San Marcos is home to three dog parks located at San Elijo Park, 1105 Elfin Forest Road; Hollandia Park, 12 Mission Hills Court; and Montiel Park, 2290 Montiel Road. There is one more under construction at the future site of Sunset Park, located near La Mirada Drive and Poinsettia Avenue.
These parks provide a safe place for four-legged family members to run and play; however, dogs may only be off-leash in these designated areas. Leashes must be used when walking dogs on trails or in parks.
“Safety is our main concern,” explained Community Services Director Craig Sargent-Beach. “Dogs that run free in parks and on trails may encounter rattlesnakes, opossum, mountain lions or poison oak.”
Keeping your dog on-leash in parks and on trails also prevents disturbance of wildlife in habitat areas and limits personal liability.
Perhaps most importantly, it is the law and dog owners may be cited for not complying.