If you have never been to Shollenberger Park, you are in for an amazing treat. If you have been, you have probably become a repeat visitor. This park in the middle of the Petaluma Wetlands is for everyone: runners, walkers, bicyclers, onleash dogs, and children. And it’s conveniently located near Hwy. 101, so it’s a quick ride up for folks from Marin who want a change of scene.

Put your car in the parking lot, grab your water bottle, leashed canine friend, pick up Self-Guided Tour and Birds of Shollenberger Park pamphlets, doggie bags if you don’t have them, then walk through a stile-type gate and begin your walk on the wild side. With expansive views of the hills beyond, the sky seeming bigger than Montana’s, expect to see lots of different birds in their native habitat. As you stroll along the path (much of it paved), you might get to see a number of varieties of swans, herons, egrets, grebes, falcons, pelicans, swifts, hawks, plovers, swallows, chickadees, kingfishers, woodpeckers; the list goes on and on. Find a bench along the way to sit and wait for things to happen. You will be transported away from the trappings of civilization and totally into pure nature.

Head on around the 2-mile loop, or turn right over a bridge that spans Adobe Creek for further exploring. Back at the parking lot, there is a drinking fountain and restrooms. If you now want to let your buddy run a bit, drive or walk over to Rocky Dog Park where you will find lots of space for off-leash romping.