OVERVIEW
In Wine Country’s City of Napa; home to world-famous vineyards, wineries, and gourmet dining, and close to CA-221 (Soscol Avenue) and Imola Avenue, resides Shurtleff Park. This park is known for providing a convenient neighborhood dog park. If you are looking for a pet-friendly activity in Wine Country, go do the CANGO at Shurtleff Park.
HOW PET-FRIENDLY IS IT?
The surrounding area is residential and fortunately not very polluted or congested. It is located in a residential neighborhood right next door to an elementary school (so you can enjoy the sound of children screaming and dogs barking at the same time).
Possibly due to the fact that this park is nestled in a residential neighborhood, it was amazingly difficult to find. The navigation system in my car AND google maps both lead me in circles. I had to pull over and ask a resident who was, by chance, working in his front yard where the park was, and neither satellite directions were even close. I think that instead of entering the park’s address, you may be better off searching for the intersection of Shurtleff and Shelter Avenues or possibly the school, Phillips Magnet Elementary. And instead of going in circles, either: (A) turn onto Shelter Avenue from Soscol (I believe it dead-ends at Soscol so there is only one way to turn, but you want to head East) and continue until you see the schoolyard, or (B) from Imola turn (East) onto Shurtleff and stay on Shurtleff until you see the schoolyard on Shelter and then turn (right) onto Shelter to enter the park.
I was not expecting much from this park given that it was just a neighborhood park and to be honest by the time I found it, I was rather frustrated from all the driving in circles. Much to my surprise, I truly enjoyed the park and so did my dog, Lovie. In fact, we enjoyed the park so much that whenever I am in the Napa Area with Lovie, I will make a point of taking him there. Here is why: (1) it is safe and free to park your car, (2) it is easily accessed to accommodate different athletic levels or handicap accessible, (3) it presents different elements of enrichment: grass for running and wrestling, shade from trees for hot days, a creek for hot days (depending on the season), and a clear, flat path facilitating walking for everyone. It also offers enough room for you and your dog to walk together instead of just standing around, yet it is fenced so you do not have to worry about your dog escaping and getting hit by a car (again, it is worth noting that it is in a school zone that fact probably deters speeders… hopefully).
Bottom line: do not be fooled by the small entrance to this neighborhood park, it is like Oscar the Grouch’s trash can, there is more than meets the eye. The only thing I would criticize is what a pain in the butt it is to find and how unnoticeable the entrance is. It is not big, but it is a good park to visit if you are in the area.
IS IT CONVENIENT OR A PAIN IN THE —?
Parking is fairly easy with free street parking only available. I went during the day, off-peak, so I do not know how challenging the parking would be in the evening when everyone is home from work and others are visiting the park after work. I did not notice any lights in the park, so it may be a daylight only park.
The surrounding area is very pedestrian-friendly and safe as it is in a residential neighborhood and next door to an elementary school. If I recall correctly, speeding in a designated safe area like a school carries a greater penalty, so speeding cars would be unlikely. If, however, you had a dasher like a sighthound that could race a block or two in a matter of seconds (and I know this because of our afghan, Reggie), it is worth noting that Imola is a pretty busy street right off of CA-221, so I would suggest leashing and unleashing your dog inside.
Given the fact that Shurtleff Park is an official off-leash dog park, it is obviously very easy to dispose of waste, with multiple trash cans and doody bag dispensers.
The closest 24/7 emergency vet is Solano-Napa Pet Emergency Clinic located at 4437 Central Place in Fairfield. This clinic is 14 miles away or about a 20-minute drive. Another closer option that is only open Monday through Saturday is Silverado Veterinary Hospital which is about 4 miles away or a 10-minute drive.
*[Please note: We provide the veterinary locations as a reference and resource, not a referral or endorsement].
