Loyal Duke's Dog Park

Getting to the Park

Downtown (by foot)

Take the Monarch Spur trail west 1.2 miles to the park. An entrance to the park exists off the trail on the north east end of the dog area.

By Car

The park is located in the center of Salida, as part of the Ben Oswald Athletic Fields. Parking is available along the west end of the lot, and please remember to keep your dog leashed until you enter through the park gates.

Using a dog park

If you're not a regular dog parker, and especially if your dog isn't a regular dog parker, take your time to familiarize yourself with the setup. Dogs get their own anxieties, rational or not, and allowing them to come to terms with a new situation will only ensure that both of you enjoy coming to the park in the future. Observe your dog, if they are nervous, make sure you come at a less crowded time or utilize the small dog park to the south west end if empty.

Canine Body Language

Your dog's body language will tell you quite a bit about how they are feeling. Look at their posture, tail, ears and facial expressions for clues. Yawning and body shakes are often signs of anxiety. If you can't identify a source of excess happy energy that they are getting rid of, it usually means you should listen closer to what they are trying to tell you.

Be their best friend

Be prepared to manage the situation and the environment to keep them in a relaxed and playful mood. Hackles raised ears up, tail tucked between legs all indicate that your pup needs you. Reassure, refocus or remove them from the problem at hand.

Park Rules

Dogs must be under control
Users must have a leash for each dog
Dogs must be on a leash until inside dog park
No dogs in heat permitted inside park
Poop must be picked up immediately
Users of the park do so at their own and assume all liability
Dogs must be removed at first sign of aggression
Dogs must be up-to-date on vaccines
Children must be supervised/accompanied by an adult (16 or older) at all times
No dogs under the age of four months (unless a designated puppy activity is posted)

Loyal Duke - Courtesy of the Salida Regional Library

The Legend of Duke

10/31/1902 - The old landmark at the Monte Cristo hotel has passed away. Few there are in Salida or among the many thousands of guests at the Monte Cristo during the past twelve years who will not remember the splendid dog “Duke” as he was formerly called and regret to learn that he is no more. Few there are among us in the higher walks of life who have as many warm, true friends as this faithful old dog. He was possessed of qualities of heart and mind, of intelligence and affection which were almost human and which endeared him to all who came in contact with him. Mr. Caitlin had him wrapped in a sheet and placed in a box and buried on the summit of “Little Tenderfoot Hill.” 4/28/1903 - The name of the small hill opposite the Monte Christo hotel was recently changed from “Little Tenderfoot Hill” to “Duke’s Hill” in honor of the splendid old dog. “Duke,” who for so many years was a conspicuous figure upon the platform of the Monte Cristo hotel, greeting strangers and friends alike as they came and went, and whose burial place and tomb, upon the summit of the hill, is not only an object of interest to all who knew him but is daily visited by both our townspeople and strangers in numbers that would surprise those not in the position to know.

The Salida Mail

Report abuse