Laurie Crawford Dog Park, formerly known as Happy Tails Canine Park, is a 4.25-acre fenced off-leash park in the northeast corner of G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton. The expanded layout includes separate areas for large and small dogs, tree-shaded space, pavilions, water fountains, benches, picnic tables and accessible concrete paths from the parking lot.
Plan your visit
- Current name: Laurie Crawford Dog Park. Many maps and older reviews still use Happy Tails Dog Park or Happy Tails Canine Park.
- Address: 2802 51st Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209.
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted or allowed by a special permit.
- Play areas: Separate fenced spaces for large and small dogs, with separate entry areas.
- Amenities: Three pavilions, two water fountains, eight benches, 15 picnic tables, eight waste-bag dispensers and 12 trash cans.
- Access: Concrete sidewalks connect the parking lot with all three pavilions.
Find the dog park entrance
Use the 51st Street West side of G.T. Bray Park and follow signs for Laurie Crawford Dog Park. The county places the dog park in the wooded oak hammock at the northeast corner of the larger recreation complex. The dog-park address is different from the main G.T. Bray Recreation Center address, so navigating to the named dog park helps avoid arriving near the pool or athletic fields.
Get directions to Laurie Crawford Dog Park. Keep your dog leashed between the parking area and the appropriate fenced entrance.
Maintenance closures
The county closes different areas on a regular schedule. The new large- and small-dog areas close Mondays from 7 to 10 a.m. The old large- and small-dog areas close Thursdays from 7 to 10 a.m. All dog-park areas close from 2 p.m. on the last Friday of each month until 7 a.m. Saturday for pesticide spraying.
These closures affect which enclosure is available even when the surrounding park is open. Check posted signs and the official page before visiting, especially on Monday or Thursday mornings and the last Friday of the month.
Shade, seating and water
The expanded park reaches into a tree-shaded part of G.T. Bray Park. Three pavilions and multiple benches and picnic tables provide several places to sit. Two water fountains serve the dog-park area, but bringing a portable bowl and backup water is still sensible during hot Florida weather or maintenance periods.
Waste-bag dispensers and trash cans are distributed around the park. Bring spare bags in case a dispenser is empty, and check the surface before letting your dog run.
What other park goers say
Visitors frequently praise the amount of room, mature shade, walking space and separate areas for different dog sizes. Park goers also value the convenient parking, covered seating and access to water. Several recent reviewers describe quieter weekday mornings as a comfortable time to visit.
Feedback is mixed about conditions during busy periods. Some visitors report unattended waste or dogs playing too roughly, while others describe clean grounds and attentive owners on the day they visited. Crowd levels and behavior can change quickly. Watch the group through the fence before entering, stay close to your dog and move to another enclosure or leave if play becomes uncomfortable.
Rules before you enter
Manatee County’s posted dog-park rules require dogs to have a current license tag and rabies vaccination. Dogs must be leashed while entering and exiting and off leash once inside the enclosure. Owners must remain present, carry a leash, keep their dog in view and maintain voice control.
Pick up waste immediately and fill any holes your dog digs. Aggressive dogs may not remain in the park. Choke collars, people food and alcohol are prohibited, and children must remain under direct adult supervision. Use the small-dog area for small, fragile or elderly dogs and follow any additional instructions posted at the entrance.
Before you go
- Check the official Laurie Crawford Dog Park page for current hours and closures.
- Remember that older signs, reviews and map results may still say Happy Tails.
- Bring a leash, waste bags, a portable bowl and backup water.
- Avoid the scheduled closure for the enclosure you plan to use.
- Call Manatee County at 941-748-4501 if your visit depends on a specific area being open.
Last researched September 1, 2026. Hours, maintenance schedules, water service and enclosure conditions can change.