Congratulations, Sacramento dog lovers!  You finally have a dog park to be proud of.  We took Peaches and Beau to the newly opened dog park at Haggin Park in Rancho Cordova on Sunday.  We missed the grand opening on Saturday, but I'm not a fan of crowded dog parks (and neither are my dogs), so Sunday was a better introduction to this beautiful new playground for pets.  This dog park is situated on a gently rolling hill generously studded with mature oaks, which will provide plenty of shade when, or if, it ever stops raining and the weather turns warm.

 

There were three spacious fenced areas provided: the main park, an intermediate-sized one (also nicely shaded) for less boisterous breeds like basset hounds, and another large area for the 30 pounds and under pack.  There were no shade trees at all in that space, however.  There's a big shiny drinking fountain for large humans, smaller humans, and one that's just right for the dogs.  The dogs' fountain looks just like people's only lower to the ground, of course.  The entry area is spacious enough for people to enter with their dogs without playing Cat's Cradle with leashes.  Parking for vehicles is ample.  Dog park rules are prominently displayed at the entrance, and one hopes they will be observed; however, on this day there were two offenders. One owner with a pair of aggressive boxers did not immediately leave the area, as advised, and drove us into the adjoining area.  Another couple brought their small child into the dog park; there's an 18 or older rule for dog parks for the safety of children, since not all dogs are accustomed to children (like Peaches, who is scared of them).  A poop bag dispenser is even provided and well stocked at this park, unlike at our own small Glenbrook Park. The City claimed they couldn't provide that for us due to budget cuts.  Poo, poo!

The dog park at Haggin is the one that dog-owning residents in this neighborhood wish we'd gotten.  I wrote letters to the city at the time they were building it, pleading for more space, of which there was plenty to spare, but my input was ignored.  They have also started locking the gate at the rear of the park again, cutting off an important escape hatch for park users if someone brings an aggressive dog, as is often the case.  Guy with the two intact male pit bulls, are you reading this?

But a prize basket of dog bones goes to Rancho Cordova for this wonderful new dog lover's haven.  It's the jewel in the collar that reminds me of the dog parks I admired while in New York City in 2004.  I thought at the time, If they can have parks like this in such a large metropolitan area as Manhattan, why can't we?  Now we do!