Recommended Dog Park Gear

"We've been using the TUG leash at Lake Baldwin and Dr. Phillips Paw Park 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 Florida days after summer storms. Best for medium to large dogs (50+ lbs) since smaller dogs don't need this much leash."

"Early morning park visits are the best in Orlando during summer to avoid the heat, 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 Lake Baldwin. The quick-release buckle is secure but easy to remove."

"Orlando's heat and humidity mean your dog needs water more often than you'd expect. We learned this the hard way during a July afternoon at Barber Park. 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 shorter visits or bring two."

"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."

"After trying at least a dozen brands, we keep coming back to Earth Rated. The thickness actually matters. We've had cheaper bags tear at Downey Park on humid Florida days when the plastic gets sticky. 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."

"If you want the eco-friendly option without sacrificing quality, these work. We've used them through Orlando summers and they hold up in the heat and humidity 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."

"We bought this after our dog cut her paw on a stick at a park. Now it lives in the car permanently. The tick remover has been useful after visits to parks with natural areas where ticks are common. The eye wash pods came in handy when our dog got sand in her eyes at Constitution Green. The emergency blanket is sized for dogs, which seems obvious but many kits skip this."

"Orlando summers are brutally hot with the humidity and intense sun. This vest genuinely works. We tested it at Meadow Woods Dog Park 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. The only downside is you need to re-wet it every 20-30 minutes in Orlando's heat."

"Our dog thinks the lake at Lake Baldwin 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. After dozens of washes, they still work well and haven't gotten that musty smell that cheaper microfiber towels develop in Florida's humidity."

"If you're driving to Orlando 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 summer thunderstorms and wet fur from Lake Baldwin swims."