Notes on Sausalito and Novato Dog Parks by Marilyn Tims

Sausalito Remington Park – 100 Ebtide at Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA., sausalitodogpark.org, 415.846.8323

It just so happened that one of the board members was at the park cutting the grass so I was able to get a lot of information. The board member is:

E. Michael Stevens
415.332.4486
mstevens4@aol.com
• The park is about 1.9 acres.
• The land was donated by a local school.
• The city of Sausalito has agreed to furnish the water and trash pick up for free
• They are set up as a non-profit which was time consuming and requires a lot of documentation for taxes every year.
• The park is about 10 years old
• The park is wide open with no separation of large and small dogs
• There are two separate areas with gates to enter the park.
• There is a water area which is raised on gravel - hose and several water bowls
• Part of the park is grass/weeds, part bark chips and the rest dirt & gravel (DG)
• The bark chips are free from a local landscaper. It apparently costs the landscaper $20 a load to dump the chips at the dump. He can dump his load for free at the dog park. Only problem is that they also try to dump larger branches, etc. So, a board member has to be at the park at time of delivery.
• In talking with Michael, he indicated that the Dirt & Gravel (DG) holds up best and requires the least maintenance.
• The chips have to be replaced periodically
• The grass has to be mowed which requires up-keep of a mower and someone to do the mowing.
• Their annual cost of operation for the park is about $ 4,500. (remember their water and trash pick up is being donated by the city)
• The board members do most of the work because volunteers are not reliable.
• You have to have someone that manages the volunteers and their schedule
• There is a parking area adjoining the park
• Lots of trees, benches and picnic table

NOVATO DOG PARK – O’Hair Park – also known as Dog Bone Meadow
On Novato Blvd just north of San Marin, for info call the city of Novato at 415.899.8200 or look at their website - cityofnovato.org

The park is run by the City of Novato and volunteers known as Dog Owners Group Bettering our Novato Environment - DOGBONE
• It is a good size park - between 2 and 2.5 acres
• It is rectangle in shape
• There is no division for large and small dogs
• It is set up like a high school running track
• There is a running track around the length and width of the park. The surface is small dirt & gravel
• In the center of the track area it is grass
• On the outside of the track is an agility course for the dogs
• There are two gated entrances
• One water area with hose and several large water bowls
• A couple of benches and chairs around the perimeter of the park
• One of the benches has an overhang that would be good cover in rain or on very sunny hot days.