A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners. Parks vary in accoutrements, although a typical dog park offers a 4' to 6' fence; separate, double-gated entry and exit points; adequate drainage; benches for humans; shade for hot days; parking close to the site; water; tools to pick up and dispose of animal waste in covered trash cans; and regular maintenance and cleaning of the grounds. Dog parks may also feature wheel-chair access, a pond for swimming; and a separate enclosure for small dogs.
In the U.S. the first official dog park opened in 1979 in Berkeley, California's Ohlone Park. Today, more than 600 city- or county-sanctioned off-leash areas in the U.S. exist, and more than 1,100 exist in the U.S. and Canada combined. In Australia, dog parks feature water taps rather than hydrants, garden benches, and mature trees for shade. Some (e.g. Pymble, New South Wales) have solar lampposts for after dark use.
Read more about Dog Park: Benefits of Off-leash Dog Parks, Concerns With Off-leash Dog Parks, Children in Dog Parks, Community Solutions: Instant Dog Parks and Unfenced Dog Parks, Weather Considerations, Dog Parks Growth
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