St. Mary’s County is set up for families and dogs alike. St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks alone runs 8 recreation facilities, 23 parks, 19 playgrounds, 15 public landings, a bike trail, and four dedicated dog parks — including the fenced dog park at the Leonardtown recreation complex, which sits right next to the county’s popular spray park, making it an easy stop for the whole family, pets included. Elm’s Beach, in the southern part of the county, offers a designated dog swimming area alongside changing rooms, picnic areas, and an accessible playground, while St. Mary’s River State Park has a 7.5-mile trail that circles St. Mary’s Lake and welcomes leashed dogs year-round. Recreation & Parks also runs seasonal community programs like Family Kickball at Chancellor’s Run Regional Park, plus youth sports leagues, camps, and classes throughout the year. Between the parks, playgrounds, waterfront access, and dog-friendly trails scattered across the county, it’s genuinely easy to build a life here where both the kids and the dog have somewhere to run.