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TUCSON DOG WALKS
This is a page that appeared in installments on my blog January 8-10, 2008.
About half the time I go for a ramble with a dog, I choose one of two informal places not listed in city references for dog walks. Although you will see folks with dogs off-leash, please be aware that these are NOT officially designated off-leash areas, and that you can receive a hefty fine if your dog is found running loose. These are very nice, natural, multipurpose areas owned by the city which are in flood plains, and so they are largely undeveloped. In addition to dog owners you will meet joggers, horseback riders, cyclists, kids with kites and walkers. There are no facilities of any kind, so be sure to use the restroom before you go, take some water for you and your friend, and poop bags too.
The first place is part of the very long paved trail system that runs along the Rillito River. It is located on the west side of Craycroft, immediately (and I do mean immediately) north of where Craycroft crosses the (usually dry) river. There is no sign, and the parking lot is located below eye level, so it is easy to miss if you do not know it is there. The parking lot has just recently been truly paved and redone, so now pretty much any car can get in -- before, it was helpful to have 4-wheel drive getting out on occasion. The lot is next to a private residence that I understand has been converted into a meeting hall for a police auxilary organization, which is not a part of the park. There is a nice, wide, paved path suitable for bikes, strollers and wheelchairs that goes for forever and ever along the river, or you can walk down the incline and go explore the area in the flood plain on foot. Many of the folks you will see here are regulars who make this a part of their daily routine, and there is a little community of folks who know one another not by first and last name, but by their dogs. This is a nice place for bird watching, as there is often a pool of water here and there. I often see coyotes here at dusk, which is another great reason to keep Fido leashed. Be aware that in summer there can be snakes in the brushy, rocky areas.
The second dog walk area is also along the Rillito. It does not have any paved areas or dedicated parking lot, and is strictly for the nimble-footed. It is accessed by driving north on Columbus from Fort Lowell, about a quarter mile. Columbus dead ends to the right of a relatively new development (this used to be Christopher City, where the U of A housed grad and married students, now just a generic private subdivision). Park your car on the right-hand side of Columbus; be aware that there is still some construction traffic going in and out of the subdivision. You will see a homemade memorial at the end of the street for a motorcyclist who hit the dead end barrier one dark night (I heard alcohol was involved. I do not say this to sadden anyone, but to make it clear that this is not a hazardous area in which to drive). The city owns the land from here to the other side of the river. There is a big sinkhole, clearly marked off, about 300 feet from the left of where the cars are parked, keep your youngsters away. I often see rabbits in this area, and it is brushier than the first area.
The Udall Park loop walk is actually in an area adjacent to a fenced off-leash dog park. This is a particulary good area for women to walk their dogs at night in safety, as there are loads of people using this area and you can drive right up to it. The address is 7290 East Tanque Verde Road. When you pull into the driveway, take the first left, and then drive into the long, long parking lot next to the paved walking path. There is almost always a ball game or other event going on, and there are also the regular walkers. This loop is used more by walkers, joggers and skaters than dog walkers, and it is important to keep your dog leashed and remember not everyone is comfortable with dogs. There are water fountains along the path. There is a public restroom, but I cannot recommend its cleanliness. You must pay to use the facilities in the main building. There are no poop bag dispensers in this area, so take some with you (plenty of trash cans, though).
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