OVERVIEW
In the East Bay’s city of Alameda, home to the USS Hornet on the (former) Base side of the Island, close to the intersection of 8th and Central Ave, resides a small, gated dog park in Lower Washington Park. Lower Washington Park offers a segregated dog park that with separate areas for small versus big dogs. The park abutsCrown Memorial State Beach. Note: Crown Memorial Beach does not allow dogs off-lead and is patrolled regularly. If you’re looking for a good place to socialize a puppy or a senior, you may want to do the Cango at Lower Washington Park.
There is a popular segregated dog park on the Base side of the Island (through the Webster Tube) in Lower Washington Park near the beach (Note: it’s not an off-leash each). There are separate areas for small versus big dogs. There is a lot of puppy activity in the small area and senior dogs seem to feel more relaxed on that side too. The rowdier dogs that can take a hit or two, tend to gravitate to the big dog side.
IS THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT/SERVICE WORTH A VISIT?
Lovie and I frequented Lower Washington Park regularly when he was a puppy because I thought he was too small to go to an off-leash mixed sized park like Point Isabel. As it turned out, there were a lot of other dog owners with the same approach to socializing their pups so Lovie benefited from regular puppy happy hours at the park. The small dog area is smaller than the big dog side, but neither offers owners or their dogs the opportunity to take a real walk like atFort Funston or Point Isabel. They use sand instead of grass or wood chips, so prepare to bath your dog if they like to mix it up with other wrestlers.
HOW PET-FRIENDLY IS IT?
Comfort level of the pet-friendly area is okay but not quite good. Since you cannot really walk around, owners tend to lean on the fence or sit. I am certain that I would not be alone in suggesting ways to provide more shade like canopies or trees and more outdoor chairs or benches would be much appreciated.
The surrounding area can suffer from traffic congestion by those heading towards the southern shore to Otis along 8th, but being by a beach helps in terms of blowing away car exhaust. Even though Lower Washington Park is close to two main streets in Alameda, I have not noticed a lot of traffic noise when I have been there. And since the dog park area is setback from the street, you do feel like you are in a park not on a busy thoroughfare.
I mentioned that it is a good place to socialize puppies, with that in mind, I also want to mention that they have a double gate entrance area which is great to prevent door dashing and also gives dogs a chance to sniff before entry.
IS IT CONVENIENT OR A PAIN IN THE —?
Parking is easy in the free parking lot or along the street that offers free parking without meters.
The surrounding area is pedestrian-friendly in the park and along the beach. I definitely think that it is safe and comfortable to walk around with a pet, but you must have your dog on-lead in all areas except the gated dog parks. It is easy to dispose of waste, with trash bins throughout the gated dog parks and the larger park.
The closest 24/7 emergency vet is VCA Bay Area Veterinary Services located on Washington in San Leandro (another city). [Please note: we provide this information as a resource, not a recommendation.]*
Lower Washington Dog Park in East Bay’s City of Alameda
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