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Sacramento ranked among best dog park cities in US. Here’s what it has to offer pet owners

Looking for the perfect place to play with your pooch? Sacramento is one of the top 10 cities in the nation for dog parks, according to LawnStarter.com.

The lawn service website ranked 101 of the biggest cities in the United States based on access to dog parks, weather conditions and other factors.

Boise was No. 1 on LawnStarter’s list of the best spots for dog park aficionados, followed by San Francisco and Portland, Oregon.

Here’s where Sacramento ranked.

Dogs chase each other playfully during the grand opening of the Truitt Bark Park in Sacramento in 2017.
Dogs chase each other playfully during the grand opening of the Truitt Bark Park in Sacramento in 2017. Randall Benton Sacramento Bee file

Why is Sacramento a top city for dog parks?

Sacramento landed at No. 10 on LawnStarter’s list of the best dog park cities in the nation with an overall rating of 51.11 out of 100.

The capital city ranked relatively high in terms of the number of top-rated dog parks and how easy it is for residents to access them.

The city of Sacramento is home to 15 off-leash dog parks — all of them fenced with double-gate systems for security.

“Dog owners can test their arm strength and even use tennis ball launchers to get their dogs active and running in a safe and fun environment,” the city Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment said on its website.

Amenities include benches, shade canopies, turf areas and drinking fountains for dogs, the city said.

Where are local off-leash parks for pets?

Here’s where to find the city’s off-leash dog parks in Sacramento:

  • Bannon Creek Park and Parkway, 2780 Azevedo Drive in Natomas
  • Barandas Dog Park, 2805 Grasslands Drive
  • Blackbird Park Dog Park, 3765 Hovnanian Drive
  • Glenbrook Park, 8500 La Riviera Drive
  • Granite Regional Park, 8200 Ramona Ave.
  • Jacinto Creek Park, 8600 West Stockton Blvd.
  • Lynn Robie Dog Park, 7895 Freeport Blvd. at Bill Conlin Youth Sports Complex
  • North Natomas Regional Park, 2501 New Market Drive
  • Olympians Park, 350 Crate Ave.
  • Partner Park, 5699 South Land Park Drive behind Belle Cooledge Community Center
  • Regency Community Park, 5500 Honor Pkwy. in North Natomas
  • Sutter’s Landing Park, 20 28th St.
  • Tanzanite Community Park, 2220 Tanzanite Way
  • Truitt Bark Park, 1818 Q St.
  • University Avenue Dog Park, 1900 University Ave.
  • Valley Oak Dog Park, 2780 Mabry Drive

The Sacramento region also boasts a number of off-leash parks for pets, according to Sacramento County Regional Parks.

They include locations in Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Cordova, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Fulton and Rio Linda.

Sacramento’s abundance of dog parks is one of the reasons USA Today Blueprint ranked the city among the best spots for happy, healthy dogs in 2024.

Sacamento has four dog parks for every 100,000 residents, the personal finance website said, and 84% of people live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

A map created by the city of Sacramento’s Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment shows the locations of off-leash dog parks in the capital city.
A map created by the city of Sacramento’s Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment shows the locations of off-leash dog parks in the capital city. Courtesy of Sacramento Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment

What are the best dog park cities in America?

These are the top 10 cities for dog parks in the United States, according to LawnStarter:

  1. Boise
  2. San Francisco
  3. Portland, Oregon
  4. Henderson, Nevada
  5. Tampa, Florida
  6. Arlington, Virginia
  7. Albuquerque, New Mexico
  8. New York City
  9. Las Vegas
  10. Sacramento

Several other California cities landed lower down on LawnStarter’s list.

They included San Diego at No. 18, Chula Vista at No. 21 and Anaheim at No. 27.

A dog walks with its owner under the fall colors at McKinley Park on Friday, Nov 27, 2020 in Sacramento. Dogs must be on a leash in public areas, according to Sacramento law.
A dog walks with its owner under the fall colors at McKinley Park on Friday, Nov 27, 2020 in Sacramento. Dogs must be on a leash in public areas, according to Sacramento law. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com

How did Lawnstarter come up with rankings?

LawnStarter rated 101 of the biggest U.S. cities based on eight key factors grouped into three categories: access, quality and climate.

Those factors were:

  • Dog parks per 100,000 residents
  • Number of top-rated dog parks
  • Average consumer rating for dog parks
  • Average number of reviews per dog park
  • Average monthly inches of precipitation
  • Average monthly percentage of sunshine
  • Average number of very cold days
  • Average number of very hot days

The site calculated scores for each city — out of a possible 100 points — to determine its rank in each factor, each category and overall.

This story was originally published July 15, 2024 at 2:43 PM.

Sarah Linn
The Tribune
Sarah Linn is an editor and reporter on the West Service Journalism Team, working with journalists in Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Merced and San Luis Obispo in California and Bellingham, Olympia and Tri-Cities in Washington, as well as Boise, Idaho. She previously served as the Local/Entertainment Editor of The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, working there for nearly two decades. A graduate of Oregon State University, she has earned multiple California journalism awards.
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