I enjoyed walking in this area. Bird watchers area. You can definitely get in several miles. Free parking read more

Nice flat park with a view of the wetlands plus wonderful green mountains in the background. Paved paths and benches overlooking the water. Admirable scene and next to roads and warehouses. Plenty of parking. It's a good walk or run here. Wear coat or layers when it's windy as it is flat so the wind is stronger on windy days. read more

I forget about this park sometimes and that it's pretty close to me. What I love- free parking, the trails are family friendly (flat) and the scenery can be very pretty. It feels like you're at a bird sanctuary- many varieties of birds and often you'll find swans in the water. There is also a small picnic area with a few tables facing the water. I saw all ages today- many kids on their bikes and people walking dogs. The only time I do not like visiting this park is on a hot day as there is no shade. read more

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Went to this park last Sunday. There are paved level trails , picnic tables, benches scattered around the trails plus flush toilets. This park is part of a large wetland preserve. Very few birds right now but it must be wonderful during bird migrations. There were a number of friendly people , bikers, dog walkers but it never felt crowded. Highly recommend. Small , no fee, parking lot read more

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Great if you're a birdwatcher, or walking your dog, but otherwise it's a flat, treeless snore, with semi-redeeming hill views in only a couple directions. Landscape is dominated by 101. Probably much nicer at sunup and sundown, to be fair. read more

Lovely park to take a nice walk on a level path with wetlands and birds to enjoy along the walk too. There is 2 mile loop trail from the parking lot and also a connecting trail from the Sheraton. Also, there is a trail from the Ellis Creek Treatment Plant Trail. In addition to a parking lot, there is a drinking fountain and restroom. read more

Shollenberger Park - Parks Near Me - Petaluma, California

Three basic route to take at this park. Really a very nice place for a hike/walk. I would highly recommend this place if you are in the area. read more

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It's nothing fancy but it works for walkers, runners, bird watchers, etc. And you can bring your dog if you choose to do so. Nice walking/running loop with plenty of off shoot paths to extend your walk/run. By that I mean you could take one of the off shoot paths from the main loop and walk to the Sheraton if you choose. There are benches along the loop so if you are tired and need to rest, or you just want to take in the view you can do so. It's pretty cool seeing the various wild life such as swans, turtles and various birds. I have only walked the main loop but that's plenty for me.....for now. There is a parking lot, though not huge, I feel it accommodates most people who come here. There is also a restroom right at the parking lot. This park is located of off North McDowell Extension in a business park but once you start to walk you feel like you're in a decent hiking area however you are walking on the backside of some businesses but it's not bad. If you want to walk and don't want to travel out of Petaluma to a big regional open space park in Sonoma & Marin Counties I'd suggest Schollenberger as it does the trick and is in our own back yard, read more

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If you LOVE birds and birding (it's a thing) then put on your shoes and get to this park. You can bike, jog or walk. Stand, sit or stare. Whatever you do just get on the path and enjoy the fresh air. Shollenberger Park is a combination of 500+ acres of protected marshland, and creek that opens to the Petaluma River. The loop is a little over 3 miles to complete. The path is not paved but solid enough for bicycles and those super fancy baby strollers parents jog with. I can not list the technical names of each bird, however, I have seen a variety of duck, swan, heron, egret and more. According to the website, Shollenberger Park is home to over 200+ species of birds. It remains one of the last wetlands of its type in the country! So make sure to get out and enjoy it (keep it safe and clean). Dogs are welcome on leash. There are trash bins along the path, as well as a donation box for poop bags at the entrance, in case you forget. If you do bring bags, I encourage you to donate a few. This is a great way of ensureing everyone does their part to keep the path clean. During the summer, small boats will move up and down the Petaluma river. Free parking is available at the entrance. The park is open sunrise to sunset. read more

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I LOVED this loop. I was there in late spring and saw so many different kinds of birds and even saw baby swans! It is a flat loop that would be easy for kids and those looking for a stroll. I read the lower scores reviews and laughed out loud. Yep it will be muddy in the rain. And yep you won't see a lot that isn't typical of wetland marshes. I will visit this park every time I'm in Petaluma- it is delightful. read more

