Bringing your four–legged friend to the Cape? Check out these dog parks.
As a dog owner, it can be difficult to find an off–leash area for your dog to socialize, especially when Cape beaches are typically closed to animals during the peak summer months. Fortunately, the Cape has several, well–developed Dog Parks made to host our four–legged friends safely. Listed below are three of the most established and loved parks in the Cape.
Falmouth Dog Park
Since it opened in May 2011, the Falmouth Dog Park has welcomed over 225,000 dogs as well as countless humans from Falmouth, the Upper Cape, and beyond. The park is a 1.6 acre site on town-owned land, with three fenced play areas for dogs. The fenced area is divided into the Small Dog Area, an Acclimation and Time Out Area, and an All Dog area. All sections are covered with pea stones and sand and include benches, water bubblers, and waste disposal cans. The park also has a "Lollipup Trail" which is a small hiking trail located off of the parking lot for dogs and owners that enjoy a wooded–trail.
The park is truly a community effort – run by volunteers, supported by individual donations and business in-kind donations. The park is currently seeking volunteers to aid the park in cleaning operations once a month for 15–20 minutes. The park annually hosts several exciting events including:
A Pool Party at the park (August 7th)
Howlin' Good Time Costume Contest (October 29th – Award Ceremony)
A cruise fundraiser with the Island Queen (next year!)
If interested in helping out at the dog park, contact President Barbara Schneider for more information at 508-331-2929, and follow the park's Instagram and Facebook for important updates!
Yarmouth Dog Park
Yarmouth's dog park is also covered with pea stones and includes several benches in both the sun and shade. The park's mission is to provide a safe and accessible dog park within our community that will allow dogs and their owners to socialize, exercise, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Visitors have expressed their praise for the park: "Beautiful place to bring your dog for a swim friendly dog loving community. The committee that runs the park do a fabulous job” – Colleen Hanlon.
The park is currently looking for volunteers and board members to help with operations of the park . Keep an eye on their social media for updates regarding new events, and mark your calendars for their doggy pool party fundraiser on July 9th from 11:00–1:00!
Provincetown Dog Park
Opened in 2008 by the Provincetown Dog Park Association, Inc., Pilgrim Bark Park is located on an acre of land where dogs can run free and socialize off-leash. There is a general dog section and a section exclusively for small dogs under 25 pounds. The park is also home to a variety of artwork made by local artists. The park's mission is to attend to the ongoing maintenance and improvements of the dog park, provide a clean and safe playground for dogs and their owners, and be an amenity for tourists traveling with their dogs.
It is recorded that in addition to the Pilgrims, an English Mastiff and English Springer Spaniel were aboard the Mayflower when it landed in Provincetown on November 11, 1620. The park is named Pilgrim Bark Park in order to remember those first canine explorers of Cape Cod! How cool is that?
You can donate your time or money to the Pilgrim Bark Park to ensure that the dog park remains a safe and clean space for all who visit. Follow this link to their website to learn more about ways you can help, and follow their social media!
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