Dog parks allow dogs to get ample offleash exercise and social activity with other dogs, promoting a decrease in the level of troublesome behavior. spaces, and the benefits of these off-leash spaces are clear. As people continue to move to urban centers and the trend of bringing the family pet along gains strength, the demand for spaces to exercise and socialize with their pets continues to expand. By including dog parks in our overall master plans, we can help extend health benefits to people and improve the quality of life and community capital across the country. operates three dog parks and hosts several events, designed to bring pet owners together and generate revenue to support maintenance of the dog parks. Their popular Yappy Hour event includes live music, food and beverages and is one of many events that helps to ensure the dog parks remain clean and welcoming. Dog parks are one of the fastest-growing amenities in public Detailed references for this article are available at www.nrpa.org/parks-rec reation-magazine/2018/November/ dog-parks. Anne-Marie Spencer is the Corporate Vice President of Marketing for PlayCore (aspencer@playcore.com). W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G | N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | Parks & Recreation 27