It’s summertime and many of us are planning vacations.  Are you looking for a trip that will be fun for you and your dog?  Check out the top dog parks in the country as ranked by Dog Fancy magazine.

1. Jackass Acres K-9 Korral in New River, AZ.  Some of the highlights that make the top-ranked park in the nation are a complete recycling program, separate obstacle courses for small and large breed dogs, a doggie shower and monthly education events.  This park also has a strong volunteer corp. that provides various services to help pets and their owners together through rough economic times.
2. Pilgrim Bark Park in Provincetown, Mass.  Features here include a memorial park and whimsical benches, one shaped like the Mayflower.  This park does not receive any government funding, so is very creative in its fundraising efforts.  Last year they invited Lily Tomlin (a frequent visitor to the area) to perform at a fundraiser that helped raise money for new shade structures at the park.
3. Kenton Paw Park, Covington, KY.  This park features regular pool parties, agility equipment, a calendar and park t-shirts.  Kenton features several fun events but they feel a responsibility to educate the public by sponsoring many workshops like Meet the Vet and CPR for Dogs.
4. Cosmo Dog Park, Gilbert, AZ.  This park features covered picnic areas, a lake with a dock for jumping and agility equipment.  Cosmo features a brick memorial walkway where pet owners can honor their pets that have passed away.  Another feature is a pawprint bridge that spans the lake.
5. Puptown Dog Park, Chicago, IL.  This park features quarterly meet & greets, regular canine health seminars and an annual Halloween costume contest.  Puptown embraces a community atmosphere by offering regular events and park clean-up days.

Whether you check out one of these destinations or just get out and about your town, enjoy the summer with your dog!