Brohard Paw Park

Dogs are outdoor enthusiasts who like nothing better than to play chasing games with the waves at the beach. Luckily, the four-legged residents of Venice Island are welcome to test their water-baby skills at Brohard beach, an area exclusively for dogs.

The adjoining paw park is fully fenced with restrooms and showers plus litter bags to clean up your pooch's waste. It’s a lovely, grassy area surrounded by trees with a short walk to the beach.

The soft, sandy shore is backed by grassy dunes, with some pups happy to catch a Frisbee while others like digging to the center of the earth. Of course, all dog owners know to leave the beach how they found it and endeavor to follow the rules. The beach and paw park are a no-go zone for pooches with aggression issues and all pups must be up to date with vaccinations and be responsive to their owner's vocal cues. Guardians should keep their pups in view and place them on a leash when entering and leaving the park. Once they hit the beach, its off-leash and fun times for all.

Look forward to meeting new friends and having your own private showing of fur-babies lapping up the sun and surf. When it’s time to leave, a hose helps wash off the salt and sand. There are also drinking fountains and showers for pooches plus a ton of free parking behind the dog park.

There is, however no shade on the beach and the sand can get pretty hot for little paws. Bring an umbrella or shade tent and have plenty of fresh water for your dog. The waves are fairly easy to navigate with shallow waters quite a way out. If you have any concerns, put a life jacket on your pooch for peace of mind.

Just under three miles down the road you’ll find the shopping hub of Venice and its elegant Italian architecture and ambiance.