D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and members of her administration celebrated the opening of Texas Avenue Dog Park in Ward 7, the first located east of the Anacostia River.
The park consists of two fenced play areas for small and large dogs.
“This dog park is not just a recreational space; it’s part of our commitment to equity and accessibility,” Bowser said. “Residents in every part of D.C. have pets, and they need safe places for their dogs to play and exercise. And by creating designated spaces for dogs, dog parks also help us keep other parks and green spaces safe and clean. I’m grateful to DGS [Department of General Services] and DPR [Department of Parks and Recreation] for their combined efforts to deliver this neighborhood amenity. With the investments in our fiscal year 2025, these two teams will be delivering for Ward 7 for years to come.”
In addition to the parks for dogs to play and exercise, the space features grills for public use, seating, and shade structures. The site also has a landscaped bioretention area to ensure stormwater runoff is treated.
“As the agency that builds, maintains, and sustains over 840 District spaces, we’re proud to unveil the newest addition, the first ever official government dog park east of the river, to our capital landscape,” said DGS Director Delano Hunter. “With over 330 active capital projects underway, our agency remains steadfast in our mission to enhance the infrastructure that shapes the fabric of our nation’s capital. From dog parks to public facilities, each endeavor reflects our commitment to serving the diverse needs of our community.”
Thennie Freeman, the director of DPR, who resides in Ward 7, said she looked forward to using the park with her puppy, Macksi.
Bowser administration officials said 62% of the project was awarded to local certified business enterprises, representing an almost $600,000 investment in District businesses.
The algorithm of events unfolding are definitely by design against the normalcy of whts been over a century. How many children parks, recreational centers or playgrounds are available.
I love dogs my siblings and I had all types of pets. The obsession for these animals place and substituted before children are strangely intriguing towards the unnatural.
However, that is a good location.