Shollenberger Park - Parks Near Me - Petaluma, California

Do you love birds ? Are you a bird watcher ? Shollenberger Park provides a couple of miles of marshy wetlands. It's truly a bird haven. You will see photographers and the binocular crowd out there. This is a pet friendly adventure. Be sure and bring your 4 legged family as well. This is also a great place to push baby around in your stroller. It's super flat. The downfall is, there is NO SHADE. The parking situation is tight as well. It's very limited. It backs to business offices. I wouldn't park in there for the risk of being towed. The winter time is a beautiful time to come. When the distant rolling hills are green, the sky is blue with an ample amount of water in the marsh. Also not too hot The summer time is hot which is the pits because there is no shade. You can also fish in the Petaluma river from this park. The restrooms are located in the parking lot. Park is open sunrise to sunset read more

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Perfect to take a walk in the quiet noise of nature. Birds abound singing various symphonies of tunes for the day's visitors. Lizard periodically line the pathway, leisurely napping on warm rocks basking in the sun. In the far off distance muted cars hustling and bustling down 101. Dogs walking their owners with satisfied grins. "Hello! How are you? Great. Have a wonderful day," as fellow park patrons pass one another. Serene. Peaceful. A lovely place to dawdle away the hours conferring with the flowers. Anyone who comes here regularly will mention the seasons as an important dictator in the visual changes that occur, followed by a resolute of,"It is a must see! Especially after a rain!" read more

Shollenberger Park - Parks Near Me - Petaluma, California

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Not much to see except for birds on the mudflats. It is a wetland area nestled between office park, dairy plants, and the freeway, so there's no feeling the peace of being in nature away from humans. No trees or shade. There are four picnic tables and a surprisingly clean bathroom not far from the parking lot. If I worked in one of the businesses, I would come here for lunch walks all the time, but it isn't worth a big drive to visit. read more

I come here on a weekly basis since I live very close. It's a great place to walk our yellow lab. There is tons of wild life. I've seen dozens of different types of birds, lizards, and jack rabbits. You can't really beat walking right along the Petaluma River. It's especially been beautiful lately with the wetlands filled with water again. I look forward to many more years of walks and jogs here. My only complaint is I wish it were a longer loop but not much can be done about that! Great park and I highly recommend it. read more

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It's an amazing loop, that takes you this delta trail. The landscapes and endless shades of nature makes this place wonderful. Bring your best walking shoes, bike and even your dog! There are bathrooms, parking and clearly marked signs that take you around on this flat dirt road. read more

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Shollenberger is great place for a walk, run or even to do some bird watching! You might not even know this park is here because it sits right next to the industrial business part of Petaluma. There is one paved path and then a dirt path to take you around the pond full of different birds. There isn't any shade so bring those hats and sunglasses! You probably shouldn't go if it's been raining a lot because it does tend to get muddy on the trail. Other than that the loop itself is about 3 miles I think. The small parking lot is free to park in and has bathrooms and water fountains. There are a few benches along the way which can be nice if you want to rest or just enjoy the view of the river. The path itself is pretty much flat so it's great for any level of fitness. Dogs on a leash are welcome! read more

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Was a great place to do a bike ride with our 5 year old. Just long enough for him to ride on his own. And he saw a sail boat go by so he was set :). read more

Fun place to walk. The place is clean and easy to go around. It's flat and that's ok. Sometimes when the water is low is does smell pretty bad. But the paths are in a large square. If you start at the hotel and go that way out is cool. You can connect down to the water plant as well. read more

Shollenberger Park - Parks Near Me - Petaluma, California

Almost missed this park, as the signage is mot too noticeable and parking is just behind a business company's parking lot. Park itself seems smallish- lots of wildlife though, and most people here seemed to have dogs to walk, despite a nearby dog park. Didn't see too many people here when we went, though it was early afternoon on a weekday. Other reviews warn to hide valuables and lock your car, which is common sense, but if it makes you feel safer, a police cruiser was patrolling the are when we went by. read more

