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Animal Rescues in Edina

Edina is a first-ring suburb west of Minneapolis, and it's one of the metro cities where you can't simply walk into the dog park — a permit and a collar tag come first.

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Edina's off-leash areas run on permits

Edina runs two off-leash areas, and both work on a permit system that’s worth understanding before you load the car.

Van Valkenburg Park is open 6am to 10pm daily and is the one that operates year round.

Strachauer Park is the hockey rink, open 7am to 9pm and April through October only. Half the year it isn’t available.

The permit

This is the part that trips up visitors, and the city sets it out on its Off-Leash Areas page. A permit is required, it runs for the calendar year, and it costs $25 for Edina residents and $50 for everyone else — with a discount for additional dogs. Your dog then has to wear the city’s OLA collar to use either site. There’s no turn-up-and-pay at the fence, so sort it out in advance.

The posted restrictions are stricter than many metro off-leash areas: no glass, no smoking, no bikes, no unauthorised motorised equipment, no female dogs in season, and no dog known to be aggressive. Children under 6 aren’t allowed inside the off-leash area, and 6- to 12-year-olds need close adult supervision.

Reading it charitably

A paid permit and a collar tag look like friction, and they are — but they’re also the reason the city can say who’s using the space and require vaccination. If you’re going to use an off-leash area more than a handful of times a year, $25 or $50 across twelve months is not the barrier it first appears.

If you want something free and unticketed instead, neighbouring cities run their own arrangements and Three Rivers Park District operates fenced off-leash areas across the metro on a district-wide pass. Worth comparing if Edina’s two sites don’t suit your hours.

And on adopting

Rescues across the Twin Cities will adopt to an Edina household regardless of where the organization itself is based, so search the whole metro rather than the suburb. Browse the full directory or all Minnesota listings. We’re an independent directory, not affiliated with any organization listed here. Permit prices and hours change, so check the city’s page before you plan around them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an Edina off-leash area if I don't live in Edina?
Yes, but it costs more. The city sells a calendar-year permit at $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents, with discounts if you're registering more than one dog. Your dog also has to wear the OLA collar the city issues, so this isn't something you can sort out at the gate.
Which of the two should I go to?
Van Valkenburg is the year-round one, open 6am to 10pm daily. Strachauer is the hockey rink, running 7am to 9pm, April through October only — so from November it isn't an option at all. If you're driving over in winter, Van Valkenburg is the answer.
Can I bring my kids?
Under-6s aren't allowed inside the off-leash area at all, and children aged 6 to 12 have to be closely supervised by an adult. Edina also bars bikes, glass, smoking, dogs in season and any dog known to be aggressive.

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