Dog Lover’s Guide to Dog Parks in Winter Garden
With more and more people moving to Winter Garden, comes more DOG LOVERS! Lucky, for these dogs and their humans, Winter Garden is incredibly DOG friendly. There are a variety of dog parks in Winter Garden. All around town, there are various restaurants with dog-friendly patios, big open green spaces, dog-friendly community events, dog parks, and even gourmet dog food stores. It is one of the best places in Central Florida to be (or have) a dog!
Winter Garden Dog Parks & Trails
There are dog parks and trails all around Winter Garden. Most of the newly built communities have added dog parks throughout the neighborhood. Making it convenient for owners to take their dog to the park for a little fun.
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West Orange Dog Park
The West Orange Dog Park is a favorite hangout spot for dogs and their humans. Separated into a “big dog park” and a “little dog park,” this spacious and shaded play area is a great spot to let your dog run and burn off some energy. Dog owners appreciate the tall shade trees that cool down the park in the summer. There’s also a tall fence all around the park to keep your pooch safe from the nearby road.
Address: 12400 Marshall Farms Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Independence Dog Park
The Independence Dog Park is located in the Independence neighborhood. Even though this dog park is inside of a community, it is an Orange County public dog park. There’s also a great shaded park for kids to play at while your dog is running around. When heading out to this dog park, go ahead and pack a picnic lunch, there’s a pavilion with tables too!
Address: 5849 New Independence Pkwy, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Dr. Phillips Dog Park
The Dr. Phillips Dog Park is not technically in Winter Garden, but it’s close enough and worth the short drive. This grassy fenced-in area has views of the water and seating areas for tired humans. The park also has a hose to clean off muddy paws before heading home. We know you will appreciate that your dog can have all the fun they want, and you won’t have to worry about putting a dirty dog in your car!
Looking for a whole day of fun for the family? The Dr. Phillips Park is great for dogs and their whole family. It’s much more than a dog park. There are playgrounds, a splash pad, picnic tables, and more. This is definitely a park to visit!
Address: 8249 Buenavista Woods Blvd, Orlando, FL 32836
West Orange Trail
The West Orange Trail is a 22-mile paved trail that runs right through Downtown Winter Garden. Locals love walking, running, pushing strollers, and biking down the shaded trail throughout the week, on evenings, and especially on the weekends. This is an excellent place to snap on the leash and take your four-legged friend for a run.
Neighborhood Community Dog Parks
Many dog lovers who are moving to Winter Garden are buying homes in new developments that have private dog parks right within the community. Neighborhoods like the ones in the up-and-coming Hamlin area have dog parks exclusively for residents. This is an awesome amenity, which makes it easy for dogs and their owners to get out, enjoy the sunshine, and make new friends.
Luxury Apartment Dog Parks
Many luxury apartment complexes in Winter Garden welcome pets such as Lakewalk at Hamlin and Falcon Square at Independence. Lakewalk at Hamlin even features an indoor dog wash to help clean your pet after a busy day at the park.
Dog-Friendly Events
Winter Garden Farmers Market
One of the most popular weekly events in Winter Garden is the iconic Winter Garden Farmers Market. With rows and rows of vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, plants, produce, handmade soaps and home decor, fresh-baked bread, and even pet supplies, this is a popular place for people and their dogs to come together each week. This pet-friendly event is a fun way for residents to get together with their dogs and support the local community. A large grassy field on the far side of the farmer’s market is an ideal place for dogs to run and play together.
The Winter Garden Farmers Market often features vendors specializing in gourmet dog treats, doggie clothing, and accessories, and more. So you’ll be able to grab your four-legged friend something special too!
Winter Garden Dog Parade
Winter Garden hosts a dog parade every year, where dog lovers can dress their four-legged friends up in adorable costumes and parade them down Plant Street for a good cause. This event is usually held around Halloween.
Winter Garden Dog Meet-ups
If you are looking to meet other dog lovers, Winter Garden has many meet-up groups designed just to connect dog lovers with other dog lovers. There is the Central Florida English Bull Dog Group and the Winter Garden Dogs Playgroup Meet-up that you can join and start meeting other dog lovers right away! Seriously just hop on FB, and in the search, type what you are looking for!
Dog-Friendly Restaurants
It is important to note that bringing dogs to restaurants can be challenging, even in a dog-friendly town like Winter Garden. However, Winter Garden does offer a lot of outside dining options that welcome pets.
Some restaurants, such as Tijuana Flats and Crooked Can Brewing Company put stainless steel or glass water bowls outside to quench the thirst of parched pups. Pets usually are not allowed inside of any Winter Garden restaurants, unless they are service animals. Restaurants with outdoor seating are the best options to bring your dog along for lunch, and many Winter Garden local businesses are happy to have them.
Some Winter Garden restaurants that allow pets on their outdoor patio include:
- Aji Sushi
- Winter Garden Pizza Company
- 4 Rivers Smokehouse
- Hagan O’ Riley’s Pub
Pet Stores
Pick Up Something Unique at Gracie’s
Gracie’s of Winter Garden, located on Dillard Street, is a locally owned pet supply store with an extensive inventory of cat and dog supplies. Pick up specialty dog food and treats, supplements, or just basic pet supplies at Gracie’s. Make sure you say hello to the store’s furriest employees, Fuji and Maddie.
Take Your Dog to the Spa at Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
Wolfgang Bakery is a staple in Winter Garden, and features a wide variety of pet foods, accessories, and treats that you never even knew you needed. Wolfgang Bakery also offers grooming so you can bring your pup in for a doggie spa day. This neighborhood pet store also features a wellness clinic, a doggy daycare, and a pet resort.
Doggie Classes at PetSmart
There is a PetSmart in the Winter Garden Village Shopping Center that offers food, supplies, and grooming services, as well as dog training classes and pet adoption days.
Erica Diaz Team – Dog Lover’s Guide to Dog Parks in Winter Garden
If you’re thinking about moving your family (and Fido!) to Winter Garden, Erica and her team can help you find the perfect Winter Garden home with a big backyard, close to a dog park, or just minutes from the trail. Erica has a few adorable dogs of her own, so she knows how important it is to find a home and community that you and your dog will love!
If you’re ready to call Winter Garden or a surrounding area home, contact us today! You can also learn more about buying in the Winter Garden area here.
