Paw Park of Historic Sanford

It's a beautiful dog park.

Paw Park sign as seen from 17-92.

Plenty of dirt parking available.

Large and small dog areas are available.

Plenty of room for dogs to run.

Large tree seems to be a focal point for some dogs.

Playing King of the Mountain

Another Small Dog on the Tree

The Wash Station and Mud Hole

A concrete path provides a walkway around the park.

The park has many sponsors.

Paw Park of Historic Sanford
427 South French Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771
407-688-5103
Public Hours: 7:30am to 8pm

The Paw Park of Historic Sanford™, Florida is known as the oldest off-leash dog park in Central Florida! It celebrated its Grand Opening on May 5, 2001, and is located in Sanford, Florida. The park is located in the former “Jaycee Park”.

Care has been taken to create this detailed Google Map.

The Paw Park of Historic Sanford™, Florida is known as the oldest off-leash dog park in Central Florida! It celebrated its Grand Opening on May 5, 2001, and is located in Sanford, Florida. The park is located in the former “Jaycee Park”.

Amenities Include:

Features include a small dog alternative play area, a time-out area, bag dispensers for disposal of dog waste, park benches, dog showers, self-watering bowls, historic lighting, and a community bulletin board (which includes information on dogs available for adoption from area shelters). It is handicapped accessible, and has a double gate entrance for safety. The park is open from 7:30AM to 8:00PM daily.

Highlight from Dog’s Life Magazine (July 2005) – A guide to good living from Purina Beneful brand dog food.

An oak tree felled by Hurricane Francis has become the focus of activity at PAW PARK. Dogs play king of the hill, conduct sniff-and-greet sessions, and climb over the trunk, says Mike Knipfer of the Friends of Paw Park. Towers spray mist, faux fire hydrants attracts business, and wheelchair access to the paved path allows almost everyone access. “Dogs will be better at home when they’re in a setting that’s neutral territory,” says Knipfer, whose black Lab, Jessie, and Chesapeake Bay retriever, Kayla, are regulars. There are showers for the dogs, but watching an owner react to Rover rolling in the muck is an activity in itself, Knipfer says. All can agree on a final stop: the dog bakery. 427 S. French Ave., 407/330-5688

Park Rules and Regulations:

The park has a very long list of rules and regulations for its visitors. This is mainly due to a small few past incidents and should not be reflect badly on the park or its visitors.

• NO CHOKER CHAIN-TYPE COLLARS ON DOGS WHILE INSIDE THE PAW PARK: A dog died because it was wearing this collar (read more about why they are not allowed in this park at pawparksanford.org.
• NO ANIMALS OTHER THAN DOGS ARE PERMITTED IN THE DOG PARK: This park is designated for the use of people and their dogs; no other animals are allowed.
• NO DOGS UNDER FOUR (4) MONTHS OF AGE ARE PERMITTED IN THE DOG PARK: Puppies this young are susceptible to disease, even if they have completed all their puppy shots, because it takes awhile for the shots to bestow immunity.
• CHILDREN UNDER 12 MUST BE CLOSELY SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES BY AN ADULT. (IT IS STRONGLY URGED THAT YOUNG CHILDREN NOT BE BROUGHT TO THE DOG PARK FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY. IF THEY ARE, THEY MUST BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO HELD YOUR HAND AT ALL TIMES): You will help to prevent injuries by not allowing your children to run or scream around the dogs. In the confusion and the fun at off-leash sites, some dogs may mistake running or screaming children for another playing dog or even a wild animal.
• NO FOOD, TREATS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, STROLLERS, BICYCLES, OR CHILDREN’S TOYS ALLOWED IN THE DOG PARK: While it is ok to have food in a people park, dogs will often beg or fight over food. A child in a stroller is defenseless and face to face to most dogs. This is a recreation park for dogs and their owners, not a playground for kids.
• NO MORE THAN THREE BEINGS* PER HANDLER ALLOWED (*DOGS AND/OR SMALL CHILDREN) You must be aware of your dogs whereabouts at all times to prevent problems and clean up waste.
• DOG WASTE MUST BE CLEANED UP BY DOG OWNERS (CITY CODE 4-42 (M)) This is the single most important thing dog owners can do to help insure the ongoing success of the dog park. We need to pick up after our dogs and even pick up after others who did not pickup after their dogs. Leave the area cleaner than it was when you arrived. It’s a small price to pay for being allowed to enjoy this wonderful park with your dog.
• ALL DOGS MUST BE LEGALLY LICENSED AND VACCINATED, AND SHALL WEAR A VISIBLE DOG LICENSE:
• DOG OWNERS MUST BE IN THE PARK AND WITHIN VIEW AND VOICE CONTACT OF THEIR DOGS AT ALL TIMES: Do not use the park as a babysitter for your dog or your children. An adult owner must be there to keep an eye on their dog, in case it starts to cause trouble or starts to get into trouble with another dog. You need to be in control of your dog at all times.
• AGGRESSIVE DOGS ARE PROHIBITED FROM THIS PARK AND DOGS EXHIBITING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PARK IMMEDIATELY, WITHOUT DEBATE: If your dog is dog or people aggressive, do not bring him/her to this park. Most breeds are not aggressive unless the dog has been seriously abused for a long time or you raised him/her that way. Be aware that dogs have different play styles. Educate yourself on dog behavior. Ask questions. A behavior that concerns you may simply be a rambunctious play style. If your dog is dog-aggressive and you want it to be able to enjoy the dog park, do not be afraid to muzzle your dog. Many dog-aggressive dogs are enjoying the Paw Park while muzzled. Muzzling your dog while it is in the Paw Park is not cruel; you are protecting your dog, the other dogs, and the privilege to use the Paw Park by doing this. It is better to be safe, than so very sorry.
• DOGS MUST BE LEASHED WHEN ENTERING AND LEAVING THIS PARK AND DOG OWNERS MUST HAVE A LEASH IN THEIR POSSESSION AT ALL TIMES: You must leash your dog until you enter the double gates and close them. A dog which is off-leash is not under full control of its owner, and is at the mercy of the environment, vehicular traffic, or other immediate dangers. Once inside the double gates, you may let your dog off-leash. Leashed dogs may feel threatened and growl or bark when off-leash dogs greet them. Off-leash dogs generally consider themselves to be in neutral territory.
• FEMALE DOGS IN HEAT ARE PROHIBITED FROM THE PARK: Simply put, bringing a dog in heat into the dog park can do no good and can only create trouble. It is recommended that all dogs using this dog park be spayed or neutered.
• PET OWNERS MUST IMMEDIATELY FILL ANY HOLES THEIR DOGS DIG: If your dog digs a hole, use the shovel that the dog park is equipped with to fill it. This will help keep the park safe for other users.
• DOG OWNERS ARE SOLELY LIABLE FOR INJURIES OR DAMAGE CAUSED THEIR DOGS AND ENSURING THAT THEIR DOGS DON’T ESCAPE THE FENCED AREA: Keep an eye on your dog. Mischief can happen quickly, just like with human toddlers. Do not keep the park gates open, and watch for dogs on the other side when you are entering or leaving, so that they do not escape.
• NO ATTENDANT ON DUTY. USERS OF THIS FACILITY DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK. THE CITY OF SANFORD SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANY DOG IN THIS PARK. The dog’s owner is 100% responsible for any injuries inflicted by their dog. Prevent injuries by supervising your dog closely at all times. If your dog inflicts an injury to a human or to another dog, give your name and telephone number to the other dog owner before leaving the area. Each dog owner is legally and financially responsible for their dog’s behavior.

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