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{{Short description|Park for dogs}}
{{for|the movie|Dog Park (film)}}
[[File:Tompkins Square Big Dog Run.JPG|thumb|The recently renovated [[Tompkins Square Park]] dog run was the first in New York City, and it was named one of the top five dog parks in the United States by ''[[Dog Fancy (magazine)|Dog Fancy]]'' magazine.]]
[[File:Dog park.theora.ogv|right|thumb|Dogs playing in Milwaukee Area Dog Parks]]
[[File:Off-Leach Dog Park Renovations - 52938807850.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of a dog park in Greenville, North Carolina]]
A '''dog park''' is a park for [[dog]]s to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners.
==Description==
Dog parks have varying features, although they typically offer a {{convert|4|to|6|ft|adj=on}} fence, separate double-gated entry and exit points, adequate drainage, benches for humans, shade for hot days, parking close to the site, water, [[pooper-scooper]] to pick up and dispose of [[Feces|animal waste]] in covered trash cans, and regular [[Maintenance, repair and operations|maintenance]] and cleaning of the grounds. However, it is a norm to pick up after one's own dog. Dog parks may also offer wheel-chair access, a pond for swimming and a separate enclosure for small dogs.
Some dog parks have separate play spaces for large and small dogs. Others have one large area for dogs of all sizes. There is debate about this issue, as some argue that dogs should be segregated by size,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/18666824.html |title=Size Matters at the Dog Park |publisher=Startribune.com |date=2008-05-07 |access-date=2012-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404114159/http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/18666824.html |archive-date=2012-04-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> while others feel that dogs of all sizes can and should socialize together.
==History==
[[File:Ohlone Dog Park Historical Plaque in Berkeley California.jpg|thumb|Historical plaque for Ohlone Dog Park in Berkeley, California]]
In 1979, Ohlone Dog Park, part of [[Ohlone Park]] in [[Berkeley, California]] opened. It is widely recognized as the world's first dog park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Berkeley Historical Plaque Project – Ohlone Dog Park, in  |url=https://berkeleyplaques.org/plaque/ohlone-dog-park/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=berkeleyplaques.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lowrey |first=Sassafras |date=2020-02-07 |title=The Dog Park Is Bad, Actually |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/smarter-living/the-dog-park-is-bad-actually.html |access-date=2023-01-27 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Smithsonian |title=How Dog Parks Took Over the Urban Landscape |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-dog-parks-took-over-urban-landscape-180973902/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref> Similar to other parks in Berkeley at the time (such as [[People's Park (Berkeley)|People's Park]]), it was a community project on public land that was not officially sanctioned.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-dog-parks-took-over-urban-landscape-180973902/ | title=How Dog Parks Took over the Urban Landscape }}</ref> However, it was officially sanctioned by the City of Berkeley government in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrea Merrill |date=2022-02-09 |title=Dog Parks 101: The History, Rules, and Etiquette Behind the Dedicated Spaces for Man's Best Friend |url=https://animalsofpnw.com/2022/02/09/dog-parks-101-the-history-rules-and-etiquette-behind-the-dedicated-spaces-for-mans-best-friend/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Animals of the Pacific Northwest |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Berkeley Historical Plaque Project – Ohlone Dog Park |url=https://berkeleyplaques.org/plaque/ohlone-dog-park/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=berkeleyplaques.org}}</ref>
Dog parks began as a reaction to decreased public space, urban development, and [[Leash#Leash laws in the United States|leash laws]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrea Merrill |date=2022-02-09 |title=Dog Parks 101: The History, Rules, and Etiquette Behind the Dedicated Spaces for Man's Best Friend |url=https://animalsofpnw.com/2022/02/09/dog-parks-101-the-history-rules-and-etiquette-behind-the-dedicated-spaces-for-mans-best-friend/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Animals of the Pacific Northwest |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Smithsonian |title=How Dog Parks Took Over the Urban Landscape |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-dog-parks-took-over-urban-landscape-180973902/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref>
New establishment of dog parks in urban and suburban areas has seen significant increase since the 2000s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lowrey |first=Sassafras |date=2020-02-07 |title=The Dog Park Is Bad, Actually |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/smarter-living/the-dog-park-is-bad-actually.html |access-date=2023-01-27 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
==Instant dog parks==
[[File:Josie and Jackson the poodles at the dog park (Oklahoma City, 2004).jpg|thumb|Standard poodles at a water hydrant in a dog park]]
