Odie thinking things over and striking a pose at East End Beach in Portland. Aimsel Ponti/Staff Writer
If there’s one thing that Portland has a lot of, it’s dogs. OK, so we also have no shortage of coffee joints, but make no mistake about it, Portland is dog friendly.
There are city dogs who live in the Old Port or on Congress Street, dogs who hang their collars off-peninsula and then there are the outlier dogs who come from South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Scarborough and beyond to visit. Of course, there are those dogs “from away” who are here on vacation and want to see the sights.
Portland’s a dog hub for good reason.
There is a bounty of places to take your canine friend for a peaceful stroll, picnic or an opportunity to roll around in things humans would rather not smell. Start your morning off watching the sun rise over the Eastern Promenade and end it with a view of the setting sun over the Western Promenade. Other options: Hit the beach, explore the woods or rub elbows and paws with friends at two great dog parks.
Here are seven of our favorite dog friendly spots in the city.
Vicky, an English setter, lounges in the sand at the East End Beach in Portland with a daylight moon visible in the sky above her in this Sept. 7, 2014 photo. Photo by Scott Dolan
EAST END BEACH
It’s Portland’s only public beach, and dogs love it. It’s rare to go by East End Beach and not see dogs frolicking. Once at the beach, you and your four-legged friend might decide to walk to Commercial Street for an Old Port exploration or take a stroll in the other direction, toward Falmouth. Be on the lookout for runners, bicyclists and rollerbladers, and enjoy the gorgeous views.
WHERE: Bottom of the Eastern Promenade
WHEN: Dawn through dusk
RULES: Dogs can be off-leash from the day after Labor Day to the day before Memorial Day only.
PARKING: Free parking on Cutter Street and on-street parking on Eastern Promenade MORE INFO: easternpromenade.org
EASTERN PROMENADE
The Eastern Promenade is a 68-acre public park and recreation area, including a 2.1-mile trail along the waterfront. Find a shady spot beneath a tree for a picnic. No matter where you are on the prom, you’ll have a fantastic view of Casco Bay and its islands and sailboats. Early risers, this is a heavenly spot to catch the sunrise.
WHERE: Eastern Promenade, Munjoy Hill WHEN: Dawn through dusk
RULES: There are off-leash areas next to Fort Allen Park and East End Beach. Off-season hours (between Labor Day and the day before Memorial Day) are early morning until 10 p.m.
PARKING: On-street and small parking lot as you head toward East End Beach
MORE INFO: easternpromenade.org
Stella the Boston Terrier at Quarry Run Dog Park on 1026 Ocean Ave. in Portland. Aimsel Ponti/Staff Writer
QUARRY RUN DOG PARK
Quarry Run Dog Park is a hidden treasure in Portland, and it might become your dog’s favorite spot after one visit. At this 10-acre, fully contained, woodsy area, your dog can run free. The terrain features dirt trails, grassy areas and all sorts of nooks and crannies to explore. There’s even a teepee for your dog to check out and a structure for you to stand under in bad weather.
WHERE: 1026 Ocean Ave. WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
RULES: Dogs can be off leash but owners must carry one with them at all times. There is also a separate area for smaller dogs to play.
PARKING: Free, parking lot
MORE INFO: portlandmaine.gov
BAXTER WOODS
You and your dog can commune with nature as the birds chirp, the pine trees stand tall and the outside world is temporarily shut out. Baxter Woods is a 30-acre nature preserve with plenty of shaded trails to roam on. Keep an eye out for bicyclists, walkers, joggers and other dog owners. Information kiosks are at the Stevens Avenue and Forest Avenue entrances.
WHERE: Bounded by Hartley Street, Stevens Avenue and Forest Avenue
WHEN: Dawn to dusk
RULES: Dogs are allowed off-leash provided they are under voice command and remain within 50 feet of their owner.
PARKING: Limited on-street parking on Hartley Street, Stevens Street and Forest Avenue
MORE INFO: Do a trail search for “Baxter” at mainetrailfinder.com
WESTERN PROMENADE
From this 18-acre park in the West End, you can see New Hampshire’s Presidential mountain range and catch a gorgeous sunset. The Western Prom’s views aren’t as riveting as the ones on the Eastern Prom, but you and your dog can dream about moving into the impressive homes that line the path.
WHERE: Bordered by Western Promenade, Valley Street and Maine Medical Center
WHEN: Dawn to dusk
RULES: Dogs must be leashed (25 feet maximum)
PARKING: On-street along the prom
Ducky pauses on one of the many foot bridges at the Fore River Sanctuary in Portland in this Nov. 22, 2014, photo. Photo by Scott Dolan
FORE RIVER SANCTUARY
The Fore River Sanctuary is an 85-acre preserve where your dog can splash around in Jewell Falls. Dogs are allowed off-leash in certain areas only. Keep an eye out for signs. Another reason to be watchful: The sanctuary is a popular spot for mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and birding, so you never know what’s around the next bend.
WHERE: South entrance at Maine Orthopedics building at 1601 Congress St., at the corner of Frost Street. For North entrance, take Brighton Avenue to Rowe or Hillcrest avenues and park at the end of either street. For East entrance, enter via Starbird Lane but note there isn’t parking available there.
WHEN: Dawn to dusk RULES: Dogs are allowed off-leash provided they are under voice command PARKING: Parking lot available at far corner (at Congress and Frost streets) of the orthopedics building lot. Also on-street on Rowe and Hillcrest avenues.
INFO: trails.org
VALLEY STREET DOG PARK
You’ll find benches, water, shady spots and wide open swaths of dirt for your dog to sniff and inspect. The Valley Street Dog Park is almost 3 acres, bigger than it looks from the street, and parts of it are on the bottom slope of a hill. Not only is there water available for dogs but also a tub in case your pooch has a little too much fun rolling around in the dirt on a hot summer’s day. This park has an “industrial chic” feel to it, meaning it’s not particularly pretty and faces the back side of St. John Street businesses. But it’s on the peninsula and easy to get to.
WHERE: 140 Valley St. WHEN: Dawn to dusk
RULES: Off-leash
PARKING: There are about a half dozen spots in the park’s lot and free on-street parking.
MORE INFO: Search for Valley Street Dog Park on Facebook.
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