Recommended Dog Park Gear

Our Review

We've been using the TUG leash at Minnehaha and Battle Creek dog parks for over a year now. The 360-degree swivel is a game-changer when your dog decides to circle around you three times while sniffing something interesting. The brake feels solid and responds instantly, which matters when you're walking near busy parking lots. One downside: the tape can get dirty quickly on muddy spring days. Best for medium to large dogs (50+ lbs) since smaller dogs don't need the heavy-duty construction.

Our Review

Early morning park visits are the best in Minneapolis during summer, but visibility matters. This collar's reflective stitching is genuinely bright under headlights and phone flashlights. The neoprene padding is the real selling point though. Our Lab had neck irritation from cheaper collars after running hard, but this one stays comfortable even when she's soaking wet from swimming at Minnehaha. The quick-release buckle is secure but easy to remove.

Our Review

Minneapolis summers can be humid and hot, and dogs need water more often than you'd expect. This bottle lives in our car year-round now. The one-handed operation actually works as advertised, which matters when you're holding a leash. The unused water genuinely flows back into the bottle, so you don't waste any. Downside: the 19oz capacity only lasts about 3-4 drinks for our 60-lb dog. Best for short to medium visits.

Our Review

These bowls have survived two years of daily abuse and still look almost new. We clip one to the leash handle and keep the other in the car. They fold truly flat, which sounds simple but most collapsible bowls don't actually do this well. The silicone is thick enough that our dog can't knock it over while drinking, unlike the flimsier versions we tried first. Only complaint: the carabiner clips are a bit small and can be tricky with thick leash handles.

Our Review

After trying at least a dozen brands, we keep coming back to Earth Rated. The thickness actually matters. We've had cheaper bags tear on cold Minnesota mornings when the plastic gets brittle. These don't. The unscented version is worth choosing since the lavender ones can be overwhelming. They tear cleanly from the roll without the frustrating half-tear that leaves you with an unusable piece.

Our Review

If you want the eco-friendly option without sacrificing quality, these work. We've used them through Minneapolis winters and they hold up in cold weather better than expected for biodegradable bags. The included dispenser clips securely to standard leashes and actually stays closed, unlike cheaper dispensers. The 540-count is incredible value for daily park visitors. Minor con: they're slightly thinner than Earth Rated, so you feel a bit more through the bag.

Our Review

We bought this after our dog cut her paw on broken glass at a Minneapolis park. Now it lives in the car permanently. The tick remover has been useful multiple times after visits to wooded parks where ticks are common spring through fall. The emergency blanket is sized for dogs, which seems obvious but many kits skip this. Downside: some items are small and need restocking. Best peace of mind for regular park visitors.

Our Review

Minneapolis summers can get humid and hot, especially in July and August. This vest genuinely works. We tested it at Victory Prairie on a 90-degree day and our black Lab lasted twice as long before showing heat stress signs. Just soak it, wring it out, and zip it on. The UPF 50+ sun protection matters for lighter-colored dogs prone to sunburn. Best investment for dogs who overheat easily.

Our Review

Our dog thinks every creek and lake at every Minneapolis park exists for her personal swimming pool. This towel lives in the trunk. The two-pack is smart because one is always drying while the other is ready. They genuinely absorb more water than regular towels, which matters when you're trying to avoid a soaking wet car interior. The hand pockets make it easy to really work through thick fur. After dozens of washes, they still work well.

Our Review

If you're driving to Minneapolis dog parks regularly, protecting your back seat is essential. This cover fills the gap between front and back seats, giving our dog a flat surface to lie on during the drive home. The hard bottom insert is the key feature. Without it, dogs slip into the footwell area. The waterproof material has survived muddy paws after rainstorms and wet fur from Minnehaha swims. Installation takes about 10 minutes the first time, but gets faster.