In Iowa (USA) a dog parks1 are becoming increasingly popular, and the city leaders say they’re a low-cost feature that can attract and retain residents:
Dog parks, once a rarity in Iowa, have taken off in the past five or six years. …
The parks are showing up in the state’s largest cities — Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, Sioux City and West Des Moines — with the exception of Des Moines. At least 15 cities across Iowa have dog parks, but no group keeps an official record. Owners profess they are good for people and for pooches, and city leaders say they are low-cost features to offer residents.
…There are benefits for dogs — space to play and exercise, as well as opportunities for socialization, which can lead to better behavior — but advocates say the parks also bring people together. …
Jordison said he expects dog parks to follow the trend of skate parks and aquatic centers — once scarce treats that are now staples of cities trying to attract and retain residents.
[Via : Dog parks leap in popularity | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register.]
If there aren’t any dog parks in your area, grab your dog owning buddies and approach the local authorities to ask for one.
1 …a dog park, defined as a public place with a designated area for dogs to run off a leash.
— Definition in the article quoted above.
If you can tell us where to find research that backs up the claims of health and other benefits please leave a comment below. Let’s pool our knowledge to help everyone lobby for better facilities for dogs and their owners.
