Man’s best friend gets the perk of a new place to play with. Dog parks are opening up all around Miami-Dade along with the new off-the-leash guidelines, which allows dogs to be free to roam in the enclosed areas of the park.

Dog parks are popping up in Tropical Park, which is divided into two areas – one for small dogs and another for dogs over 35 pounds.

“I think my big German shepherd would eat all the little Chihuahuas in the park,” sophomore Paula Macchi said.

The county’s newest dog park is located in Haulover beach in Northeast Miami Dade. Just like Tropical Park, it is divided into two separate divisions to make furry friends of all sizes happy. Here in Pinecrest, a vote is taking place to see if a dog park should be added to the areas here.

“I like the idea. It would be fun to walk around with my dog and enjoy the afternoon,” sophomore Samantha Mullins said.

Mayor of Pinecrest Cindy Lerner has been trying to find the perfect spot for a dog park. Many have been put up to discussion such as Coral Pine Park and the Veteran Wayside Park. There is even a Facebook group supporting the cause of trying to put a dog park in Pinecrest.

“I would take my little dog so she could play and see other dogs. It would be fun to be able to spend the day with her at the park but I’d worry she could get hurt if she was off her leash,” senior Charlene Preciado said.

Unfortunately, everything that is new comes with complications. At Palmetto Bay’s Village dog park, a tragedy occurred when local Victor Garcia’s 6 month-old Labrador retriever drowned when he was electrocuted in a lake at the park.

“Even though the off-leash policy is permitted, you have to take responsibility for your dog and watch them. If you do, the parks the perfect place to enjoy your pet,” Crystal Perez, a local resident, said.

So, furry friends of the neighborhood, get ready for a day at the park with much fun in store.