Toad Hollow Dog Park

The dog park offers great opportunities for both dogs and owners to develop social skills. Signs, signs, everywhere signs...

Happy puppy at the dog park

Park after major storm on 10/13/2009

Location

1919 2nd Street (near Sudwerk)

Size

1.0 hectare (2.5 acres)

Hours

Dawn to Dusk, closed when flooded

Call (530) 757-5656 for closure info or

email notices

Website

http://www.city.davis.ca.us/pcs/facility/dogpark.cfm

Toad Hollow Dog Park is a fully fenced off-leash area with street parking along the southern periphery as well as limited parking within Toad Hollow. This facility has a double-lock entry gate and includes a small dog area, drinking fountain with additional hose bib for pets and trash stations with plastic bags; park users are encouraged to bring their excess plastic grocery bags to ensure a steady supply of bags. Parking includes two disabled parking spaces and ten regular spaces on site and thirty-four spaces along 2nd Street. The park is expected to be open year-round except when flooded. Important Notes: The pond area of Toad Hollow is off limits to dogs. Additionally, if the city finds that more than 75% of users fail to clean up after their dogs, a site monitor will be assigned to police the facility. On the afternoon of April 30, 2005, the City of Davis formally hosted the grand opening celebration of Toad Hollow Dog Park preceded by a four-hour SPCA fundraiser walkathon. For more information about the dog park or other off-leash areas, contact the "City of Davis Parks & Community Services Department" (530/757-5626).

Toad Hollow Dog Park was won through years of Davis dog owners attending City Council meetings that often left owners in chambers until almost midnight, hours spent planning and identifying potential locations that weren't wanted by any other local groups, meetings with Parks officials and reviewing strategies used in other cities, and even calculating the number of dogs in town per capita. Locations identified years earlier were snatched away mid-process by groups such as the Sierra Club. This project received tremendous support and encouragement from the Parks department while councilmembers were pretty lukewarm on the concept of a city-sponsored dog park. Park users should keep in mind that this park exists only by virtue of all those who continued the struggle in a public and very divisive forum and, as history has shown us, it takes just a few persistent voices to lose this valuable resource.

The name referred to on the signs is the "Core Pond Dog Park". The more common name "Toad Hollow Dog Park" comes from the fact that the Toad Tunnels empty out into the area.

See also Davis Dog Owners Group which maintains a list server for group updates

News & History

Overview of the park from the southwest corner

Toad Hollow Dog Park can be seen looking west from 2nd Street.

On the afternoon of April 30, 2005, the City of Davis formally hosted the grand opening celebration of Toad Hollow Dog Park preceded by a four-hour SPCA fundraiser walkathon. The 3-kilometer walk began at Community Park at 8am.For more information about the dog park or other off-leash areas, contact the "City of Davis Parks & Community Services Department" (530/757-5626).
In early 2006 the City of Davis Parks & Recreation conducted a user survey at Toad Hollow Dog Park. The Recreation & Park Commission reviewed results of the 300+ Toad Hollow survey respondents and made recommendations to the City Council in June concerning proposed amenities to be included in the Dog Park Master Plan, communication and signage, and additional potential master plan amenities.
On July 6, 2006, the public was invited to attend and comment on proposed improvements to Toad Hollow and to help develop a master plan for the park based on user desired gathered in a survey staged earlier in the year. Additional community input was gathered and discussed with Parks representatives who will draft a proposed sketch of the area for presentation and further discussion at a follow-up meeting on July 20 at 6pm [most likely at the Hattie Weber Museum]; the results of this second meeting will be presented to the City of Davis Parks & Recreation Committee at their August 17 meeting, and the community is strongly encouraged to have a presence at that meeting. Proposed improvements include

a 6-foot wide ADA-compliant walking path along the park perimeter with distance markers for users who would like to incorporate an human exercise aspect
more trees outside the fenceline to provide additional shade
permanent benches just inside the fenceline as well as permanent conversation benches beneath existing tree clusters
a fenced "small dog" area immediately adjacent to the drinking fountain and including the southeast corner of the park - this area would have a separate entrance and access to drinking water for small dogs
additional trash cans
a permanent bulletin board and area for lost/found items as well as some landscaping in this area
a sign on the pole at the park entrance identifying the park as well as a highly visible flag indicating open/closed status
a phone number users can call to find out when the park is open/closed

The watering hole is a great place to meet others.

Some user requests including an additional drinking fountain, plastic bags, restrooms, additional parking, lighting, water feature and dog training equipment were set aside because of logistical issues. Meeting attendees were reminded that the City of Davis does not provide additional funding to support improvements to the area for dog park users; the cost of these improvements are likely to be borne by park users unless alternate funding sources can be identified.

