Make TBO Your Home Page| Subscribe To The Paper| Advertise With Us| Contact Us| Login| Edit Profile| Register
Pets
Email
Print
Salty Dogs Invited
Tribune photo by JAY CONNER
Sandy Landon and "Tucker" enjoy the dog beach at Honeymoon Island State Park. Tucker is retrieving a ball thrown into the water.
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: June 16, 2008
Related Links
Nearly 30 million Americans travel with pets, so it's no wonder dog beaches are popular.
Florida, naturally, has its share of watery pet playgrounds, some with picnic shelters, doggie showers and nearby pet-friendly beachside bars.
Here's a look at four; one in each part of the state:
NORTH
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Jacksonville
Where: 500 Wonderwood Drive
The scoop: Dogs on leashes are allowed on 11/2 miles of beach in this Atlantic-front park. There are a few rules: Only two dogs per person are allowed, and owners must pick up after their pets.
The park encompasses nearly 500 acres and has almost 300 campsites, a general store, cabins, a concession stand, 15 miles of bike trails, a wedding/banquet facility, picnic shelters, a playground and grills.
Open: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April through October and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. November through March
Information: (904) 249-4700; www.jaxparks.com
SOUTH
Dog Beach, Key West
Where: Vernon and Waddell avenues, next to Louie's Backyard, a popular restaurant.
The scoop: Only about 20 feet long, but THE best beach in Key West, thanks to its white-sand bottom, according to Philip Tenney, an owner of Louie's Backyard.
"We like to say, 'They gave the best beach to the dogs,'" he jokes.
Dogs on leashes are also welcome at the restaurant's outdoor bar, Afterdeck, during daylight hours.
The beach has no bathhouses.
Open: 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Information: 1-800-352-5397; www.fla-keys.com; www.louiesbackyard.com
EAST
Lighthouse Point Park, near Port Orange
Where: 5000 Robert Merrill Parkway (State Road A1A), Ponce Inlet
The scoop: This park on the north side of Ponce Inlet has 52 acres, nature trails, an observation tower and picnic tables. Besides, swimming, fishing and playing with their pets on the beach, visitors may spot some of the park's resident skunks, armadillos, raccoons and shorebirds.
Open: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Contact: (386) 756-7488; www.volusia.org/parks/front.htm
WEST
Pet Beach, Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin
Where: Far west end of Curlew Road/Causeway Boulevard, past the Dunedin causeway bridge
The scoop: This quarter-mile-long beach allows dogs and other domestic pets, but they must be on a leash, even in the water.
This nationally ranked park also features bathhouses, nature trails, a nature center, showers, umbrella and pavilion rentals, and a snack bar. A ferry leaves from the park on multiple daily cruises to Caladesi Island State Park.
Open: 8 a.m. to sunset daily
Contact: (727) 469-5942; www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online ©2009 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General company. Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
