St. Mary's Dog Park

St. Mary's Dog Park is a pet only play area in the city of San Francisco, California. Vehicle parking is available in the recreation center's main parking lot.

The park is a good sized, fully enclosed field which has been specially designated by the San Francisco authorities as an off-leash dog park. It is bordered by a double, chain-link fence which is waist high in parts and almost 10 feet high in others. The dog park is surfaced mainly with grass which is well maintained. There are several un-planted flower beds which are covered in bark chippings and a paved pathway runs around the perimeter. There is no separate section cordoned off for small dogs.

The St. Mary's Dog Park is quite popular and can get very busy at key dog exercising hours and on the weekends. Dogs must be leashed before leaving the off-leash park. It is permitted for one handler to take up to nine dogs inside at once as long as they are all correctly licensed and vaccinated.

Tall, mature trees and low shrubbery border the off-leash area. Depending on the time of day and angle of the sun, these can cast large shadows over the park and so offer good shade in hot weather. The park is relatively open to the elements and does close after heavy rainfall if the ground has become saturated.

A dog-friendly water fountain has been installed inside the off-leash area. There are park benches and picnic tables provided, but poop bags are not. Owners must carry their own supply of poop bags, pick up after their pets and deposit all waste in the adequate containers.

The St Mary's Dog Park closes on occasion for cleaning. The day of closure can vary and the public are notified by a notice posted on the entrance gates. There are also coyote warning posters around the park so small dog owners should be vigilant when exercising their pets off their leashes.