Paws Park Jacksonville Beach: Membership, Hours, Fees & Rules
Paws Park in Jacksonville Beach is a fenced, membership-based off-leash dog park inside Wingate Park. Unlike most public dog parks in the Jacksonville area, access requires an annual membership, and the park operates with separate areas for dogs under 30 pounds and dogs weighing 30 pounds or more.
For a broader look at public off-leash options across Duval County, see our guide to dog parks in Jacksonville, FL.
If you are comparing Paws Park with free City of Jacksonville options, you can also read our Ed Austin Regional Park Dog Park guide, Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park Dog Park guide, and Forest Street Dog Park guide.
Paws Park Jacksonville Beach at a Glance
| Address | 468 Penman Road S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week |
| Access | Annual membership required |
| Small-dog area | Yes — for dogs under 30 lb |
| Large-dog area | Yes — for dogs 30 lb and over |
| Off leash | Yes, inside the designated dog park |
| Water | Watering bowls are listed by the City |
| Seating | Benches |
| Accessibility | Handicap accessible |
| Maintenance | May close Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
Where Is Paws Park?
Paws Park is located at 468 Penman Road S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, within the Wingate Park complex. It is operated by the City of Jacksonville Beach, which is a separate municipality from the City of Jacksonville.
The location makes it especially convenient for dog owners in Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra-area communities, and eastern Jacksonville who want a structured off-leash park near the coast.
See the official Paws Park facility page.
Paws Park Hours
Paws Park is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. That schedule is substantially longer than the sunrise-to-sunset hours used by many Jacksonville-area municipal dog parks.
The City’s rules also state that the park may be closed for maintenance on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. If you are planning a Thursday visit, especially around midday, check current City information before driving over.
How Much Does Paws Park Cost?
Paws Park is not a walk-in free dog park. The City of Jacksonville Beach uses an annual membership system.
| Membership | Current annual total |
|---|---|
| First dog — small-dog park | $55 |
| First dog — large-dog park | $85 |
| Each additional dog | $27 |
The City’s FY 2026 budget and current membership application both list these totals. Because municipal fee schedules can change, confirm the amount on the current application before submitting payment.
Open the official Paws Park membership application.
What Do You Need to Join?
The current application requires more than payment. Applicants must submit the completed application and waiver along with veterinary records showing the required vaccinations and proof that the dog is spayed or neutered.
The City’s application identifies current vaccination requirements for:
- Rabies
- Distemper
- Parvovirus
- Bordetella
Dogs must also wear a current rabies tag and ID tags while using the park. Puppies under four months old are not permitted.
The application is handled through the Jacksonville Beach Parks & Recreation Department. The City notes that gate passes and tags are not mailed, so follow the current application instructions for completing membership and obtaining access.
Separate Small- and Large-Dog Areas
One of Paws Park’s strongest features is clear size separation. The park has two distinct off-leash areas:
- Small-dog park: dogs under 30 pounds
- Large-dog park: dogs weighing 30 pounds or more
The membership rules state that dogs under 30 pounds are permitted only in the small-dog area, while dogs 30 pounds and over are permitted only in the large-dog area.
For owners specifically searching for a Jacksonville Beach dog park with a separate small-dog section, this is one of the clearest documented options in the area.
Is Paws Park Fenced?
Yes. Jacksonville Beach describes Paws Park as a safe, fenced off-leash environment. Dogs must be leashed before entering and again before leaving, but the City’s rules require dogs to be off leash while they are inside the park.
Choke collars and prong collars are not permitted inside the dog park.
Water, Seating and Shade
The City’s current facility page lists watering bowls and benches, along with an educational bulletin board and accessible features.
Jacksonville Beach’s FY 2026 budget also identifies fencing, seating, water fountains, and shaded areas as amenities the City maintains and evaluates at Paws Park. An older City parks assessment documents shade shelters, water fountains, a dog wash station, and additional park infrastructure, but individual fixtures can change over time.
For that reason, bring backup drinking water during hot weather even though water amenities are provided.
Paws Park Rules to Know
Paws Park has a more detailed rule set than many open-access dog parks because membership is conditional on following the City’s requirements. Important rules include:
- Owners must remain in the park and keep their dogs within view and voice contact.
- Dogs may not be left unattended.
- Owners must pick up and properly dispose of dog waste.
- Aggressive dogs are prohibited and must be removed immediately.
- All dogs must be spayed or neutered.
- Sick dogs are not permitted.
- Dogs must have current required vaccinations.
- Puppies under four months old are not permitted.
- Dogs in each area must meet the posted weight requirement.
- Food, dog treats, alcoholic beverages, smoking, glass containers, bicycles, strollers, baby carriers, and children’s toys are not permitted inside the park.
- Children under 12 require close adult supervision.
- Dogs that bark excessively should be removed.
Jacksonville Beach has also taken steps in 2026 to strengthen its authority to deny, suspend, or revoke park-access privileges in certain animal-cruelty-related circumstances. Always follow the current posted rules and membership conditions.
Is Paws Park the Same as a Dog Beach?
No. Paws Park is a fenced off-leash dog park at Wingate Park. Jacksonville Beach itself has separate rules for dogs on the public beach.
From October 1 through March 31, dogs are allowed on Jacksonville Beach at any hour. From April 1 through September 30, dogs are not allowed on the beach between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Dogs must be leashed on the beach, although the City allows dogs to swim in the Atlantic under specific voice-and-visual-control conditions before being immediately leashed again on return to the beach.
Check the current Jacksonville Beach dog rules before heading to the sand.
Who Is Paws Park Best For?
Paws Park makes the most sense for people who visit regularly enough to justify annual membership and who value controlled access, clear size separation, extended hours, and a fenced off-leash setting near Jacksonville Beach.
Visitors making only a single trip to the Jacksonville area may prefer an open-access City of Jacksonville dog park instead, since a Paws Park membership requires an application, health records, and an annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paws Park free?
No. Paws Park requires an annual membership. The current City materials list $55 for the first dog in the small-dog park, $85 for the first dog in the large-dog park, and $27 for each additional dog.
What are Paws Park’s hours?
The park is open seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. It may close for maintenance on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Does Paws Park have a small-dog area?
Yes. Dogs under 30 pounds use the small-dog area. Dogs weighing 30 pounds or more use the large-dog area.
Does my dog need vaccinations to join?
Yes. The application requires vaccination records, including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and Bordetella, along with proof of spay or neuter status.
Can visitors buy a day pass?
The current City materials reviewed describe Paws Park as an annual membership facility and do not list a standard public day-pass option. Check directly with Jacksonville Beach Parks & Recreation if temporary-access policies change.
Is Paws Park actually in Jacksonville?
Paws Park is in the separate City of Jacksonville Beach at 468 Penman Road S. It is part of the broader Jacksonville Beaches area but is not operated by the City of Jacksonville.
Before You Go
Paws Park is different from most Jacksonville-area dog parks because you cannot simply arrive and enter for the first time. Complete the membership process, make sure your dog’s required records are current, and confirm your access credentials before planning an off-leash visit.
Once enrolled, the park’s long daily hours, separate size areas, fencing, water amenities, and Jacksonville Beach location make it a practical recurring option for local dog owners.
