Starr Farm Dog Park - Burlington

Burlington, Vermont is a beautiful college town. Burlington, which was less than 45,000 residents, is the largest city in Vermont, but the University of Vermont and the University of Vermont Medical School make up the bulk of the city's economic base. Burlington itself is quite old, dating back to the earliest days of America. It has a reputation as a mellow, progressive community, with a high livability rating by both AARP and Forbes. It is much closer to Montreal, at less than 100 miles, than any other large city in the United States. And many locals say that the city owes more to the influence of Canada than America. So it should come as no surprise that such a mellow, forward-thinking city would have a great dog park.

Starr Farm Dog Park is more than just a dog park. The park has soccer fields, a playground, and a community garden. There is also access to Lake Champlain. But the crown jewel of the park is the dog park. Starr Farm Dog Park is big, over two acres, with a separate section for small dogs under 30 pounds. If you have a larger dog who has a disability or is elderly, they are also welcome.

Starr Farm Dog Park is one dog park that doesn't have a lot of benches or seating for people. You are, of course, welcome to bring your own folding chairs if you like, but the park was created with the express purpose of encouraging people to be active with their dogs. In the sprawling main area, there is agility equipment and also a toy box stuffed with tug ropes, frisbees, and tennis balls. The park offers poop bags and trash cans as well as a water fountain that is available during the warm parts of the year, but is turned off in the winter to avoid frozen pipes.

Starr Farm Dog Park is a great dog park, but it has some short-comings. For instance, parking can be a problem, and there is currently no access to Lake Champlain for dogs. However, after seeing the success and popularity of Starr Farm, the city has committed to adding parking and creating another dog park with beach access. With Burlington's passion for livability and the dedication of an army of dog lovers, the next dog park will be even more awesome than Starr Farm.