offers
A local's guide to Sarasota dog parks: the six true off-leash fenced parks with addresses and amenities, Brohard Paw Park (the county's only off-leash dog beach), and the leashed parks and rules to know before you go.
Sarasota has six true off-leash dog parks and one off-leash dog beach, and this guide sorts them by what your dog gets at each: fencing, a small-dog area, water, agility gear, and shade. It also keeps the leashed dog-friendly parks in their own list, so you never drive out expecting off-leash and find a leash rule waiting.
Off-leash dog parks vs. leashed dog-friendly parks
Two different things share the word park. Off-leash paw parks are fenced areas where dogs run free under voice control. Dog-friendly parks welcome dogs on a hand-held leash of six feet or less in designated areas. County code asks that every dog be licensed with current rabies and vaccination tags at both. This page leads with the off-leash parks, since that is what most searches mean.
The six off-leash dog parks
Each of these is fenced, free to enter, and open to all sizes. Match the park to your dog:
| Park | Area | Small-dog area | Hours | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17th Street Paw Park (4570 17th St) | Central Sarasota | Yes | Sunrise–sunset | Agility ramps + summer kiddie pool |
| Arlington Park Paw Park (2650 Waldemere St) | Central Sarasota | Yes (≤20 lb) | Sunrise–sunset | Trails + aquatic complex on site |
| Bay Street Park (300 Bay St) | Osprey | Yes | Sunrise–sunset | Dog exercise equipment |
| Lakeview Park (7255 Hand Rd) | East Sarasota | Yes | Sunrise–sunset | Lake Sarasota views |
| Woodmere Park (3951 Woodmere Park Blvd) | Venice | Yes | Sunrise–sunset | Heaviest shade, 2.5 acres |
| Bayfront Park (4052 Gulf of Mexico Dr) | Longboat Key | Single fenced area | 5 a.m.–11 p.m. | Island park, longest hours |
| Brohard Paw Park (1600 S Harbor Dr) | Venice (beach) | Yes | 7 a.m.–dusk | The off-leash dog beach |
Brohard Paw Park: the off-leash dog beach
In Venice, Brohard Paw Park is the one place in Sarasota County where dogs swim off-leash in the Gulf. A fenced grassy play yard with separate large and small sections opens straight onto a roughly one-acre stretch of dog beach, where dogs of all sizes swim under voice control. There are rinse-off showers, drinking fountains for dogs and people, benches, and waste bags. Hours are 7 a.m. to dusk, daily. Bring a towel and fresh water, and rinse the salt off before you head home.
Which park is right for your dog?
Pick by what your dog loves most:
| If you want… | Go to | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A dog beach and swimming | Brohard Paw Park, Venice | The only legal off-leash dog beach in the county |
| Small-dog safety | Arlington or 17th Street | Enforced separate small-dog sections |
| Agility and exercise gear | 17th Street or Bay Street | Ramps and dog fitness equipment |
| Shade on a hot day | Woodmere Park | Dense tree canopy |
| A summer cool-down | 17th Street | Kiddie pool in warm months |
| Early and late hours | Longboat Key Bayfront | Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
Leashed dog-friendly parks and trails
These welcome dogs on a six-foot leash in designated areas, with no fenced off-leash run. Keep them on this list so you plan right: Bee Ridge Park (leashed-only, a common mix-up), Ackerman Park, the Ashton Trailheads, Colonial Oaks Park, and preserves like Deer Prairie Creek and Jelks. Dogs stay off playgrounds and athletic fields.
Florida heat, sand, and etiquette
Summer asks for a plan. Test the pavement and sand with your hand for five seconds before you let paws touch it, and favor early morning and evening visits. Bring water and a shady break, watch your dog the whole time, and clean up every time. Leash up the moment you step outside a fenced area.
Rules, licensing, and what to bring
Every dog needs a current license with rabies and vaccination tags (rabies renews every three years). Longboat Key Bayfront adds a few rules: licensed and vaccinated dogs only, and leave outside food and treats at home. Pack water, waste bags, and a towel for beach days, and see our Lido Beach and Longboat Key guides for the human beach days.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a dog beach in Sarasota?
Yes. Brohard Paw Park in Venice (1600 S. Harbor Dr) is the only off-leash dog beach in Sarasota County. Dogs swim under voice control, and it is open 7 a.m. to dusk daily.
Do I need a permit for Sarasota dog parks?
There is no paid permit or gate registration. County code requires dogs to be licensed with current rabies and vaccination tags, so bring proof and follow the posted rules.
Which Sarasota dog park is best for small dogs?
Arlington Park keeps a small-dog section for dogs 20 pounds and under, and 17th Street also has a separate, double-gated small-dog area.
Can dogs go off-leash on regular Sarasota beaches?
Public beaches like Siesta and Lido keep dogs off the sand. Brohard Paw Park in Venice is the legal off-leash beach option.
What are Sarasota dog park hours?
County paw parks (17th St, Bay Street, Lakeview, Woodmere) and Arlington run sunrise to sunset. Longboat Key Bayfront runs 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Brohard Beach is 7 a.m. to dusk.
Sources checked
Use these official pages for same-day hours, weather changes, ticket updates, and schedule details.