On July 20, 2006, the public was invited to attend and comment on a master plan for Toad Hollow drafted following a July 6 public meeting. All items proposed at the July 6 meeting were incorporated as well as a dog rinse station in the parking lot. Additionally, the proposed open/closed flag will be flown whenever the dog park is open and taken down when closed. Attendees were very pleased with the finalized plan which was to be presented to the City of Davis Recreation & Park Commission at their August 17 meeting — interested community members were strongly encouraged to attend that meeting. [Note: The August 17 meeting of the City of Davis Recreation & Park Commission never happened — the finalized Toad Hollow master plan would be presented at the commission's September 21 meeting.]

The park entrance can be very muddy during the rainy season, so wear your boots!

On September 21, 2006, the City of Davis Recreation & Park Commission heard a presentation of the Toad Hollow Dog Park master plan and unanimously voted to support it with the addition of educational signage about the dangers of rinsing shampoo products into the environment. A suggestion was also made and noted by Parks staff that a hitching post be added to the dog rinse station to protect against runaway dogs. Lamar Heystek expressed concern over the potential cost of improvements to the facility but was reassured by commission members as well as Parks staff that the city would not be expected to provide financial support. Instead, funding for amenities will fall upon dog owners and the community — community members interested in helping raise funds or donate toward completion of the master plan should contact Davis Dog Owners Group, who have established a close working relationship with the City of Davis Parks & Community Services Department and can best facilitate funds planning.

Size is no obstacle.

On October 28, 2006, a Hallowe'en party was held at the Toad Hollow Dog Park from 3:30pm-5pm. Many dogs arrived in costume, including Mr. Furley (from Three's Company), an escapee from the psych ward in straightjacket, a pimp dog, cookie monster and the Coppertone dog. Prizes were awarded for best costumes in several categories and best dog trick. Photos taken at the event were emailed to attendees at their request. DDOGS and event sponsors had information available for attendees, home baked pupcakes were distributed to all dogs desirous, and everybody went home with treat bags. Event organizers were Desirée and Kush gave a big thanks to sponsors, Acorn Veterinary Clinic, Animal Kingdom, Fo' Paws Grooming, Luhdorff & Scalmanini Consulting Engineers, Premier Chiropractic of Woodland, South Davis Veterinary Center and Watch Dog Pet Sitting Services.

Read the Puparazzi section of Davis Life Magazine each month to see Davis dogs and their owners around town, usually at Toad Hollow Dog Park.

More information

Cal Aggie: No activities unrelated to dogs allowed

Please visit Dogs for more information about dog ownership in Davis.

Comments:

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2005-04-25 15:05:00 Groups of saplings were recently planted in three corners of the park, so while visitors shouldn't expect much shade this summer, next summer should offer some shelter! —AlphaDog

2005-12-11 21:04:44 A sign at the entrance would be nice - I know where this park is and still it is a bit hard to find the entrance. —PaulThober

2006-10-19 09:22:24 A sign has been posted at the entrance for those who keep overshooting the driveway! —AlphaDog

2006-03-06 22:28:29 I LOVE DOGSSSSS —JesseUnger

2006-09-01 12:05:20 This Place is incredible. I live in a small house with no yard on the otherside of Woodland(which is not as dog friendly as Davis)and I make a pilgrimage to this park at least once a week when it is open. Being on a fixed income, Public Facilities Such as this are a godsend. —MurlinLenard

2007-01-25 20:28:29 So fun!!! This was a great time for my little pug. —RachelCakes

2007-02-28 15:49:57 My dachshund has a bad habit of barking and snapping at other dogs...would it be a bad idea to bring him here? —CourageCowardlyDog

"2007-02-28" I'd advise against it if your dog isn't "dog friendly". There can be a lot of dogs in the area, and when two of them get into a fight it's often a mass of dogs that is very hard to get safely at your dog to separate them. (I've also seen dogs that do better when off leash then when on) — WesHardaker

2007-05-15 15:33:09 Well, I now have a dog and we have visited the Toad Hollow dog park twice. Already my buddy knows what "dog park?" means and nearly falls out of his skin in his excitement. The dogs are great, the people are nice. —SharlaDaly

2007-10-14 12:14:34 There will be a Howl-o-ween Party at Toad Hollow Dog Park on Saturday, 27 October from 3:30pm-5pm! This event is a fundraiser as well as a community-building event. There's no entry fee, so dress up your pup and come out for some fun! But if you'd like to help support park improvements, bring along some spare dollar bills and maybe even your checkbook! A dog behaviorist from the VMTH will be available to provide animal manners advice, we'll be having a bake sale for dogs, and of course, the costume contest! Prizes include dog sitting services, Newsbeat donations and more! —AlphaDog

2007-10-14 12:19:06 A generous individual within our community has also donated a dozen trees to Toad Hollow, so we now need a few hearty souls to help plant these trees around the end of October. If you can give us a hand, please join the DDOG list server at davisdogpark-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and post a note indicating your willingness! We're hoping to coordinate plantings either right before or immediately after the Howl-o-ween party. —AlphaDog

2007-11-12 19:31:47 Does anyone know why there is no sidewalk into the park? Dogs and people like to walk, why don't they make it safer and pleasant to walk into the park with your dog? —TedBuehler

2007-12-05 10:33:13 how about a conveyor belt? —GregFurnish

2008-03-10 11:54:53 My dog loves this park. The only problem is with the drinking fountain. It needs some better drainage or grass — it's muddy as hell and the dogs love it! (my car does not!)

