Fenty Opens New Dog Park


Dog Park Opening by Max Cook

It’s finally official.  After years of neighborhood arguments, years of planning, and months of construction, the new S street dog park is finally open.  Yesterday, Mayor Adrian Fenty, Councilmember Jack Evans, and several other DC political types gave speeches about how great the new park is going to be, patted themselves on the back, and then made it official by cutting a dog leash, not a ribbon.  Ximena Hartsock, the Director of Parks and Recreation was on hand for the event as was the old Director, Clark Ray, who was axed by Fenty back in April.  It appears that there are no hard feelings between Fenty and Ray as the mayor gave credit to him for turning the dream into a reality.  As Jack Evans said (who brought his dog Kelly to the park), Fenty’s motto is “get it done”.


Mayor Fenty cuts a dog leash with giant golden scissors

The new dog park and the new “people park” on T street had a combined cost of $1 million dollars.  The dog park features a five foot fence, artificial turf, benches, new landscaping, and a water fountain to keep the dogs cool.  The maintenance of the park will be shared between the city and Circle Dogs, a Dupont Circle non profit.


Sparky laps up some water on a hot day at the dog park

Yesterday’s ceremonies did not come without some excitement.  After the mayor had left, a dog brawl broke out when a tiny chihuahua growled at one of the Humane Society’s pit bulls that was there for adoption.  The pit bull did some minor damage to the chihuahua but the Humane Society has offered to pay for the vet bills.


A bird’s eye view of the new park

It remains to be seen how the new dog park will hold up under the wear and tear of dogs running around, but overall it’s a great addition to the neighborhood and a vast improvement over the old dust bowl park that it replaced.

Hailing from the Mile High City, Max has also lived in Tinsel Town, the Emerald City, as well as the City of Brotherly Love. Now a District resident, he likes to write about cool photos by local photographers, the DC restaurant and bar scene, or anything else that pops into his mind.

4 thoughts on “Fenty Opens New Dog Park”

  4. I, too, employ a pit-bull who could be the most adoring animal I’ve ever owned. Quickly, a fresh dog breed will occur together for your media to blast, as they have done rotties and dobies in prior many years. Unfortunate that media sensationalism breeds much inaccurate information.