In October 2005, Mayor Anthony A. Williams signed the “Dog Park Establishment Amendment Act of 2005,” which authorizes the Mayor to establish off-leash dog exercise areas to be known as “dog parks” on existing District-owned parkland.

Beginning in January, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will work with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Washington Area Sewer Authority (WASA), and other local and federal agencies and stakeholders to determine best practices for off-leash sites, discuss the creation of rules for dog parks, and establish the roles and responsibilities for each agency partner.

The draft rules will be reviewed for legal sufficiency by the Office of the Attorney General and will be published as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in accordance with the DC Administrative Procedures Act in the DC Register for a 30-day public comment period.  Our goal is to public the propose rulemaking in spring 2006.  At the end of the 30-day public comment period, DPR will review all comments and make changes as appropriate.

Further updates on the status of the legislation will be available on this website or on the DC Council website at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us.