Sanford Maine Dog Park

The Sanford Dog Park in Sanford, Maine is the park that youth-built. The park was an after-school project for students from Sanford Junior High School, who conceived of the park, designed it, lobbied the City Council for space and the permits to build the park and they raised funds for the building of the park from the community.

You have only to set foot in the dog park to see that these kids did a great job. The park is spacious, with an extra enclosure for dogs under thirty pounds. The park has very strong fencing and a double-gate. The grounds are covered in cedar chips that are renewed and replaced regularly. 

The main section of the park also has benches and picnic tables, and a couple of small benches and chairs in the smaller section of the park. There are poop bags and trash cans on both sides of the park, as well as water fountains for both people and puppies just outside the park. 

The water fountains are turned off during the coldest parts of the year, to keep the pipes from freezing, so volunteers bring water to the park so the dogs can stay hydrated. Of course, if you go to the park when it's cold outside, you will have to bring your own water. But it's nice that your dog is taken care of. After all, it's their park.

The Sanford Dog Park is set well back from the road, on the edge of a county park. There are mature pine trees surrounding the park, making for a shady, cool place, even in summer. There is a trail that passes near the parks that is nearly three miles in length. You and your dog are welcome to use the trail, but if you do, be aware that your dog must be leashed and there are no poop bags or water fountains beyond the dog park.