Run, Spot, run, at new park in South St. Paul

October 27, 12:31 PMSouth St. Paul ExaminerRob Shirk

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   Off-leash park in South St. Paul

Most of the people I talk to think that in the Twin Cities we are a dog friendly area, when, really, we are not. Up until this last summer our capital city of St. Paul had but one off-leash park and I think that the number might be two as the leaves have fallen. Minneapolis has seven or eight and Dakota County has had none until now.

South St. Paul has opened its first off-leash dog park, a six acre site along the Mississippi River at 800 Bryant Avenue on what used to be landfill. It is the first in Dakota County and has been open since August. Being so few in number, this off-leash park qualifies it as a City Secret.

The park is part of the city's vision to transform the former Port Crosby Industrial Landfill to Kaposia Landing, an eighty seven acre recreational area that will include ball fields, tennis and bocce ball courts, a center for performing arts, as well as overlooks along the river. It is a long range plan and the off-leash park is one of the first parts of the plan.

The park is wide open with a four foot high fence enclosing the area which includes two shelter areas and plenty of parking. There are many amenities such as bull-pen entrances and exits, picnic tables, an information kiosk as well as Mutt-Mitts for waste. There is a twenty dollar membership fee and the dog must be licensed through the city of South St. Paul.

It is a place, after all, for your dog to run, but once you're there you do have to follow a list of rules and you may feel that it is you who are jumping through hoops instead of the canine, but the regulations are of the common sense variety and since most dogs can't read everything has to be spelled out for you.

It is a lovely spot for Spot.

If you find yourself in the San Fransisco Bay area you'd probably want to check out the best off leash parks there by Sandy Lurins, our San Fransisco Pets Examiner. If I were a dog, I'd like to live there!

If you have a need for suggestions for a Christmas gifts for your dog, our D.C. Examiner has the poop for you.