Communities re-purpose pools, ice rinks, hockey rinks<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fbiw.org/Archive/dogpark.htm |title=New Dog Park Possibilities Proposed |publisher=Fbiw.org |access-date=2012-05-08}}</ref><ref>[http://www.edenprairie.org/vcurrent/live/article.asp?r=2236 City of Eden Prairie Dog Parks] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022050842/http://www.edenprairie.org/vcurrent/live/article.asp?r=2236 |date=October 22, 2010 }}</ref> and tennis courts in the off season as makeshift dog parks as an inexpensive, practical, and quick way to solve a problem. Municipalities allow zoning variance and/or tax incentive, and liability waiver for these.<ref name="Top 10 dog park etiquette rules">[http://pettium.com/top-10-dog-park-etiquette-rules Top 10 dog park etiquette rules] Retrieved 1-15-2017</ref>
==Dog park growth==
Dog parks are the fastest-growing segment of city parks. There were 569 off-leash dog parks in the 100 largest U.S. cities in 2010, a 34 percent jump in 5 years, while overall parks increased only 3 percent. [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]] has the highest per capita in the US with 5.7 dog parks for every 100,000 residents. [[Calgary, AB]] has the highest per capita in North America, with 15.9 dog parks for every 100,000 residents. There are now more American households with dogs than with kids of 43 million and 38 million respectively. "It's a playground for people without kids."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-07/dog-parks/51715340/1?csp=34news |title=Fastest-growing urban parks are for the dogs |access-date=December 8, 2011 | work=USA Today |date=2011-12-07}}</ref>
==Children in dog parks==
In [[Houston, Texas]], some dog parks allow children inside if they are properly chaperoned by an adult, while others exclude children.<ref name="houstondogpark1">{{Citation |url= http://www.houstondogpark.org/awareness.htm |title=The Houston Dog Park Association's Dog Park User Guide and Tips |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325014318/http://www.houstondogpark.org/awareness.htm |archive-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> The Houston Dog Park Association, a non-governmental club, said that adults should be cautious about bringing children inside a dog park and be aware that it is hard to keep a careful eye on both the dog and a child.<ref name="houstondogpark1"/>
==Public dog parks==
[[File:Limminranta Dog Park Oulu 20150420.JPG|thumb|The Limminranta Dog Park in [[Hollihaka]], [[Oulu]], [[Finland]]]]
A public dog park is typically a fenced outdoor area where people and their dogs can play together. Similarly, a dog run is a smaller fenced area, created for the same use, that is often located within an existing park. Public dog parks are most commonly operated by your city or county's parks department and are frequently part of a park. As the names imply, these places offer dogs off-leash play areas where their owners can enjoy a park-like setting and the chance to socialize with other canines and their owners. Public dog parks are being established all over the country and offer a wealth of benefits to dogs, dog owners and the community as a whole. Unless they are well-lit, most public dog parks are open to the public from dawn until dusk. Some public dog parks have vaccination requirements but are not typically staffed or enforced unless there is some kind of incident which is reported to animal control.
==Private dog parks==
A private dog park is an indoor or fenced outdoor area where people and their dogs can play together. Private dog parks are most commonly membership based and run as a for-profit business. Private dog parks can also be run as part of an apartment complex or community center. Some private dog parks combine other businesses such as retail areas, boarding, dog training, daycare and grooming services. When private dog parks are staffed, they commonly inspect dogs for lice and oral papillomas upon entry and supervise play.  Toys and common play areas of private dog parks are commonly sanitized on a daily basis to ensure cleanliness and to prevent the spread of bacteria and diseases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://barxparx.com/what-is-a-dog-park/ |title=What is a dog park? |date=August 2020 |publisher=barxparx.com |access-date=2020-08-01}}</ref>
==Benefits of off-leash dog parks==
[[File:Tel Aviv dog parkA.jpg|thumb|A [[Great Dane]] lounges on a [[picnic table]] in [[Meir Park, Tel Aviv]].]]
Off-leash dog areas, or dog parks, provide a community setting in which people can gather and socialize<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/dog-parks |title= Dog Parks |publisher= ASPCA |access-date= 2013-06-10}}</ref> and where they can observe the interaction of groups of dogs at play. Dog parks allow owners and their dogs to spend time together and offer dogs a space for play and companionship with others.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bestfriends.org/archives/forums/090604dogparks.html |title= Creating a Dog Park for Your Community |publisher= Bestfriends.org |date= 2004-09-06 |access-date= 2012-05-08}}</ref> Leashes can cause dogs (which are [[territorial animal]]s) to become territorial.<ref name="canineuniversity1">{{cite web|url= http://www.canineuniversity.com/articles/behavior/behave_10.html |title= Avoiding Onleash Dog Aggression |publisher= Canineuniversity.com |access-date= 2012-05-08}}</ref> Roaming free is beneficial for dogs.[[File:Greyhound in a kiddie pool at a dog park.jpg|thumb|Greyhound in a kiddie pool at a dog park.]]
