Santa Rosa Water Bark for dogs opens Saturday

Dog lovers and their pets have the next four weekends to enjoy the refreshing fun at Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa.

The popular Water Bark is back, allowing dogs to run and splash without their leashes in the park’s swimming lagoon Saturdays and Sundays through September, except Sept. 15.

The annual event drew about 3,500 dogs during seven days in September 2017, raising nearly $25,000 for the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation plus about $5,500 in sponsorships, Executive Director Melissa Kelley said.

Fencing erected around the lagoon for the event prevents rogue pups from running away. And the water is filtered, slightly chlorinated, tested weekly and free of blue-green algae, so it’s safe for Rover, the parks foundation said.

Daily entry is $5 per dog for Regional Parks members and $7 per dog for nonmembers and can be paid in advance at ?2018waterbark.brownpaper tickets.com.

Like last year, those who plan to take their dogs multiple times can buy a ?$30 season pass for the entire month. Parking for nonmembers is $7.

Dog owners need to fill out a waiver and can do so in advance online at sonomacountyparks?foundation.org/2018-spring-lake-water-bark/.

The Water Bark is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 8, 9, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30.

The first 300 dogs who arrive at Saturday’s kickoff will get free treats and tennis balls, organizers said. Stanley Steemer, a new sponsor, also is offering ?100 “rally towels” for use on the dogs after their swim.

Sponsors include Paradise Pet Resorts, AcCounting OnComputers, Green Valley Consulting Engineers, Mary’s Pizza Shack, and The Wolf and KZST radio stations.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at 707-521-5249 or mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MaryCallahanB.