Rancho San Rafael Dog Park

The first dog park I ever visited when I got my Springer Spaniel Molly was Rancho San Rafael, located in the heart of Reno at 1595 North Sierra Street. We were both immediately enthrallled with the sprawling expanse of grass and native plants, manicured and spanning from the top of a gently sloping hill to Sierra Street, running along side fabulous Ranch San Rafael Park, and to the borders of busy Mccarran Avenue. The doggy paradise is barricaded off by inefficient wooden fences in most places, but still safe to contain the average well behaved dog, even given the normal dash into the public park, grass, willows, and marshy areas.

There is a long, wide dirt trail cutting through the grasses for discerning bipeds, and a dirt trail bordering all around the perimeters of the space, probably a good mile and a half all together. Our canine friends can run unleashed and free as they were meant to do. At the top of the hill there is a small deep doggy pond, where, like it or not, your dog may be inclined to go for a swim.The location allows for amazing panoramic views of the downtown Reno Casinos and the mountains beyond in all of their glory.

If you leash your dog you can venture under McCarran Avenue, a tunnel that lets out on the North side of the street that circles the whole of Reno and Sparks. Here you will find a well preserved nature area, with a marsh and creek running through willows, old grey weathered trees and local shrubbery; perfect conditions for observing birds and small creatures in their natural habitat. Beyond that, the sage brush dotted foothills feature a large metal monument, long oxidized to “Statue Of Liberty” green-a tribute to the Basque sheep herders who made themselves at home amongst the early settlers of the area.

Dogs and people of all kinds can be seen frequenting the park, from Min Pins to Great Danes and every breed in between, the people and dog watching is colorful and plentiful. When dog lover’s come together there is always a friendly conversation. Everybody is happy at the Rancho San Rafael dog park. I have since visited several other local Dog Parks. In my opinion next to the Rancho San Rafael canine playground every other one seems a patch of dirt and, well….once you have seen the best it’s hard to enjoy the rest.


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