I took my buddy Angel to the dog park in Crestline today. It was a lovely day (light jacket weather) and the park had about 15-20 dogs running around in it.

Angel was pretty excited as we drove up and parked. Still in the car, I snapped on the leash and led him to the entrance. As we walked in (calmly, as Cesar Milan recommends), a female boxer (Roxie) and an Aussie Shepard girl (didn’t get the name) greeted my dog, exchanged some polite butt sniffing, and invited him to play. So I took off Angel’s collar and let him run around.

Of course, everyone thought Angel, our standard Poodle, was a big breed puppy from the way he acted - romping around, running full out with glee. Sometimes I worry if our four year old will ever slow down a bit. So altogether the dog park was a big success for him getting his yayas out.

About the Crestline Dog Park

The dog park is a large, flat, grassy area surrounded by a chain link fence. You can see Lake Gregory bordering the north end, a creek with bridge on the west end, pine trees to the south, and the parking to the east. The park itself is divided in half by a softball diamond, which the dogs and their owners also use when no one is actually playing ball. Actually, with all the dogs playing ball, too, it makes sense!

Parking is free and there is no fee for using the dog park.

A Few Things of Note:

• There was no sign indicating this is a dog park. And I did look. Since I have always seen dogs here, off leash, with owners milling around and throwing toys, I assume this is, indeed, an official off-leash dog park.
• Along those lines, there are no towers full of doggies bags, so bring your own. I forgot mine, and of course Angel copped a large squat. I asked the nice dog owner next to me if she had a spare bag. She didn’t, but then loudly announced to the crowd along the fence that a spare bag was needed. Well, that’s one way to make friends! I felt sheepish, like a mom who forgot to bring a diaper for her kid, but several people rushed towards me with smiles and spare bags. I took a yellow bag from a very nice blond woman (owner of Roxie the Boxer) . The bag smelled like flowers. That was quite nice.
• Be aware there are no trash bins for the bags of poop in the dog park. I had to actually tie the bag off and stick it in my jacket pocket. Very pleasant. You do what you gotta “doo.”
• There were no seats for the humans - not a bench or picnic table in sight. If you need to sit, bring your own folding camp stool.
• There is a dumpster back in the parking lot, on the edge near the start of the walking trail around Lake Gregory. I am not clear if it’s kosher to throw your poop baggies in it, but I did anyway. I had errands to run in town and didn’t want to drive around all afternoon with even a floral-scented bag of doo on the seat beside me.

Crestline Dog Park Overall:

This is a very nice place to take your dog in spite of the lack of the usual pet park “amenities.” The pets and people were friendly, the scenery was lovely, and there was still sunshine in the area in the late afternoon (around 4pm in mid-April). Dogs of all sizes were enjoying each other, from small furry tykes to one gorgeous deep black Great Dane puppy. The people seemed to include a lot of regulars; all nicely mellow to Angel and myself. The dogs were well behaved and there was a lot of room to throw balls, discs and Wubbas.

We will probably use the park every time we come to check our mail or do errands in town.

Stumble it!