Dog Parks in Lakeville Minnesota

Ritter Farm Dog Park

Ritter Farm Dog Park is conveniently located off I-35 and 185^th St in Lakeville—about 10 minutes south of Puppy Play and Stay. It includes a 4-acre all-breed area and a 1-acre small-breed only area. The park is heavily forested, lots of trees and brush for your dog to sniff and explore. The trees also offer shade when you’re walking around with your pup. It is next to the interstate but the noise isn’t terrible. There are picnic tables and benches for sitting. When my dog and I visited, it wasn’t too busy- maybe 10 dogs total spread across the 2 areas, so there was plenty of space. The other dogs that we’ve personally encountered were friendly as well!

More Photos Below!

Details and Facilities

Open 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
Free entry (no passes required) and free parking (18 parking spots)
2 Areas-
- All breed area- very large space (4-acres).
- Small breed only area- smaller (1-acre) but perfect for small dogs.
Porta potty for humans
Water fountain for humans and dogs with dog bowl at the bottom- when I visited the dog bowl was clogged and full of muddy water. Would recommend bringing your own travel dog bowl. We use a silicone collapsible bowl when we’re on the go.
Picnic tables and benches for sitting

Would I Recommend?

Yes- but bring your own water bowl at least, and maybe even your own water. I brought a large reusable water bottle from home to pour water into my dog’s bowl. Then, I refilled it at the water fountain for humans to refill my pup’s bowl later.

My dog loved the park, exploring the brush and sniffing around. Once we got to the top of the hill where the picnic table and bench is, she met 6 other large breed dogs who all greeted her kindly! The location is convenient and it’s a great option for a dog park!

What to Keep in Mind with Dog Parks

Keep in mind with dog parks, it may be a different experience each time. When we visited, it was a weekday in the early afternoon, so it was a bit quieter. The dogs that were there were friendly, but the behavior of other people’s dogs is so unpredictable. When visiting any dog park, be sure to always keep a close eye on your dog and other dogs. Including body language or any queues that may let you know it’s time to create some distance.

Don’t Want to Supervise? Try Dog Daycare!

If you’re interested in letting your pup play with other dogs in a more controlled environment than this where you personally don’t need to supervise—bring them to Puppy Play and Stay! Our daycare staff is highly trained to pay close attention to all dogs’ body language. Not only to make sure everyone is having an enjoyable time, but because safety is our top priority. We have indoor and outdoor play areas as well! Interested in setting up an orientation for you dog or learning more about what we have to offer? Give us a call! We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.