Marin Humane Society Dog Parks
The current status of the Marin Humane Society dog parks is:
Small Dog Park is OPEN.
Large Dog Park is OPEN.
Since 2007, hundreds of dogs and their human friends have been introduced, fallen in love, romped, ran, fetched, trained, recreated, and relaxed in the Marin Humane Society’s two dog parks. The parks are located at MHS's campus at 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. in Novato.
Each day, our parks provide a place for MHS staff and volunteers to exercise and train dogs awaiting adoption and a place for these animals to meet and greet their potential new families. We also use the parks for MHS special events, training classes, and dog-behavior evaluations.
Our parks are open for public use as well, and we welcome you and your well-behaved canine companions to enjoy our parks during specified public-use hours, subject to the Dog-Park Rules below.
Public Use Hours
Monday-Thursday
Sunrise to 8:30 AM and 4 PM to Sunset
Friday
Closed for maintenance in the morning
Open 4 PM to Sunset
Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays
Sunrise to 8:30 AM and 3 PM to Sunset
Please strictly respect these hours. During all other times, the parks are reserved for
Marin Humane Society use.
***Dog Park hours will remain as regularly scheduled during Holidays.***
Please note that we will occasionally reserve the dog parks during public hours for special events or maintenance.
Wet weather closures
To preserve the integrity of the turf, we have to close the parks during inclement weather. Typically we close the parks during and a few days following rains. Please call 415.506.6250 for up-to-date information regarding park closures.
Reserving the Dog Park for Private Use
You may reserve the small or large dog park for private use in half-hour increments once a week by contacting the MHS Community Services department at 415-506-6250.
Reservations are available between 12 and 2pm daily. Space may be reserved up to six months in advance. Rental increments of over two hours or more frequently than once-a-week require approval of the MHS Community Services department.
The fee for a half-hour session is $20. Rental fees double if seven or more dogs will use the park during the rental.
Marin Humane Society volunteers may reserve the parks for their personal use for $10 per half-hour session. Rental fees double if seven or more dogs will use the park during the rental.
Senior Citizens age 62 and older, disabled individuals, and MHS Golden Paw Donors (no dog limit) may reserve the parks for their private use at no cost. Seniors and disabled individuals may reserve the park for use by seven or more dogs at the rate of $10 per half-hour.
No discounts are available for use of the dog parks for commercial purposes.
Please contact the MHS Community Services department if you would like to reserve the dog parks for use by twenty or more dogs.
Dog Parks and Dog Behavior
If you use our, or any other, dog parks, our Behavior & Training Department recommends the following handouts:
Dog Parks - the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Can my dog play with yours?
Other Training Handouts
Our Behavior & Training Department is available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about your dog’s behavior.
Support the Dog Parks!
Your support is crucial to our ongoing ability to provide these wonderful parks for use by our adoption animals and the public. Please contact Development to find out about the various ways you can contribute, or check out our opportunities online.
Dog Park Rules
The Marin Humane Society does not staff the dog parks during public-use hours. Use of the Dog Parks is at your own risk.
GUARDIANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THEIR DOGS AT ALL TIMES
For emergencies, please call 911 or the Marin Humane Society at (415) 883-4621.
The Large Dog Park is for dogs over 25 pounds and smaller dogs only if appropriate.
The Small Dog Park is for dogs 25 pounds and under or physically challenged older dogs.
Dogs must be healthy, parasite-free, and currently vaccinated against distemper, parvo, and rabies.
Dogs must wear a valid license and owner-identification (collar tag or microchip) when using the parks.
Dogs must be spayed or neutered.
Dogs under four months of age are prohibited.
No more than two dogs per adult in the parks at any time.
Dogs may not be left unattended in parked vehicles anywhere on our campus at any time.
Dogs may not be left tied outside the dog parks or anywhere on our campus at any time.
Dogs must be leashed prior to entering and upon leaving the enclosed park areas.
Aggression, bullying, and rough play are prohibited.
Dogs displaying inappropriate or dangerous behavior towards people or dogs must be leashed and removed from the parks immediately by their guardians.
The Marin Humane Society is not responsible for monitoring, assessing, or controlling dog behavior in the dog parks.
Non-emergency complaints regarding inappropriate behavior in the parks may be made to our Community Services desk at (415) 506-6250. The Marin Humane Society reserves the right to respond to complaints about individuals or dogs with appropriate action, including revoking dog-park privileges and/or referring complaints to Animal Services Officers.
Any bite of a person or dog must be immediately reported to the Marin Humane Society at (415) 883-4621.
Cooperation between handlers is expected and required.
Please honor other patrons’ requests regarding their dogs.
Guardians must clean up after their dogs.
No Digging.
Children are not allowed in the enclosed areas unless accompanied by an adult. Small children should not be brought into the dog parks, as they are at risk of inadvertent harm from playing dogs. While in the dog park, children should not scream, chase, or run around the parks.
Children may not be left unattended in the dog parks at any time.
No smoking or alcohol is permitted in the dog parks or anywhere on the MHS Campus.
Dog guardians must have a leash in hand at all times, so that they may quickly remove a dog from the park for any inappropriate behavior.
All head harnesses and muzzles should be removed before entering a dog park. Only flat collars or harnesses may be worn in the parks. Choke, prong, and pinch collars may not be worn in the parks.
Guardians must be in the park, within view of, and able to maintain voice control over their dogs at all times.
Park gates must be kept closed except when entering or exiting.
Excessive barking is prohibited.
Guardians may bring small, bite-sized treats for their dogs into the dog parks. Long-lasting treats, such as rawhide chews, pig’s ears, and bones are prohibited.
The dog parks may not be used for any business or commercial use without the written consent of the Marin Humane Society.
To help keep the dog parks clean, please do not groom or wash animals at the park.
No glass containers allowed in the dog parks.
No littering. Place all trash in receptacles.
No strollers, carriages, bicycles, or children’s toys allowed in the dog parks.
No skateboarding, bicycle riding, or rollerblading allowed in the parks or plaza.
No climbing on or over the fences.
Shoes and shirts are required at all times.
No other animals except dogs are allowed in the park areas.
If you have any questions regarding our dog parks, please contact the MHS Community Services desk at 415.506.6250.
