Smith Ranch Dog Park News

The San Rafael Parks Department is updating the Master Plan for this 440-acre park area. A fully fenced dog park has been proposed and accepted by the planners and city.

Public meetings to determine park user preferences for amenities in the shared-use are that is being re-developed have been held, and more are scheduled.

The off-leash community is actively involved, particularly in establishing a park that is over 1-acre in size. Users have determined that this is the minimum size possible due to heavy usage of the dog park area. This is also in consideration of the controversial proposed closure of the popular Civic Center Dog Park, being removed, along with the decades-old Petanque Court, so that additional county buildings can be placed on that site.

The proposed Master Plan has been improved upon by the public during these meetings and a revised plan that is supported by the off leash community is shown here. It makes better use of existing park infrastructure, separates dogs from both Petanque and children play areas, gives the dog park more room and easier parking access and make more effective use of planned infrastructure, including plumbing.