In Support of Dog Park at Shaw Recreation Field

We, the undersigned, residents of Shaw, Logan Circle and U Street neighborhoods, strongly support the establishment of an off-leash, fenced-in dog park at Shaw Recreation Field, bounded by 11th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, N.W.

Our neighborhoods of Wards 1 and 2 are vibrant, attractive places for families and individuals to establish homes and communities. Hundreds of dog-owners reside here, especially with the increase of pet-friendly condominium buildings. All of us long-term and new residents are seeking areas to recreate with our dogs and safely enjoy the outdoors in the company our dog-owning neighbors. Unfortunately, very little District-owned green space exists in our neighborhood that has not been already designated for some other use. This has led to "illegal dog parks" and to frequent, unnecessary conflicts and a waste of law enforcement resources.

Therefore, we strongly urge the Department of Parks and Recreation to designate a space at Shaw Recreation Field as a dog park large enough to accommodate the needs of our neighborhoods. Shaw Field is ideal for the following reasons:

The field is centrally located to Logan Circle, U Street and Shaw neighborhoods;
Residences and businesses are more than fifty feet from the field;
The field has historically been under-utilized as an athletic field;
A number of other fields exist nearby where athletic games and competitions can be held;
Precedent exists for redesignating parkland use, as when the tennis courts at Shaw Field were converted to a skate park;
Locating a dog park in Shaw Field will deter the criminal activity and public drunkenness commonly seen on the field;
A dog park at Shaw Field will not compromise environmental considerations, interfere with community gardens, or cause run-off contamination to streams or waterways;
The field is flat and will allow for easy compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If DPR should find that Shaw Field is not suitable, we respectfully request that you consider other nearby District-owned land options: the northern portion of Bundy Field or the adjacent parking lot; the north-east portion of Kennedy Recreation Center which includes the horseshoe area; and the unused pool south of Garrison Elementary School and adjacent portions of the school field.

We believe that dog owners are equal to other park patrons and should be treated with fairness. We commit to being responsible park patrons by obeying all dog park regulations set by DPR, partnering with DPR in the development and maintenance of the park, and treating our fellow community members with respect and consideration.