Chanticleer Dog Park

Santa Cruz is home to many dog-friendly parks and beaches, and leashed dogs are allowed practically everywhere. Chanticleer Dog Park is an unleashed pup playground in the middle of a residential neighborhood that features a grass, wood chip and dirt surface. While it's not perfectly manicured, the doggos don't care, and there are lots of lawn chairs, benches and picnic tables spread around the park to keep doggy parents out of the fray and the sun. 

The park is on donated land and is maintained by volunteers who bring toys, replenish water in the 30-gallon tank, and keep the area clean. Waste bags and receptacles are provided so everyone can chip in. The volunteers ask that visitors leave a bag if they use one, to keep the flow going. 

While the doggos are cavorting with new and old fur-buddies, the human guardians will no doubt be doing what they do in most dog parks: chatting, drinking coffee and keeping an eye on their fur-babies in case they're involved in over-the-top hijinks. Chanticleer has an added perk: a small book exchange station where you can pick up a book to while away the time! Donations to the book exchange are welcome! How about you bring that old copy of Inside of a Dog and leave it here!

A few things to consider when deciding if this is the dog park for your fur-baby: there is no separate small dog zone, so if you have a tiny or timid pupper, this may not be a good fit. Also the 4-foot fence may not keep a skilled jumper contained. Finally, consider that the gate can be tricky because it slides rather than swings open. Overall, Chanticleer is a convenient, dog-approved park for off-leash play that your pup will love!