🐾 Kids at the Dog Park: Real Stories, Safety Risks & Smarter Solutions
If you’ve spent time at an off-leash park, you’ve probably seen it:A parent strolls in with a stroller 🚼 or […]
Valley Street Dog Park offers a spacious, fenced-in area in the heart of Portland, Maine, where dogs can enjoy off-leash fun and socialization. This popular spot is loved by local pet owners for its convenient location, ample play space, and welcoming atmosphere. The park features a mix of open and wooded areas, with benches scattered throughout for owners to relax as their dogs play.
Amenities at Valley Street Dog Park include a faucet and dog bath available during warm months (these are shut off during the winter, so bring your own water in colder seasons), multiple trash bins, and provided poop bags to encourage responsible pet ownership. While there isn’t a separate section for small or large dogs, the large, combined area encourages socializing of dogs of all sizes. The park is mostly covered with large wood chips, and while near the entrance shade structure there can be some odor, it improves further inside. Enjoy pet-friendly trails and a hillside path, but be careful on rainy or icy days!
Large fenced in play area. There were about 15 other dogs while we were there and we were the only one to pick up after our dog.
This park needs some care from parks & rec. The entrance area and shade structure reeks of pee. It’s not bad further in, but much of the grass is also worn away near the entrance.
The fenced area includes the wooded hillside with a trail across the top that could get very slippery in rain or ice.
This park does have two spigots for water as well as bags and trash. Benches are scattered around the space, both in the lower, cleared section and on the wooded hillside. No separate sections for different sized dogs.
The people were remarkably standoffish though.
Decent sized park, can get crowded usually on beautiful days after work hours. There is a faucet and dog bath available in warm months, shuts off in winter so bring water!
I just wanted to add that spring 23 they layed down large wood chips which is where all the dogs seem to potty, making it nearly impossible to find their #2 due to looking just like the chips!
Firstly, I love this park, and so does Luna! 99% of the dogs are well socialized and the owners are attentive/ready to jump in if needed. SECONDLY, if you have an aggressive dog, or you are hoping to let your dog run wild unsupervised, DO NOT COME HERE! Like I said 99% of the dogs and owners here are wonderful, but this is not the place to bring a serious biter. There are great resources in the area to work on dog-reactive animals, but Luna’s face is not your dog’s chew toy. Shoutouts to Ruby, Luca, Amond, the other Luna, and Memphis 🤍
Abigail is a flight risk but she loves to walk trails with me so we come here so I can take her off her leash and feel like I’m giving her some freedom. She enjoys other dogs and loves to run. This place is perfect for her.