Rice Creek Off-Leash Dog Area — Attraction in Shoreview

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐FIVE STARS WOULD GIVE SIX IF THE UNIVERSE ALLOWED IT

Listen up fellow humans enslaved by our four legged overlords I have discovered the Shangri La of dog parks the Mecca of mutt mayhem the ABSOLUTE PINNACLE of canine civilization Rice Creek Off Leash Dog Area is not just a dog park it is a transformative life experience that will make you question everything you thought you knew about happiness

First off this place is 13 ACRES of pure unadulterated doggy paradise That is roughly the size of ten football fields or approximately 47 billion dog lengths I measured Your precious pooch will have more room to run than a NASCAR driver having an existential crisis The sandy trails form a perfect half mile loop that is basically the Daytona 500 for dogs except instead of prize money the winners get to sniff the most butts

The SAND Oh my GLORIOUS sand It is like someone took the beaches of the Maldives and said you know what this needs More dog poop But do not worry the volunteer army and I mean ARMY of dedicated humans maintains this place like it is the Gardens of Versailles These volunteers are basically dog park angels who descended from heaven carrying water jugs and poop bags like the most wonderful slightly obsessed fairy godparents

Speaking of water the swimming hole situation is NEXT LEVEL Your water loving fur baby can paddle around like they are training for the Olympic Dog Paddle team I have seen Golden Retrievers emerge from that pond looking like they have discovered the fountain of eternal youth and tennis balls

The community here LEGENDARY I have witnessed friendships form faster than you can say good boy Dogs become BFFs in zero point three seconds and their humans awkwardly attempt small talk while secretly judging each others treat choices Romance has literally bloomed here apparently love is in the air along with the occasional flying frisbee and questionable aerosol particulates from overexcited pups

Winter transforms this place into a FROZEN WONDERLAND where your dog can experience the pure joy of face planting into snow drifts while you question your life choices and wonder why you did not move to Florida The groomed trails become a winter Olympics venue for dogs who think they are sled dogs but are actually just really enthusiastic Corgis

WARNING The wind situation is REAL When that prairie wind whips across from the west you will feel like you are in a documentary about arctic survival except your documentary crew is a pack of dogs who are somehow completely unbothered by meteorological phenomena

The volunteer maintained water stations are scattered throughout like oases in a desert of dog drool Mailboxes filled with poop bags appear like magical portals to responsibility It is like someone designed a theme park specifically for good dog citizenship and responsible pet ownership

FINAL VERDICT Rice Creek Off Leash Dog Area has ruined me for all other dog parks My dog now judges every other recreational facility with the disappointed look of someone who has tasted perfection and must now settle for mediocrity We drive past other dog parks and my pup literally sighs with existential disappointment

This place does not just exercise dogs it exercises your faith in humanity It is proof that a community of dog lovers can create something absolutely magical Ten out of ten would recommend to every dog owner in a five hundred mile radius My dogs tail has not stopped wagging since our first visit three months ago I am genuinely concerned about the structural integrity of his spine

BRING TENNIS SHOES BRING WATER BRING YOUR SENSE OF WONDER AND PREPARE FOR YOUR LIFE TO BE FOREVER CHANGED BY THIS MIRACULOUS...

Awful first (and now, only experience!!) My young pup got attacked today (deep bite right to the tendon on front leg) and will need medical attention first thing tomorrow (contemplated ER visit today). If you know your dog is aggressive or has a tendency to be, PLEASE do not bring them to a dog park, while around other dogs...no brainer. I have had my dog to numerous dog parks in other locations and he has had no issues with being too aggressive toward other dogs. To give more context regarding the situation, I had my eye on Winston for the 10 min before he got attacked, he then went over to an area I was not able to see as well and as I was making my over there I heard yelping and crying and saw him darting his way to safety. Thank goodness for the nice young lady and man who helped me carry my dog out of there and suggested how to take care of him in the meantime of a vet visit. I was not told if dogs that attacked him are up to date on shots, nor was I really even given an apology...because up-to-date vaccines are a requirement to be at a dog park, I am sure hoping the dog(s) that attacked him are. I take full responsibility for not being on the scene at the exact moment this happened, but this is something that should never happen (my dog has never before been violent) . This goes way beyond "play fighting", as evidence to Winston's now deep gash on...

I love this place but listen, please PLEASE don't bring aggressive dogs into the park. It's rude and selfish as it puts people and pets in danger. Dog parks are for friendly dogs. I was just here and there was a woman who brought in a highly aggressive dog on a leash with a muzzle. My sweet girl approached them before I saw that the dog was muzzled and he lunged at her snarling and trying to bite! The owner ignored me when I said she shouldn't bring her dog to dog parks even though all the dogs there were running up to them trying to figure out why her dog was the only one on a leash. She was literally pushing other peoples dogs away while her dog was growling and snarling and lunging. Anyway I'll leave you with this: muzzles can come off if the dog tries hard enough, injuries can be sustained through muzzles, a dog on a leash in an off leash dog park is a target for all the other dogs to go check out- they will swarm you, leash aggression is a thing that exists. Stay safe and be considerate of how your choices affect...