3.0
I love how much room there is for my girls to run! That being said the fencing isn't the same height around the whole park. There's one corner that is so low that my medium size dog can put her head on top and look over. It's not safe for larger breeds who can and will escape. Like I said though it's great: plenty of room to run, poop bag station/poop scoops if you don't want to bend down, and it even has a water fountain for the dogs. If they fixed the fence I would be 100% happy to come back.
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- (831) 420-5270
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Dog Park Near Me
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Welcome to Pacheco Dog Park
For dog owners in Santa Cruz, California, finding a reliable and spacious off-leash area is key to keeping their canine companions happy and healthy. Pacheco Dog Park, located in Santa Cruz, CA 95065, offers just that: a dedicated space where dogs can truly stretch their legs, sniff around, and enjoy some freedom. While it might not be the fanciest park in the area, its generous size and essential amenities make it a practical and welcoming spot for local pups and their human friends.
Pacheco Dog Park provides a substantial amount of room for dogs to run, a feature highly valued by visitors. As one delighted owner shared, "I love how much room there is for my girls to run!" This expansive area allows for energetic play and proper exercise, ensuring that even the most active dogs can burn off steam. The park features a wood chip ground, which can be a comfortable and relatively clean surface for paws, and offers the added benefit of natural shade trees, providing a cool respite on warm California days.
Beyond the open space, Pacheco Dog Park is equipped with practical necessities designed to make visits convenient. A water fountain keeps pups hydrated, and a readily available poop bag station (including scoops for convenience) promotes a clean and responsible environment for all users. Described as "quiet" and "clean" by visitors, it often provides a more mellow atmosphere, ideal for dogs who enjoy a bit more personal space or for owners seeking a peaceful outing. It's a "simple park" that focuses on the fundamentals, ensuring a positive experience for the canine community of Santa Cruz.
Pacheco Dog Park is located in Santa Cruz, CA 95065, USA. More specifically, public records indicate its location at Pacheco Avenue and Prospect Heights. This placement allows it to serve the local Santa Cruz community effectively, providing a neighborhood off-leash option.
Accessibility to the park is generally good for local residents. While specific details on dedicated parking lots at the immediate entrance are not always highlighted, being situated at a street intersection implies that on-street parking or nearby neighborhood parking would be available. The park operates from sunrise to sunset daily, aligning with typical city park hours and providing ample time for visits throughout the day. This wide window accommodates early morning exercisers, midday breaks, and evening playtime before dark. It’s noted as a "fully fenced" outdoor recreation area, ensuring a secure environment once inside. Visitors should be aware of varying fence heights in certain areas, as mentioned in a review, and always keep an eye on their dog. Despite any minor variations in fencing, the park's accessible location and consistent hours make it a convenient choice for Santa Cruz dog owners seeking an off-leash play space.
Spacious Off-Leash Area: Pacheco Dog Park offers a large, fully fenced area where dogs can run freely and socialize without being on a leash. This ample space is perfect for energetic pups to burn off steam and enjoy unrestrained play.
Wood Chip Ground: The park features a wood chip surface. This type of ground cover can be softer on paws than dirt or concrete and provides good drainage, contributing to a relatively clean play environment.
Shade Trees: Natural shade trees are present within the park. These trees offer much-needed relief from the California sun, providing cool spots for dogs and their owners to rest and observe the activity.
Water Fountain: A water fountain is available for dogs, ensuring they can stay hydrated during their play sessions. This is a crucial amenity, especially on warm days, keeping pups comfortable and healthy.
Poop Bag Station / Poop Scoops: The park provides a convenient poop bag station, often including scoops, to encourage responsible pet ownership and maintain cleanliness. This makes it easy for owners to clean up after their dogs, contributing to a pleasant environment for all visitors.
Seating: Benches or seating areas are available within the park, allowing human companions to relax and watch their dogs play. These provide a comfortable spot for observation and casual conversation with other dog owners.
Generous Room to Run: A primary highlight of Pacheco Dog Park is the substantial amount of space it provides. Visitors consistently praise the "much room there is for my girls to run," making it an ideal spot for dogs that need to truly stretch their legs.
Quiet Atmosphere: The park is often described as "quiet" by visitors, particularly during certain times of the day (e.g., 10 am). This makes it suitable for dogs or owners who prefer a calmer, less chaotic environment for their off-leash playtime.
Clean and Well-Maintained: Despite its simple nature, the park is noted as being "clean." This indicates a commitment to basic upkeep, ensuring a pleasant experience for users and minimizing dust or excessive rockiness.