One word to describe this park: beautiful! I would highly recommend it when looking for a park to take a morning walk after breakfast. We also saw a lot of joggers and people walking their dogs. I got some gorgeous photos, too! read more

Shollenberger Park - Great place for a weekend stroll... - Parks Near Me - Petaluma, California

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Really don't understand the high ratings for this "park." I must have gone on a bad day or something. For one thing, there was NO water. Dried out wasteland, more like it. And I went there for birding... saw only house finches, lark sparrows, and other birds I see everywhere, including my backyard. And, yes, I am a bird nerd and know how to sit and wait and watch for them. Oh, and I saw one hawk. One. Catching, then eating, a mouse. The whole experience felt surreal... in a not-awesome way. There are mostly joggers here, and on a Saturday morning they seemed in rough shape... either barely breathing as they struggled to keep moving, or talking loudly to their companions, using trashy language about their dates gone wrong the night before. It was crazy. NOT serene or natural or any of what you'd expect from other reviewers here. Also, parents with kids in strollers who choose the dirt paths so narrow one person can barely walk it. I had to step into the foliage or god knows what in tall grass several times to let their little parades through. Also, the highway and backs of offices... how gorgeous. Is this just the only large open space in Petaluma for a "nature walk"? Take my one star with a grain of salt, because in all honesty, I think I picked a very bad day under a very ominous Moon to go here. But, I will never be back. Too much ick factor. read more

Not impressed, but I suspect it's prettier in the spring. It would be great for jogging or a place for kids to ride bikes safely, but not very scenic or diverse. I'm sure my expectations are higher than others after living in Marin for a few years with all the diverse abundant trails. Helen Putnam is still the best for Petaluma. read more

Went to this park today . After a lot of rain , this park is now filled with lush green and lot of water . A lovely place with a cool atmosphere. Before the summer arrives please do visit this beautiful greenery . And u can see a lot of birds chirping and flying . A lovely sight to end your day . read more

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Shollenberger Park is hidden away with a single entrance in the middle of an industrial park. Tucked in between businesses a tiny obscure one lane driveway with a small sign saying Shollenberger Park leads you into a small parking lot. There is no fee to enter and is a wonderful peaceful place for walking, jogging, bike riding or simply grabbing a bench and enjoying the wildlife. Numerous species of birds can be spotted year round as well as jack rabbits and other creatures. A single path forms a giant loop around a marsh water feature (tends to become rather dry in the summer) and passes along the Petaluma river. A fantastic park open to everyone. Can get a little windy and those with allergies may have some problems. read more

This place is a hidden gem. I used to come here often, when I lived right next door to the secret pathway leading to the park. Since I moved, I haven't visited, but I wish I had. The trail leading around the park and by the river is serene, and I always enjoy myself here. So much wildlife too. Last time I was here, I saw foxes!! read more

Some people walk this loop in #Petaluma for exercise and walk their dogs. Some really stop to enjoy the nature and wildlife. If you stop to look at what is really out there you will be amazed. I have seen species of birds I never seen before, turtles, snakes, several species of duck and geese. I have captured a lot of great photos of the park and the wildlife to share. See for yourself in my flickr photostream of this great park. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wdunby/sets/72157633095533344/ read more

Great birding spot for shore and field birds! Also spotted a jack rabbit here. Could use new benches though.

the address should be 1800 McDowell not 1900 look for the path with the WOODEN park sign here's the exact map from their official site http://cityofpetaluma.net/parksnrec/parks-pages/shollenberger.html read more

Shollenberger Park is a hidden gem: the entrance can easily be missed when driving down S McDowell Blvd. I've always found parking, and there is plenty of room on the paths (not overly populated). It's calm, quiet and peaceful. The path is only paved 1/4 of the way, so walking shoes would be best. Also, there are no lights, so be sure to get back before the sun goes down (which unfortunately this time of year incredibly early). Truly, I love Shollenberger Park and walk the 2 mile path at least once every couple of weeks. read more

