The holidays have come and gone, and maybe despite your best efforts, your dog has had more than his fair share of snacks and dinner scraps over the last month. Instead of letting him participate in your post-holiday Netflix binge, why not get out and help him slim down his waistline? Here are a few dog-friendly parks around Snohomish County that will not only get your furry friend back into pre-Thanksgiving shape, but will help you if you made a 2015 resolution to exercise more yourself!
Everett: Howarth Park
Howarth Park is a three-tiered, 28-acre park located in the City of Everett. This off-leash dog park offers 100 feet of unfenced beach area at the north beach for you and Sparky to jog and play fetch. Keep in mind that the off-leash area is determined by the tide, so when the tide becomes too high, consider taking a breather and capture the beautiful views of the water with your furry friend.
Location: 1127 Olympic Blvd., Everett, WA 98203 (north beach only – turn right a foot of trestle and go past creek). Park hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. April 1-Oct. 31; 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 1-March 31.
Marysville: Strawberry Fields for Rover Off-Leash Park
Created in 2009, this off-leash park is located within the Strawberry Fields Athletic Complex. Bring your pal and let them roam the three acres of fenced fun! The park offers community-donated amenities such as trees to shade the facilities and a water fountain for active dogs.
Location: 6100 152nd St. NE, Marysville, WA 98270. Park hours: Daily 7 a.m. to dusk.
Snohomish: Willis D. Tucker Community Park
The northeast corner of Willis Tucker Park boasts three different off-leash dog areas that will appeal to nearly every level of dog personality. The park has a six-acre meadow for the high-energy dog that can never get enough Frisbee play. Next, the 1.25-acre forest area allows you to go on a short, or long, adventure with your four-legged friend, while taking in the breathtaking views of nature. For the more introverted dogs, Willis Tucker offers a .20-acre shy-dog area, where you can allow your dog to sniff around the park and get accustomed to the outdoors.
Location: 6705 Puget Park Drive, Snohomish, WA 98296. Park hours: Daily 7 a.m. to dusk.
If you want to take your pal to an off-leash or dog-friendly park, be aware of your surroundings and stay relatively close to your pet. Be courteous; if you pack it in, pack it out so that other park goers can also enjoy the area, and be sure to pick up after your dog. Also, keep your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date to prevent against the transferring of illness and make sure he’s wearing a current ID tag. We don’t recommend taking young puppies under six months to dog parks.
For more information, Snohomish County maintains a list of local dog parks.
Learn more about the Everett Animal Shelter. Plan a visit, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and check out all of our adoptable pets. And be sure to watch our featured Pet of the Week on the Everett Channel.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