—maymay

2008-08-12 13:07:30 This is an excellent dog park, lots of fun. The plastic lawn chairs are a nice addition. My dog prefers the smaller dog run at Community Park -somehow she is more playful there, maybe she can "connect" better when there are fewer dogs. I have heard a A LOT of talk - from small dog owners mostly - about being afraid to bring their dogs here because of aggression. I know one dog that was attacked, unprovoked, twice. I don't know the specific circumstances but plead with people to be responsible when they go here & not ruin it for others. Many people plant themselves somewhere to socialize, text message, read, etc without attempting to monitor their dog. The park is huge & things can get out of hand quickly. Also, lack of attention is no excuse for missing dog poops - the corners of this park are frequently peppered with poops. I know that saintly volunteers pick up regularly after these people's dogs, so I can only imagine what the place would be like without them. —Dora5

2009-01-13 23:54:58 RE Fencing & Gravel: While I also was opposed to creating a smaller park w/in a park, the small dog area was a major issue for many community members and came out of many, many community meetings that formed the basis for the Toad Hollow Master Plan. Both this fenced area and the walkway were requested by the community and were incorporated into the master plan. Perhaps more importantly, the walkway makes Toad Hollow more friendly to the elderly/frail and folks with disabilities — the walkway brings Toad Hollow in compliance with the ADA. It's all about compromising to meet the needs of many, right?

Oh, and the lights just aren't going to happen. We asked for them throughout the master planning process and were told it's not an option, and we continue to bring up the lighting issue. One of the issues with installing lights is that Toad Hollow is the lowest point in Davis... it's a natural drainage for the entire downtown area. So it's the first place in town that floods. All it takes is one good day of heavy rain to flood the area. We even asked about using existing street light standards to flood the park, but that was nixed as well. We'll continue to push for lights, but don't hold your breath. (Let's not even talk about bathrooms! Can you imagine what would happen when the floods come?)

If you really want to effect changes, I encourage you to join Davis Dog Owners' Group, or at least subscribe to the list server, where you can find out about opportunities to get involved. In fact, the city of Davis Parks Master Plan is currently being updated (there have already been several community meetings and surveys), and the Parks Commission is scheduled to make decisions regarding the updates this Thursday, January 15.

Oh, and IMO, I also agree that segregating aggressive dogs can be counterproductive, unless the dog truly cannot be controlled. Rather than setting up an aggressive dog for a lifetime of limited contact with other dogs and humans, it seems preferable to invest in additional training. If the training methods these owners have used are not working, they may want to consider different training methods. Some dogs are just smarter than their owners, making them difficult to control! [sorry for the overly long post... it's been two years coming!] —AlphaDog

2009-01-19 10:51:43 My dog loves coming here for an hour a day of play. This place can be overwhelming with so many dogs, but is well worth it if you are attentive and always on doggie patrol. —AnneBrowning

2009-05-31 19:13:13 I love to take my small dogs to the dog park. The small dog area is perfect on days when there are many large dogs. My 9 month old chugs (chihuahua/pug mix) Simon and Bowkey can be timid around large dogs. However they love to watch all the dogs and will run with the pack after a warm up time. The other great thing about the dog park is that you don't have to worry about the people there, as they for the most part are reasonably well adjusted, as evidenced by their love of dogs. —HazelWatson

2009-09-23 09:19:52 New to Davis with an adopted German Shepherd from the SPCA who apparently has some anxiety and socialization issues. I'm trying to break him in and slowly build his social skills safely. What is the best time to visit with the LEAST amount of traffic for undistracted training and socialization? —Kiefer

2009-10-15 15:25:56 There's usually hardly anyone there if you go sometime in the middle of the afternoon...like from 12pm-3pm. It's the most crowded in the couple hours before sunset. My dog used to be kind of scared and antisocial when I first started bringing her, but I did the same thing and eased her into it during the really dead hours...and then eventually she worked her way up to being comfortable with all the dogs. —sam120287

2009-10-16 20:17:37 Some friends of mine at the dog park and I have discussed a really different "fix" for the bathrooms and pedestrian access issues. Midway down the south side, a pedestrian ramp bridge with it's own gate (for closing after dark) could be installed, elevated over the protected wild area, and lead to another doggy airlock gate. Doing this would allow space for a potty at the top, on the level of second street. Peds and pups would also no longer have to dodge 2 cars on a 1.5 lane road walking down to the park. —PopeChristof