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If local, state, or federal park managers were asked to identify a trend for users of park property, many of the managers would name the increase in dogs going off-leash. According to survey results released earlier this year by The American Pet Products Association, dog ownership has increased to an all-time high of 83.3-million dogs (www.americanpetproducts.org).
Further, anecdotal evidence suggests that requests from dog owners to park managers for designated locations for their pets to play have also increased. As a result, municipal officials have devised a variety of new policies, including designating off-leash hours in specific parks, installing pet runs that can be used for a fee, and having pet owners take the initiative to form a group, raise money for construction materials, and then maintain the recreation area.
The Benefits
Park managers and dog owners realize there are many advantages to establishing specific areas for dogs to run off-leash: