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• The Whitaker Dog Park 550 University Terrace • Caughlin Ranch Plumb Lane to Caughlin Crossing • Virginia Lake Dog Park Lakeside Drive • Rancho San Rafael 1595 N. Sierra St. • The Sparks Marina 300 Howard Drive, Sparks |
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Reno loves Rover! Top five places to exercise the dog
Sarah Cook, reno.com
Dog lovers visiting or living in the Reno area – this one’s for you! Where do you take your dog in this city without the danger of car vs. dog, dog vs. pedestrians, dog vs. other animals, or dog vs. any unpleasant experience on an off-leash afternoon? Luckily, this city is fairly spread out, so there really are a good number of places where dogs can be dogs without owners losing their minds. Here are five of the best places in Reno to chill with your Fido.
<b>No. 5 The Whitaker Dog Park </b>
550 University Terrace
Although located right near the freeway (so screeching freeway sounds are inevitable), this dog park is awesome, because it’s big (ranging at about three-fourths of an acre), and is covered entirely in grass. If your dog is anything like mine, he’ll be stoked that he’s able to take part in what I refer to as the “grass dance,” where nothing is more fun than kicking grass around in the air for the pure enjoyment of seeing it fly behind those oversized puppy feet.
Having both a Shar-Pei (Zoey) and a Boxer (Buster) who have completely different play preferences, it’s important to find spots where they can both get their kicks. The Whitaker Dog Park is most definitely one of those places. If your dog is a grass-fan, this is one of your better places to go. Also, don’t worry about bringing your own baggies for poo-duty, two dispensers offer bags to visitors.
<b>No. 4 Caughlin Ranch </b>
Plumb Lane to Caughlin Crossing
Caughlin Ranch is one of the nicest areas in Reno. Basically, it’s just a huge, spread-out area of fancy houses, grass, flowers and walking trails.
Dogs are allowed anywhere in the Caughlin Ranch area, so space is never a problem. The trails available for dog walking are so extensive, that when you’re done, you and the pooch are going to need a long nap or at least a large snack.
Not only are the trails paved and kept in marvelous condition year-round, but they’re also lined with beautifully kept grass, and some of the most colorful flowers you’ll see in the city. This is what I call the “ritzy” place to take your dog. And it’s definitely a safe place to go at night, so you’ll never feel like you need a companion by your side when it’s time to take your dog for an evening stroll.
Caughlin Ranch is full of beautiful sights. While you walk the trails, you’ll see ducks, chickens (no joke – one of the houses you’ll pass has dozens) numerous ponds great for picnicking, a squirrel or 12, and other happy (leashed) dogs enjoying the splendor of this gorgeous home community.
Don’t take your dog off-leash here unless you’re in the center, where lies a huge area full of green and grassy hills where the pups can run around on while you sit and watch. This is pretty much the only spot that isn’t right near the street, hence the safety of it being a leash-free-zone. The trails go right along the streets in many places, so unless your dog is well-trained, you’ll want to wait for the “right time” to let Fido run loose.
Another great amenity of dog walking at Caughlin Ranch is trashcans and poo-bags are provided, so the area can stay clean, ensuring you won’t step in dog dung, nor will leave any behind. These trails are rarely crowded, so you won’t be running into people constantly (which keeps the dog drama low-key), also providing the chance for a peaceful intake of the environment and its surroundings.
<b>No. 3. Virginia Lake Dog Park </b>
Lakeside Drive, across from Virginia Lake
The Virginia Lake Dog Park is great for spending time with your dog …although, the pooches may be spending more time with all the other dogs than with you. This is a place where dogs love to be crazy and let loose.
This dog park is one acre, so you don’t feel boxed up in a cage full of overly-excited canines while you sit back and let them play. Trees surround the area, so your dog can’t see a truck drive by and get freaked-out over failed escape-and-chase-the-mail-dude attempts.
Clean-up is never complicated. There are puppy-based waste receptacles here, too. The Virginia Lake Dog Park is also covered with sand, so one thing’s certain – the pups are going to need a bath when all is said and done.
<b>No. 2. The Rancho San Rafael Dog Park </b>
1595 N. Sierra St.
Ranch San Rafael is already the best park in Reno, so it’s no surprise that they have a killer dog park. This pup playpen is by far my Boxer’s favorite since it’s the location of his favorite pond. His tummy can handle the icky water much better than a human’s can, so he isn’t afraid to let me know it. When we go to this park, he spends the bulk of his time flopping around in the pond, oblivious to everything else going on, while my Shar-Pei hassles all the other dogs. Thing is, the boxer is too distracted by the darn pond to do anything else but frolic around in it.
This park is also one of the few “off-leash” places to take your pooches, so nobody is going to reprimand you if you have one of those high-energy dogs that needs to run around in crazy circles until too winded to do so any longer.
Like the previous three locations, Rancho provides bags and waste cans for puppy waste. If you’re like me, and hoard those plastic grocery bags, bring them with you! Park rangers are more than happy to take donations.
<b>No. 1 The Sparks Marina </b>
300 Howard Drive, Sparks, Nev.
The Sparks Marina is by far the best place in this city and its (immediate) surrounding areas to take your dog. Not only does the marina have the best dog park anywhere in the Reno area, but it’s just been expanded, making it a happier, larger place for pups to make acquaintance with one another.
Plus, it’s not bad for the humans. There’s a ton of grass, a seemingly endless concrete walking path to stroll and a marina full of trout-stocked water to sit before and feel the summer breeze blow.
A lot of people tan, picnic, fish and shop at the Marina. The amenities are limitless: volleyball nets, swimming areas, beaches, picnic tables and barbeques, as well as scuba diving.
Only thing is – the dogs can’t hang at the beaches. The pups are quarantined to the walking areas, grass areas and the renowned dog park. But, the dog park has an opening to the marina, so not only can your dogs run and play, but they can swim as well!
<b>No. 5 The Whitaker Dog Park </b>
550 University Terrace
Although located right near the freeway (so screeching freeway sounds are inevitable), this dog park is awesome, because it’s big (ranging at about three-fourths of an acre), and is covered entirely in grass. If your dog is anything like mine, he’ll be stoked that he’s able to take part in what I refer to as the “grass dance,” where nothing is more fun than kicking grass around in the air for the pure enjoyment of seeing it fly behind those oversized puppy feet.
Having both a Shar-Pei (Zoey) and a Boxer (Buster) who have completely different play preferences, it’s important to find spots where they can both get their kicks. The Whitaker Dog Park is most definitely one of those places. If your dog is a grass-fan, this is one of your better places to go. Also, don’t worry about bringing your own baggies for poo-duty, two dispensers offer bags to visitors.
<b>No. 4 Caughlin Ranch </b>
Plumb Lane to Caughlin Crossing
Caughlin Ranch is one of the nicest areas in Reno. Basically, it’s just a huge, spread-out area of fancy houses, grass, flowers and walking trails.
Dogs are allowed anywhere in the Caughlin Ranch area, so space is never a problem. The trails available for dog walking are so extensive, that when you’re done, you and the pooch are going to need a long nap or at least a large snack.
Not only are the trails paved and kept in marvelous condition year-round, but they’re also lined with beautifully kept grass, and some of the most colorful flowers you’ll see in the city. This is what I call the “ritzy” place to take your dog. And it’s definitely a safe place to go at night, so you’ll never feel like you need a companion by your side when it’s time to take your dog for an evening stroll.
Caughlin Ranch is full of beautiful sights. While you walk the trails, you’ll see ducks, chickens (no joke – one of the houses you’ll pass has dozens) numerous ponds great for picnicking, a squirrel or 12, and other happy (leashed) dogs enjoying the splendor of this gorgeous home community.
Don’t take your dog off-leash here unless you’re in the center, where lies a huge area full of green and grassy hills where the pups can run around on while you sit and watch. This is pretty much the only spot that isn’t right near the street, hence the safety of it being a leash-free-zone. The trails go right along the streets in many places, so unless your dog is well-trained, you’ll want to wait for the “right time” to let Fido run loose.
Another great amenity of dog walking at Caughlin Ranch is trashcans and poo-bags are provided, so the area can stay clean, ensuring you won’t step in dog dung, nor will leave any behind. These trails are rarely crowded, so you won’t be running into people constantly (which keeps the dog drama low-key), also providing the chance for a peaceful intake of the environment and its surroundings.
<b>No. 3. Virginia Lake Dog Park </b>
Lakeside Drive, across from Virginia Lake
The Virginia Lake Dog Park is great for spending time with your dog …although, the pooches may be spending more time with all the other dogs than with you. This is a place where dogs love to be crazy and let loose.
This dog park is one acre, so you don’t feel boxed up in a cage full of overly-excited canines while you sit back and let them play. Trees surround the area, so your dog can’t see a truck drive by and get freaked-out over failed escape-and-chase-the-mail-dude attempts.
Clean-up is never complicated. There are puppy-based waste receptacles here, too. The Virginia Lake Dog Park is also covered with sand, so one thing’s certain – the pups are going to need a bath when all is said and done.
<b>No. 2. The Rancho San Rafael Dog Park </b>
1595 N. Sierra St.
Ranch San Rafael is already the best park in Reno, so it’s no surprise that they have a killer dog park. This pup playpen is by far my Boxer’s favorite since it’s the location of his favorite pond. His tummy can handle the icky water much better than a human’s can, so he isn’t afraid to let me know it. When we go to this park, he spends the bulk of his time flopping around in the pond, oblivious to everything else going on, while my Shar-Pei hassles all the other dogs. Thing is, the boxer is too distracted by the darn pond to do anything else but frolic around in it.
This park is also one of the few “off-leash” places to take your pooches, so nobody is going to reprimand you if you have one of those high-energy dogs that needs to run around in crazy circles until too winded to do so any longer.
Like the previous three locations, Rancho provides bags and waste cans for puppy waste. If you’re like me, and hoard those plastic grocery bags, bring them with you! Park rangers are more than happy to take donations.
<b>No. 1 The Sparks Marina </b>
300 Howard Drive, Sparks, Nev.
The Sparks Marina is by far the best place in this city and its (immediate) surrounding areas to take your dog. Not only does the marina have the best dog park anywhere in the Reno area, but it’s just been expanded, making it a happier, larger place for pups to make acquaintance with one another.
Plus, it’s not bad for the humans. There’s a ton of grass, a seemingly endless concrete walking path to stroll and a marina full of trout-stocked water to sit before and feel the summer breeze blow.
A lot of people tan, picnic, fish and shop at the Marina. The amenities are limitless: volleyball nets, swimming areas, beaches, picnic tables and barbeques, as well as scuba diving.
Only thing is – the dogs can’t hang at the beaches. The pups are quarantined to the walking areas, grass areas and the renowned dog park. But, the dog park has an opening to the marina, so not only can your dogs run and play, but they can swim as well!
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