Fixit: Indoor parks for pooches offer wintertime exercise

February 2, 2010 at 5:24PM

Q My dog can't take the cold, and I can't take the icy sidewalks. Is there a place where I can walk my dog indoors?

A Yes, said Ali Jarvis, founder of sidewalkdog.com, a website for dog-related doings in the Twin cities. Here are Jarvis' suggestions.

For on-leash or off-leash:

Dog City Dog Park, a new membership-based indoor/outdoor dog park in New Hope. Indoor area is 27,000 square feet and includes areas for big and small dogs, with tunnels, balls and ropes. It's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and includes a lap area for on-leash walking; 10 laps equal 1 mile.

For off-leash:

Dog Day at the Metrodome. The final two events of the season are Thursday and March 4, with off-leash play in the concourse from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost is $1 per dog, but you can park free (enter at Gate B). Dogs must be licensed and tagged. Minneapolis Animal Care & Control sells licenses on-site. For more information, contact Adam Kocinski at adam@podiumsports marketing.com or call 651-238-2651.

Indoor play groups. They have various dates, times and locations. Each has a unique spin, so check out a few before taking your pick: Just Paws Puppy Training's Mini Paws (justpawstraining.com/playgroups.html), the Canine Coach's Playtime (thek9coach.com), Pampered Pooch Playground's Tiny Tails (pamperedpoochplay ground.com) and Fresh Air Training's Pint-Sized Play (freshairtraining.com).

Yogurt containers wanted The Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) is looking for clean yogurt containers to test the recycling of 32-oz. and single-serving size cartons in a pilot project to make seed-starter kits. Adults with disabilities will assemble the kits and sell them to retail outlets, said Maggie Mattacola, spokeswoman for RAM.

Put clean tubs, no covers, in a mailer or box (no Yoplait brand or 6-pack containers). Send them to: RAM, P.O. Box 14497, St. Paul, MN 55114.

Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-7032, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com. Past columns are available at www.startribune.com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies. Fixit appears everyday except on Friday.

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