Miami Beach maintains six dog parks that offer yards for both large and small dogs, drinking fountains, benches, and bags for waste collection. All dogs can run off-leash. Miami Beach has a city ordinance that requires owners to immediately remove and dispose of pets’ fecal matter, punishable by fine. This law applies in the dog parks as well. Some parks have even more amenities, such as doggie water spigots. The largest dog park in Miami Beach, more than an acre, is in the North Shore Open Space Park. However, dogs are only allowed on leash at this park. No public beaches in Miami Beach allow dogs.
The Rickenbacker Causeway’s beach, on the way to Key Biscayne, is appropriately called Dog Beach. Your pooch can swim in the water, although there is not a wide beach area. The beach is free, but you need to pay the causeway toll. This is the only beach in Miami that allows dogs in the water. However, there are several off-leash dog parks in the Miami area. Some, such as the five-acre Bark Park at Amelia Earhart Regional Park, are quite large, with amenities such as benches, fountains and waste dispenser stations.
To take your dog to the beach, head north to Hollywood Beach, just over the Broward County line. The area between Pershing and Custer Streets, a 100-yard space, is open to dogs. Check with the Hollywood Parks system before going, as canines are permitted only during certain hours and days; passes also are required. Farther north, in Fort Lauderdale, you can bring your pooch to the beach at Sunrise Boulevard and A1A. In the same vein as Hollywood, you only can do this on certain hours and days. Check with the City of Fort Lauderdale (1350 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL). Permits are necessary here as well; you can purchase a yearly pass or a one-weekend permit. If you want to walk Fido on A1A along the beach, you need to keep him leashed, and carry your permit with you.
Snyder Park’s Dog Park in Fort Lauderdale offers plenty of amenities for you and your dog. The fully fenced off-leash facility has areas for large and small dogs, drinking fountains and hoses for your pooch, and is supervised by an attendant. While you are there, take your dog for a swim in East Lake, open every day during park hours. Barkham at Markham Park in west Broward is a large off-leash facility with areas for walking or jogging with your pet as well as shelters with fountains for humans and dogs. You also can wash Fido. An annual membership fee is required. More than a dozen other dog parks dot Broward County from east to west and north to south. There are several dog-friendly areas as well.
