Salem's Minto-Brown Island Park voted one of America's best dog parks

The dog park at Salem's Minto-Brown Island Park was voted the nation's third-best dog park in USA Today's 10Best contest.

Two other Oregon dog parks — Albany Dog Park and Independence Dog Park — also made the top 10 list.

Oregon had the most winners on the list and was the only state to earn more than one spot.

Minto's off-leash dog area has 30 acres where dogs can run, roam and play. Drinking fountains, shaded benches and portable toilets are available at the park. It is one of the most popular destinations for dog owners in the city.

The Salem park proved to be popular in the polls and consistently ranked second place throughout the contest. It was ultimately beaten by first-place winner Fiesta Island in San Diego and Newtown Dream Dog Park in Johns Creek, Georgia.

The contest was part of USA TODAY 10Best, which provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do and restaurants for top destinations in the United States and around the world.

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts, and editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers were able to vote once per day.

Minto-Brown Island Park winds over 1,200 acres along the Willamette River in south Salem.

Not only is it the biggest park in the city, it also is larger than Central Park. A popular spot for families, dog walkers, runners, walkers and birdwatchers, the park is a wildlife sanctuary for blue herons, osprey, squirrels, rabbits, deer, beavers and eagles. It is surrounded by more than 29 miles of trails in nine distinct loops.

The dog park's parking lot recently reopened after a bond-funded paving project.

Albany Dog Park won eighth place in the contest. The 2.3-acres of fenced open space at the north end of Timber Linn Park includes separate areas for small and large dogs, drinking stations, ample shade and a nearby lake.

Independence Dog Park won 10th place. The 2-acre park near the Willamette River and downtown Independence also includes fenced, separate areas for small and large dogs, water stations and shady trees.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com call 503-910-6616 or follow on X at @wmwoodworth