GAR Park - Turlock, CA
GAR Park is a quiet, historic green space located at 600 E Marshall St in Turlock, California, adjacent to Fire Station #32. Known as the oldest park in Turlock, this small strip of grass and lovely old trees serves as a peaceful retreat for locals and their pets. While it lacks the larger features of some dog parks, GAR Park provides abundant shade and several picnic tables—making it an inviting spot for dog owners looking for a quiet, dog-friendly park to relax or have lunch.
This Turlock park is especially well-suited to those seeking solitude or a tranquil atmosphere rather than play equipment or expansive dog amenities. There’s no fenced or off-leash area, but leashed dogs are welcome, and the calm setting under the trees is ideal for a gentle walk with your pet. The park’s proximity to downtown Turlock and its historical significance add a unique local touch that distinguishes it from other parks in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? No, dogs must remain on-leash at all times at GAR Park.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? No, GAR Park does not have a fenced dog run or separate areas for different dog sizes.
- What are the park’s leash requirements? Dogs must be kept on a leash while in the park.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, GAR Park features plenty of mature trees providing shade, great for relaxing with your dog during warm Turlock days.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are picnic tables and some seating spots under the trees.
- Are restrooms available for owners? No, there are no restroom facilities at this park.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? No, GAR Park does not offer playground equipment or designated play areas for children.
Reviews
As parks go it just ok. Good park for the older folks but little to play on for the young ones. It’s quite and that’s what I like. Peace and quite. And where are you going to get that except at home. Well I hope you can get that at home. Oh well, see you.
During a hot summer days walk I found myself returning back home the shade that GAR park provided looked like a great place to take a break in so I sat there drinking my ice Gatorade after 20 minutes I ended up knocking out the rest of the way home 🙂👍 p.s Gar park is a little green spot infront of a fire station no restrooms are available nor play ground it does have a picnic table so you could eat lunch with someone or by yourself I would say as long as you keep your dog on the leash and pick up after him/her the fire house is right there Gar park is like their front yard so youll might skip this one if your looking for a fun park Gar park is for couples having lunch or someone who is needing peace a quite to finish some work on a laptop 💻
Small, quiet park next to fire station. Lovely old trees to sit under. Can be a bit noisy with traffic and fire station. Does not have any playground equipment for children. Usually very few people at this small park, but a wonderful place for solitude.
You can barely consider this a park. It’s a small strip of grassy land with a couple of picnic tables and trees. Definitely not somewhere the kiddos probably want to go……well maybe. I say that because directly behind it is fire station #32. So when they are out washing the trucks the kids might be interested ( I know I am 🤤) Otherwise it’s not really kid friendly, no playground, not much space, it’s more the kind of place you might go to eat lunch as your working too, or if you want to meet someone for lunch. It’s a nice little spot but barely qualifies as a park in my opinion.
G.A.R. stands for Grand Army of the Republic. It is the oldest park in Turlock and is a memorial to the Veterans of the Civil War and the original name was Veterans Plaza. It is located on land that was donated by then Mayor Horace Crane in 1913 and was dedicated in October of 1914. This information and historical photos came from the Winter 2015 edition of the Turlock Historical Society bulletin, the Turlock Pioneer.