Roseville-raised entrepreneur builds community at Saint Bark
A local space for pet parents to come together
When Zimako Onwuagba was at a turning point in his robust Real Estate career, he had the idea of creating an indoor dog park. A pet parent himself, he imagined it would feature big TVs for streaming sports games, a safe, clean space for dogs to run around, and a selection of adult and N/A beverages. In October, 2025, after about ten months of working out details with the support of the City of St. Paul, he and his long-time girlfriend Katie Peterson opened Saint Bark.
Roseville Community
Onwuagba grew up in Roseville where he attended Brimhall Elementary School and graduated from Roseville Area High School. Onwuagba is keenly aware of how extreme temperatures and weather can affect the health and play of dogs and the humans they belong to.
“It was cold. We had a dog. There wasn’t much to do outdoors. But as you know if you have a dog, especially a puppy, they still have high energy when it's cold," Onwuagba said, reflecting on his motivation for opening Saint Bark.
He saw an opportunity for dog owners to give their pet a place to run even when it’s below freezing, or so paws don't get burnt on the pavement.
“But genuinely speaking,” said Onwuagba, clarifying in earnest, “I just wanted to build a space for the community.”
Pets and Pet Parents
Located just south of the State Fairgrounds off Como Ave, Saint Bark was created with both indoor and outdoor off-leash areas, allowing dogs and people to move in and out as they are comfortable. During all open hours, staff supervises dog play. While people are still responsible for their pets, they can enjoy stepping off to the side for a beverage, playing one of the games upstairs, singing along to their touch tunes, or watching football on the big screen TVs.
“I wanted to build a space where pet parents could come together and meet one another, make friends with other pet parents and dogs, and just have a good time,” said Onwuagba. “You get to see your dog have fun, you also get to have fun yourself.”
Food and Drinks
In addition to their regular beer list, Saint Bark has partnered with Montgomery Brewing, a local brewing company to create their own beer: The Beagles, a hazy New England IPA. They have a rotation of food trucks, have teamed up with Roseville’s Parkway Pizza for a discount, and allow outside food of customers’ choice.
While the bread and butter of Saint Bark is the park itself, they often host breed nights and birthday parties, where dogs can be celebrated with the public, and all the friends they have made there as regulars.
“One of the most rewarding feelings since opening is seeing pet parents that have met each other here become friends in real life," Onwuagba said.
Doggy Bus Rides
Saint Bark also has a doggy bus! The Saint Bark bus has routes around the area including Roseville. These daytime, four hour field trips allow dogs to go on supervised adventures. The bus picks the pups up from home and takes them to Saint Bark or outdoor dog parks, trails, hikes, or beaches that allow dogs, with a stop for pup cups as a treat.
“This is not the pinnacle. This is just the start. My vision for this is a bigger facility that incorporates a food hall, and doggy daycare and boarding," Onwuagba said.
Visit Saint Bark
Saint Bark is open Monday through Friday in the evenings with longer hours on the weekends. It's located at 1145 Snelling Ave N in Saint Paul.
Pets must be registered with vaccination information at the front desk before entering the park. Sessions can be booked online in advance or at the door. Prices, hours, membership options, and more details are available on the Saint Bark website.