Essential Amenities Provided: The presence of a water fountain for dogs and a well-stocked poop bag station (with scoops) ensures that fundamental needs for both pets and owners are met, promoting responsible and comfortable visits.
Fully Fenced Area (with consideration): The park is fully fenced, which offers a secure boundary for off-leash play. While one review noted varying fence heights in a corner, the overall enclosure provides a dedicated space for dogs to play freely.
"Not Fancy but Lovely": This description perfectly captures the park's essence. It's a no-frills, practical dog park that prioritizes functionality and space, providing a genuine and enjoyable outdoor experience without unnecessary distractions.
As a public park managed by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department, Pacheco Dog Park does not offer commercial promotions, discounts, or special offers in the traditional sense. Its primary "promotion" is its consistent availability as a free and accessible public amenity for dog owners in the community. The value it provides is in offering a dedicated, well-maintained, and safe off-leash space for dogs to exercise and socialize, without any admission fees.
The ongoing maintenance of the park, including its amenities like water fountains and waste stations, is supported by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department. Any community events, such as dog-focused gatherings, responsible pet ownership workshops, or park clean-up days, would typically be organized or announced by the City's Parks and Recreation department or local community groups. For the most up-to-date information on park rules, potential closures for maintenance, or any special announcements, local residents are advised to consult the official City of Santa Cruz website for their Parks & Recreation section or contact them directly. The continuous benefit of Pacheco Dog Park is its reliable provision of a high-quality, engaging outdoor environment for dogs and their owners to enjoy in Santa Cruz.
For more information regarding Pacheco Dog Park or other parks and recreation services within Santa Cruz, you can contact the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department.
Address: Santa Cruz, CA 95065, USA (specifically at Pacheco Avenue and Prospect Heights)
Phone: (831) 420-5270 (This number is directly associated with Pacheco Dog Park inquiries via the City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation)
Email: parksandrec@santacruzca.gov (Email contact for general Parks & Recreation inquiries)
Pacheco Dog Park is an exceptionally suitable and valuable resource for local California dog owners, particularly those residing in Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas. Its suitability stems from its practical design, ample space, and commitment to essential amenities, all contributing to a fulfilling experience for both dogs and their human companions.
The park's most compelling feature for locals is the sheer amount of "room there is for my girls to run!" This generous, fully fenced area provides an invaluable space for dogs to exercise freely, allowing them to burn off energy and engage in natural behaviors that are crucial for their well-being. For owners, this means their pups can truly stretch their legs and play without feeling confined, which is especially beneficial for active breeds.
Furthermore, the presence of fundamental amenities like a water fountain and a well-stocked poop bag station (with scoops) greatly enhances the convenience of a visit. These provisions ensure that basic needs are met, making it easier for owners to maintain a clean and responsible environment for everyone. The wood chip ground and natural shade trees add to the comfort, offering pleasant surfaces for play and respite from the sun.
While one review notes a minor concern about fence height in a specific corner, the overall consensus points to a "clean" and often "quiet" park. This calm atmosphere can be particularly appealing for dogs who prefer less intense social interactions or for owners seeking a more serene outing. In essence, Pacheco Dog Park delivers on the core promise of a good dog park: a safe, spacious, and amenity-rich environment for off-leash play. For Santa Cruz residents seeking a straightforward, effective, and welcoming place for their canine companions to enjoy the outdoors, Pacheco Dog Park remains a highly recommended and cherished local asset.
Pacheco Dog Park Photos










Pacheco Dog Park Location
Santa Cruz, CA 95065, USA
Reviews
I love how much room there is for my girls to run! That being said the fencing isn't the same height around the whole park. There's one corner that is so low that my medium size dog can put her head on top and look over. It's not safe for larger breeds who can and will escape. Like I said though it's great: plenty of room to run, poop bag station/poop scoops if you don't want to bend down, and it even has a water fountain for the dogs. If they fixed the fence I would be 100% happy to come back.
Mar 11, 2024 · Alphonse WeeksQuiet (10am), clean. Only dog there but she got lots of sniffing in! Not fancy but lovely.
May 23, 2025 · Ev SharpDog approved 🐶❤. Has water, benches, and a decent size to it.
Mar 29, 2019 · matOnly been here once and with someone else’s dogs, but it was a fairly uneventful and par for the course for a dog park visit with dogs you are new to watching. People were friendly and understanding of me being a new dog sitter for the dog and made me feel more at ease when the dog got anxious.
Jul 24, 2023 · LemonVery clean. A few dogs to play with!
Nov 17, 2022 · ReneeDog Park Near Me

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