Advocating for safe, vibrant, and welcoming off-leash spaces for Berkeley's canine companions and their owners.
Join Our Cause Today!We are a dedicated group of Berkeley residents, dog owners, and community advocates passionate about enhancing our city's green spaces for everyone, including our beloved four-legged friends. Our mission is to work collaboratively with the City of Berkeley, local organizations, and residents to establish well-designed, accessible, and community-friendly dog parks.
We believe that providing designated off-leash areas promotes responsible pet ownership, improves canine health, fosters community connections, and contributes to a safer and more harmonious urban environment.
Learn about the compelling reasons why Berkeley needs more dog parks, our proposed strategies to make them a reality, and the extensive research supporting their benefits.
Designated dog parks provide a safe, legal, and appropriate space for off-leash exercise, encouraging compliance with leash laws in other public areas and reducing conflicts.
Regular off-leash exercise is crucial for a dog's physical health, mental stimulation, and reducing behavioral issues like excessive barking or destructiveness at home.
Dog parks allow dogs to interact with other canines, improving their social skills, reducing fear or aggression, and creating better-behaved community members.
Dog parks serve as natural meeting places, fostering social interaction among residents, building neighborhood cohesion, and creating a sense of shared responsibility for public spaces.
By providing dedicated off-leash areas, dog parks reduce unauthorized off-leash activity in sensitive areas (like children's playgrounds or wildlife habitats), minimizing potential conflicts and promoting a safer environment for all park users.
Well-socialized and exercised dogs are less likely to be surrendered to shelters due to behavioral problems, potentially reducing the workload and costs for Berkeley Animal Care Services.
Dog parks can increase foot traffic to nearby businesses (e.g., coffee shops, pet stores) and enhance the appeal of neighborhoods for residents, including those considering renting or buying property.
Identifies and repurposes underutilized public land or sections of existing parks that are suitable for conversion into well-maintained dog parks, enhancing their utility for the community.
As a city that champions progressive urban planning and community well-being, providing dedicated spaces for pets and their owners aligns with Berkeley's commitment to diverse recreational opportunities.
The large number of dog owners in Berkeley, coupled with existing challenges around off-leash enforcement in non-designated areas, highlights a clear and present demand for more regulated and enjoyable dog park facilities.
Instead of specific locations, we advocate for a multi-faceted approach to creating more dog-friendly spaces throughout Berkeley. Our proposed solutions focus on leveraging existing resources and innovative partnerships:
Identify and repurpose underused areas within existing parks or city-owned land that can be safely and effectively converted into designated off-leash dog areas with minimal impact on other uses.
Designate specific hours or days for off-leash dog use in certain larger parks or fields where it can be managed without conflict, providing flexible access for dog owners.
Explore collaborations with private landowners, community organizations, or businesses to develop and maintain dog parks, sharing the responsibility and resources for these valuable amenities.
Establish smaller, fenced dog play areas in diverse neighborhoods, particularly in areas with high dog ownership and limited access to larger off-leash spaces, to gauge community interest and usage.
Invest in improvements for current off-leash areas (like Cesar Chavez Dog Park and Ohlone Dog Park) by adding amenities such as better fencing, water stations, shade structures, and improved waste management facilities.
Support and empower local dog owner groups to take an active role in the maintenance and stewardship of new and existing dog parks, fostering a sense of ownership and reducing city maintenance burden.
Extensive research supports the numerous benefits of well-designed and managed dog parks for both canines and human communities. Adhering to best practices ensures these spaces are safe, enjoyable, and sustainable.
By applying these research-backed principles, Berkeley can create exemplary dog parks that serve as valuable community assets.
Your support is crucial to making more dog parks a reality in Berkeley!
Show your support! Every signature counts and demonstrates the strong community demand for more dog parks.
Sign the PetitionJoin our committee, help with outreach, event planning, or site research. Your skills are valuable!
Volunteer NowShare our mission with friends, family, and neighbors. Follow us on social media and amplify our message.
Connect With UsDonations: We are a volunteer-led initiative. If you'd like to support our efforts financially, please contact us for more information on how to contribute.
Directly contact your City Council members to express your support for new dog parks in Berkeley. Use the form below to generate a pre-filled email.
Access key documents and resources to help you advocate for more dog parks in Berkeley.
A concise summary of our key arguments and facts to use when speaking with officials or community members.
Download PDFA detailed brief outlining our proposed solutions and strategies for expanding dog park access in Berkeley.
Download BriefJoin us on June 10th at 6:00 PM at the Berkeley Main Library community room to discuss proposed dog park locations and provide your feedback. All are welcome!
Read More »We're thrilled to announce that our online petition has surpassed 1,000 signatures! Thank you for your incredible support. Let's keep the momentum going!
Read More »For a comprehensive list of all our upcoming meetings, events, and important dates, please refer to our official Google Calendar:
View Full Calendar(Opens in a new tab)
Have questions, suggestions, or want to get involved? We'd love to hear from you!
Email: info@berkeleydogparks.org (Replace with your actual email)