You are right, according to my GPS software, Hap Magee is about five miles further when coming from Santa Rosa. However, the same GPS says that Hap Magee is actually closer (time) by nearly a minute. Also, the parking at Hap Magee is right next to the Canine Corral, but since Chloe and I do at least 4.5 miles every day, the walk would not be a problem for her. Actually, last week we did 10.5 miles around Lake Chabot.

Enjoy your gathering!

In spite of the fact that I had not been planning on attending, Chloe and I did some homework on the two parks today. It was an excellent weather day, with incredible visibility. Also, she was able to take a fair walk in some new parks and is always ready for a ride. I am particularly amazed at her love for rides when one realizes just how a few of those ride changed everything about her world in September. I would have expected some apprehension about entering a car and exactly what that would mean to her mental state. However, I am digressing. So, here is the report card.

I wish that there was a clear cut winner regarding these two nice dog parks, but unfortunately each has positives compared to the other. The real choice between the two should lie in the objectives of the attendees.

Location: If one is coming from the 580/680 interchange then Hap Magee is 12.8 miles (15:08 minutes) closer. From the 24/680 interchange, Hap Magee is again closer by 1.7 miles (6:10 minutes). However, if one is coming from Santa Rosa or across the 680 bridge at the Carquinez Straight, then Newell is closer by 5.2 miles but actually 0:33 minutes longer since one has to go through more town traffic. While Chloe and I walked about Newell Park, we saw incredible views of Mt Diablo and Morgan Territory to the SSE and to the Carquinez Straight to the NNW. There is also a pond with geese and a short walking trail. Hap Magee has a historic building, excellent picnic facilities with shade, and a great child playground with water features. Both have potties, but the ones at Hap Magee are of higher quality and closer to the “Canine Corral.”

Parking: The two parks have about the same number of parking spots. At Hap Magee, half of the parking is located just steps from the “Canine Corral” and the rest is near the entrance to the park. At Newell, the parking is all located on Turtle Creek Road near the intersection of Ayers Road. This places the parking at least 400 yds from the “Paw Patch Dog Park” at the Newell park.

Dog Park Facilities: Each of the two parks has separate run facilities for smaller dogs. The main runs for each facility are completely fenced. However, the main run at Newell is much larger (33% to 50% larger), has much better fencing (chain link to a concrete curb with no real clearance for paws to get caught), and is primarily grass (Hap Magee is mostly dirt and less than half has very sparse grass.)

People Facilities: I have mentioned the differences in the people facilities in the location discussion above.

So now it is up to the attendees to determine which of the parks best fit their desires with respect to the kind of gathering each would like. I hope that this helps and that there can be a consensus soon – by THIS weekend.

Spirit Cherry's Dad

Directions to Hap McGee Ranch Park

Traveling North on I-680:
Exit right onto ramp onto El Cerro Blvd
Turn left onto El Cerro Blvd and continue for 0.2 mi
Turn right onto La Gonda Way and continue for 1.1 mi
Hap Magee Ranch Park is on left just before the I-680 underpass

Traveling South on I-680:
Exit right onto ramp onto El Pintado Rd
Turn right onto El Pintado Rd for 93 ft
Turn right onto La Gonda Way and continue for 0.5 mi
Hap Magee Ranch Park is on left just before the I-680 underpass

Continue through the parking area until you reach the far parking circle. Entrance to the Canine Corral is next to the far parking circle while the separate smaller dog enclosure is a few steps beyond. Also, there is an excellent shaded picnic area adjacent to the same parking circle. Finally, it appears that there is a consensus for 11:00AM start.

Spirit Cherry's Dad

     I don't know why I keep reading these Nor Cal threads when we can't attend - it drives me crazy because we'd love to come up and see all of you again.  Unfortunately, we have a bunch of stuff going on, and there's no chance of it the rest of the year.  We're tenatively planning another Carmel/Mill Valley trip in February.  We'll keep you posted.  Hope you all have a good time until then.

So, is Bernie calming down any?  You haven't posted any pictures lately.  It will be great to see you again--looking forward to February!

Mary