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This park is a unique surprise, several acres of wetlands tucked in to an industrial area of Petaluma. We walked the 2-mile loop on our first visit and enjoyed it a lot. Next time we will also walk some of the other trails attached to the loop. Lots of water birds, so bring your binoculars. The entire trail is flat, no rough spots, so it's an easy hike. read more

Really nice walking trail, small parking & entrance can be a bit tricky to find. Overall, it's a nice place to get out and get some fresh air and enjoy the natural scenery. read more

This is a very nice spot to see a lot of over wintering birds. Who knew such a nice spot would be right off of Lakeville Road? I've been driving that road for years and never knew. So glad I found it! read more

I love this place and it's beauty, always a amazing place for a walk or run. If you go there in spring would see all the babies and the place is budding with life. Make sure you lock your car! I would also hide all valuables and roll windows all the way up. Cars do get broken into here so be for warned. read more

A great place to go for a lunch time walk. Especially if you work in the area. Sometimes the bird poo is a little strong on the nose, but it is still a lovely place to take in nature and get in a good walk! *** 3 Stars! read more

On a rather rainy day last Spring, I went on a walk with family at Schollenberger park. With the mist coming down and the skies a bit gray, it made the pathways that wind around the marshy area very comfortable to walk. Depending on your mood, you could choose to walk less than or more than a mile. The entrance is a bit hard to find amongst the business park that surrounds it but once you discover it it is quite a serene place to take a walk or run. The reason why I give this park three stars is that there is little opportunity for shade when the sun is not blocked by rain, mist, fog, or clouds. I can imagine you would need a lot of sunscreen to keep protected during sunny days. There are also not many places to sit along the path and bathrooms are sparse. Other than that, this place offers an easy way to exercise or enjoy some time outdoors with a friend and conversation. read more

Love this loop with the dog! It's a beautiful walk for 2 miles or make it 4 if ur in the mood. Dog loves the birds and sniffing all along the trail. Highly recommended. read more

Reading the other reviews, hard to find is the truth..but what a gem and worth the search. I dropped my husband and daughter off for a day of fishing in Sausalito so decided to go exploring in the area on my own. I had always wanted to visit "Historic Petaluma". My day started with breakfast (around 6:00 am) at a small diner on the edge of town, where the waitress hugged all the regulars. I felt a bit left out ,but breakfast was good!! :-)) So what to do until the shops starting opening?? I found Shollenberger on the map and decided to go check it out. It was hard to find and I landed up parking at a hotel and entering through a path off the parking lot. There were people fishing along the creek and you walk until you enter the marsh area. So many varieties of birds it was wonderful. There were a lot of signs explaining the species and the area. Great for dogs but they must be on leash. There was a separate dog park and I wish my Jasmine was with me. I spent a few hours out here walking and bird watching. It was so peaceful and it's all flat, so a very easy walk. I couldn't have found a better place to start my explorations of Petaluma. read more

Shollenberger is a prime escape for many of us who seek recreation or meditation. On any given day, in any weather, rain or shine, I've encountered fathers and sons running the trails together, families with children riding their bikes, mothers w/their young in strollers, employees taking a brisk walk during their lunch break, seniors on benches taking the air. . . Meanwhile, red-shouldered black birds serenade us while swans dine nearby. I'm a Petaluman who can't imagine losing our precious park and wild life. Please visit Save Shollenberger Park and join us in our Cause to save our sanctuary. read more

We love this park. :) It is right next to the Petaluma river, and there are always people here. The small parking lot can fill up quickly. There are many different trails which keeps the visits here interesting. Loads of wild life here so you have to be mindful on the trails (snakes, birds, rabbits, etc.). People also bring their dogs here but leashes are required. You can also bike ride on the trails. This is really a special place in Petaluma. read more

Great park when the pond is full! Great birding from November to June or a bit longer, depending on the pond size. No shade...but lovely views! Links to a trail to the water treatment plant nearby, giving you several options of walk lengths. Flat and easy, plenty of benches!! read more