Organizations like the [[ASPCA]] regard dog parks as beneficial to dogs and to dog owners.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.aspca.org/about-us/policy-positions/dog-parks.html |title= ASPCA Position About Dog Parks |publisher= Aspca.org |access-date= 2012-05-08}}</ref> According to Dan Emerson of DogChannel.com, proponents of dog parks cite the following benefits: "They promote responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws; give dogs a place to exercise safely, thus reducing barking and other problem behaviors; provide seniors and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions; and provide an area for community-building socializing."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dogchannel.com/media/dog-magazines/dogfancy/start-a-dog-park.aspx.pdf |title= How to Start a Dog Park |access-date= 2012-05-08}}</ref> Dog-park regulations vary from park to park; some are quite extensive and comprehensive.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://nycdog.org/NYCdogFreeserver/DLdocs/Poster_Apr06.pdf |title= The New York Council of Dog Owner Groups}}</ref>
Studies have shown that people find it easier to talk to each other with dogs as the initial focus, breaking down the usual social barriers that make people perceive others as strangers.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.petplace.com/dogs/studies-show-walking-the-dog-helps-people-meet-people/page1.aspx |title= Studies Show Walking the Dog Helps Meet People |publisher= Petplace.com |access-date= 2012-05-08}}</ref><ref>[http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/54671 Therapeutic Aspects of the Human-Companion Animal Interaction, Sandra B. Barker, Ph.D.] Retrieved 3-18-2009</ref> Some dog-owners are unable to properly exercise their dogs and could benefit from taking their dogs to a dog park.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lowgapdogpark.org/ |title= What Are the Community Benefits? |publisher= Lowgapdogpark.org |access-date= 2012-05-08}}</ref>
Additional benefits of a dog park to the community include promoting responsible dog-ownership<ref>{{cite web|title= Dog Parks|url= https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/dog-parks|access-date= 26 May 2015}}</ref> as well as accommodating dogs and their owners in a public open space, which has been shown to lead dog owners to higher levels of compliance with relevant laws.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.sequimdogparks.org/benefits.php |title= Why Go to a Dog Park? |publisher= Sequimdogparks.org |date= 2010-10-07 |access-date= 2012-05-08}}</ref>
[[File:CoronadoDogBeach.jpg|thumb|Dog beach at [[Coronado, California]].]]
The benefits of exercise for dogs are well documented,<ref>{{cite web|author= Sally Elliott |url= http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/lifestyles/pets/article/exercise_an_important_routine_for_pets_and_their_humans/14377/ |title= Exercise an important routine for pets and their humans |publisher= Newsadvance.com |access-date= 2012-05-08}}</ref> although dogs can learn and reinforce bad behaviors if owners are not vigilant or careful.<ref name="Top 10 dog park etiquette rules"/>
==Limitations of off-leash dog parks==
According to advice from experts such as [[Cesar Millan]], dog parks are not able to substitute the act of walking dogs daily.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Tips For Walking in The Park|url=http://thedogbus.co.uk/tips-for-walking-in-the-park-manchester-dog-walkers|work=The Dog Bus|access-date=2015-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cesar Millan, p. 15|url=http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1017&context=mes_capstones|access-date=2012-05-08}}</ref> It has also been recommended that dog owners walk dogs for 35 minutes, before placing them inside a dog enclosure, in order to adjust dogs to the urban environment.<ref name=":0" /> Dogs that are highly socialized and exercised are healthier, happier, and less aggressive in behavior. They are less likely to bark or be destructive or aggressive if they are able to expend pent-up energy during regular play or exercise.<ref>
{{cite web|title=Why It's Important for Dogs to Play|url=http://www.petplace.com/dogs/why-it-s-important-for-dogs-to-play/page1.aspx|publisher=Petplace.com|access-date=2012-05-08}}</ref>
It has also been noted that establishing a dog park may create contention within a community when residents worry about noise, smell, and traffic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Neighbors Oppose Proposed Dog Park|url=http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/08/20/news/doc48ac58f79dffd635642707.txt|date=2008-08-20|publisher=Theworldlink.com|access-date=2012-05-08}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[Dog Land (app)]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category|Dog parks}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090822072402/http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/58/Dog-Parks-.aspx   Dog Parks (ASPCA)]
* [http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1017&context=mes_capstones Dog Parks Benefits and Liabilities, Laurel Allen, University of Pennsylvania]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081203141524/http://www.somdog.org/join_us/park_neighborhoods/nunziato/extras/Kochan_2008_June.pdf The Evolution of Dog Parks]
* [http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/281.php The Effect of Pet Ownership on Overall health] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720000400/http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/281.php |date=2011-07-20 }}
* [https://www.dogparksnearme.co.uk Searchable Directory of Dog Parks in the UK]
* [http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/dog-parks ASPCA benefits of dog parks]
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[[Category:Dog parks| ]]
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