D.C. is getting more dog parks
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Time to let the dogs out: D.C.'s dog parks are multiplying — and getting spruced up.
Why it matters: The District's official network of dog parks has grown by roughly two-thirds in less than a decade, and more are on the way.
By the numbers: The Department of Parks and Recreation lists 20 dog parks today, up from 12 in 2017.
- Ward 3 — home to Northwest neighborhoods including Woodley Park, Cleveland Park and Chevy Chase — has the most, at five.
- Ward 2 (Shaw, Logan Circle, Georgetown) follows with four.
- Wards 7 (Deanwood, Hillcrest) and 8 (Anacostia, Congress Heights) each have one.
Driving the news: Two more are in the works while four existing parks are getting upgrades, per DPR.
- What's long been an unofficial dog play space in a Columbia Heights lot owned by WMATA is now becoming a sanctioned D.C. doggie park with wood chips and turf.
- The 11th & Bark Dog Park's timeline is TBD. The project is currently going through permitting, per DPR.
Plus: A forthcoming Mt. Vernon Triangle dog park at 400 Mass Ave. is still very much in the early planning stages, but expect community engagement to start at the beginning of next year.
Pup-dates to current parks:
🐶 Kingsman Dog Park | Hill East: Reopened in July after it was renovated with new benches and shades, storage containers, surfacing, gates, a message board, and a doggie wash area.
🐶 Bundy Dog Park | Shaw: New upgrades are coming, including a new water fountain and entrance.
🐶 Francis Dog Park | West End: Expect a bigger, resurfaced area for playing pups.
🐶 S Street Dog Park | Dupont Circle: New benches are coming with "dog-safe designs."
The bottom line: Only the best for man's best friend.