Brohard Beach Dog Park Sarasota

Unleashed Fun on Siesta Key - Brohard Beach Dog Park Sarasota

by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 1/14/2025

Brohard Paw Park, located in Venice, Florida, is renowned as the only beach in Sarasota County where dogs are permitted off-leash. The park features separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, leading directly to the beach, allowing pets to enjoy the Gulf waters freely. In 2021, Brohard Paw Park was recognized as the #1 Best Dog Friendly Beach in Florida by the hotel review website Oyster.com.

The park provides separate areas for small and large dogs, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all breeds and sizes. Dog owners can relax under shaded pavilions while their pets socialize and make new friends. The park is equipped with amenities such as dog waste bags, showers, benches, and drinking fountains for both humans and dogs. It operates daily from 7 a.m. to dusk and is maintained by Sarasota County, despite being within Venice city limits.

Brohard Paw Park has become a cherished destination for both locals and visitors, offering a unique space for dogs to play and socialize in a beach setting. Its establishment reflects the community's commitment to providing pet-friendly recreational areas, enhancing the quality of life for residents and their canine companions.

The fenced-in area of the dog park is comprised of a larger area for big dogs, and a smaller area for smaller dogs. There are a number of shady trees and picnic tables for dog owners to enjoy their stay while their dogs play. There are several dog waste bag stations, and owners are required to cleanup after their dogs. All fenced entrances are double-gated, to allow for owners to be able to not have other dogs join their arrival or exit. The fenced-in area is approximately 1.5 acres with dimensions of roughly 200 feet wide by 300 feet long.

Brohard Beach and Paw Park is the only beach area where canine companions are allowed to join their human friends on the beach. Amenities include picnic tables, benches, showers, Water Fountains and more.

Dog Beach access is via the western gate in the large dog area, and a short walk to the beach area. The dog beach area has a specific boundary sign at the northern and southern ends of the dog beach - do not go beyond those signs with your dog or you could be given a citation.

Many people take their own beach chairs and snacks, including water for their dogs (there is currently no water source at the beach). Taking dog toys together with snacks, insures that your dog will have as much fun as possible.

WARNING: The Dog Beach area is not fenced, there are warning signs at the southern and northern end of the dog beach telling you that dogs are not allowed beyond the sign. You will find that certain locals will be right next to the signs and they will gleefully warn you that you are breaking the law if your dog goes beyond the signs. Even if your dog is on a leash, you are not allowed past the "dog area" signs.