Barks & Rec Dog Park - Eliot, ME
Barks & Rec Dog Park: Dog-Friendly Fun in Eliot, ME
Barks & Rec Dog Park, conveniently located in Eliot, ME, is a welcoming space for local dog owners seeking a safe area for their furry friends to exercise and socialize. This pet-friendly park features separate fenced areas for small and large dogs, allowing pups of all sizes to play comfortably and safely. While the park is a bit tucked away behind community fields and tennis courts, it offers a unique local experience and is a popular social spot for area dog owners looking for a place to meet up while their dogs burn off energy.
Accessibility is decent but not perfect—the paved parking lot sits about a quarter mile from the dog enclosures, with a dirt road leading to the actual park area (no unauthorized vehicle access). Amenities are modest: water is available from a spigot outside the park, waste bags are usually provided (although they can run out), and there is limited seating (one bench in the large dog area). There is plenty of grass for dogs to run, but visitors should bring their own chair and water bowls, and be mindful of occasional maintenance needs and pests like ticks. Families appreciate the nearby playground and open spaces, making it a well-rounded visit for both pets and kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash in the designated fenced areas.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, the park has separate fenced areas for large and small dogs.
- Are there water fountains or bowls for dogs? There is a spigot just outside the park, but no bowls are provided, so bring your own.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? Dispensers for poop bags are available, but they may be empty at times.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? There is one bench in the large dog area. Additional seating is limited, so consider bringing your own chair.
- Is there a separate area for small and large dogs? Yes, separate enclosures are designated for large and small dogs.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? The parking lot has handicap spaces, but there are no paved paths or ramps leading to the dog park itself.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, there is a playground near the park, making it good for families with children.
- Is there parking available? Parking is available in an asphalt lot, but the walk from parking to the dog park is about a quarter mile along a dirt road.
- Are ticks or other pests common in the area? Yes, visitors have noted the presence of ticks, so be sure to check your dog after visiting.
Reviews
We’ll kept park with 2 play areas for different aged kids. The people I’ve met have always been very friendly. There aren’t any trash receptacles which I fell is OK. If you need to sit while your kid plays then bring your own chair. There isn’t any seating that faces the playground. There are 2 handicap parking spaces but no ramp or path for wheels.
Small pens, 1 for large dogs, one for small. There are waste bags available but no waste can, no water or even dishes if you bring your own water, and only one bench for people to sit, and it’s in the big dog area. There is a road from the parking area down to the dog park, but there is a sign that says no cars beyond this point. It’s a fairly long distance to walk, and there actually was space to park and evidence that cars had gone down there once I walked it. So why the sign? Also, entrance off the street has poor signage indicating where the park actually is, so it is difficult to find. However, my dog noticed none of this and enjoyed exploring even though there were no other dogs there for him to play with. This park is better than nothing, but not much better.
Paved road to park ends in asphalt parking area approximately 1/4 mile from dog park. Dirt road from parking area is marked for authorized vehicles only. Map program directed us to a road which is marked No Dog Park Access so we had to circle back to find the correct entrance. Modest dog walking area perhaps most useful as social gathering point for local dog owners.
Pretty decent sized play areas. Could use some basic yard maintenance. Watch for ticks and poop! People don’t always clean up after their dogs. Parking area is easy to find.
Tucked away behind the tennis courts, playground, and ball field, this park was an Eagle Scout project, and is a nice, grassy, but little park.
There were dispensers for bags, but they were empty. Water is from a pump/spigot outside the park gate. No trash can near the park, but there were cans up by the fields.
Separate sections for large and small dogs.