Following a five-month expansion project, pups and people are invited to try out the new and improved Happy Tails Canine Park, located at G.T. Bray Park on 51st Street in Bradenton.
Happy Tails Canine Park is one of three parks in the county where dogs can romp, socialize and mark their territories.
Other parks include the Paw Patch Dog Park at Creekwood Park, 7025 44th Ave. E., Bradenton, and Dog Leg Canine Park at Buffalo Creek Park, 7550 69th St. E., Palmetto.
Happy Tails Canine Park now covers 4.25 acres, expanding both the large and small dog parks into tree-shaded areas. Three pavilions, two water fountains, eight benches, 15 picnic tables, eight waste-bag dispensers and 12 trash cans were added to the park. The project also included the addition of concrete sidewalks from the parking lot to all pavilions for ADA access and separate entry areas to both dog parks for increased safety. There is also an enclosed area exclusively for small, fragile or elderly dogs.
Manatee County dog parks are open every day from sunrise to sunset, except Monday mornings from 7-10 a.m. when the parks are closed for maintenance.