Best Parks For A Puppy Play Date
Dog parks tend to be puppy friendly. When you are looking for a suitable park for your puppy's play date, you'll want to make sure the park is safe for your little guy to run around in while he's off his leash. Even if you don't want to unleash your dog at a park, there are large, dog friendly parks that will allow your puppy to experience a vast natural setting while on a leash. Just make sure to use common sense and follow the rules of the park.
Central Bark
6405 Oak Canyon Road
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 724-7740
legacy.cityofirvine.org
Central Bark is a dog park open six days a week between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. For maintenance purposes, the park is closed every Wednesday. This area is a simple, grassy park of almost three-acres. It's essentially a basic yard designed for dogs to run around in unleashed. For smaller dogs, such as puppies, there is a fenced off area available for them to play in.
Costa Mesa Bark Park
890 Arlington Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 733-4101
www.costamesabarkpark.com
The Costa Mesa Bark Park is another dog park closed every Wednesday and open the rest of the week. On days that the park is open, the hours run from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. There is a separate area at the two-acre dog park for small dogs. Poop bags and fresh water are available. The park is lit by LED lights at night.
Orange Dog Park
190 S. Yorba St.
Orange, CA 92867
www.orangedogpark.com
The hours of operation for this dog park are from dawn to dusk, which are more varied than at other dog parks. Like a typical dog park, Orange Dog Park is closed every Wednesday and open the rest of the week. There is an age requirement for all puppies at the park. One of the park rules clearly states: "No puppies four months and under. Puppies are not fully vaccinated and are vulnerable to disease and injury."
William R. Mason Regional Park
18712 University Drive
Irvine, CA 92612-2601
(949) 923-2220
www.ocparks.com
The rule at this park is: "Dogs must be restrained by a leash at all times (6 foot maximum)." This is a dog-friendly park, rather than purely a dog park. William R. Mason Regional Park's 339 acres attract plenty of humans who want to look at the park's lake, take a hike, go bicycling, etc. And for the puppy that still isn't ready to be let off the leash, it could make for a more controlled puppy play date. Park hours vary based on season, and there is a parking fee.
Laguna Beach Dog Park
20672 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92652
www.lagunabeachdogpark.com
Like any dog park, there are rules to be followed, but one rule at the Laguna Beach Dog Park also comes with a recommendation: “Puppies under four months are not allowed in the park, and it is recommended that pups under 12 months should remain in the small dog park.” Use common sense when determining where to place your puppy in the park. The rules state that any dog under thirty-five pounds should be in the small dog park. With that rule in mind, the park is open from dawn to dusk. It is closed on Wednesdays, rainy days and just after rainy days.
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