Urban Parks Go to The Dogs

According to a study by the non-profit Trust for Public Land, reporter Haya El Nasser says that dog parks are becoming the fastest-growing of city parks nationwide.

1 minute read

December 8, 2011, 10:00 AM PST

By David Zeetser

"There was a playground movement 100 years ago," says Peter Harnik, director of the Center for City Park Excellence at The Trust for Public Land. "In the last 15 to 20 years, it's these off-leash dog areas. There's a tremendous upsurge in demand and love for them."

There were 569 off-leash dog parks in the 100 largest cities in 2010, a 34% jump in five years. Parks overall increased only 3% in that time.

Harnick says that these are playgrounds for people without kids. Maria Goodavage, San Francisco writer and mom (of a kid and dog) who met her husband at a dog park says that "It's socializing for both, the dogs and the owners."

FULL STORY: Fastest-growing urban parks are for the dogs

Wednesday, December 7, 2011 in USA Today

Community / Economic Development Environment Land Use Social / Demographics United States Dog Parks View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Learn More

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.