Dogs in D.C. are marking new territory.

Jessica Forres reports that the first public dog park has opened in the city.



Standing in the rain, Emily and Matt Scherer are watching their dog driver run around the new 15,000 square foot Shaw Dog Park.

HE'S OVER THERE. HE LIKES TO CHASE OTHER DOGS. HE LIKES CHASING LITTLE DOGS BECAUSE HE CAN DOMINATE THEM. BECAUSE HE LIKES THAT. IN A FRIENDLY PEACEFUL WAY.

[NAT: BUDDY FIREMAN, WOOF, WOOF]

Another dog owner George Kassouf shows off Buddy's singing skills. He is one of the people who created the Dog Owners of Greater Shaw.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO GET A DOG PARK AT LEAST FOUR YEARS OR SO AND WE MADE OUR APPLICATION JUST IN MAY BUT WE'VE WORKING ON IT FOR MONTHS.

His hard work finally paid off. The dog park...located on 11th Street and Rhode Island Avenue.. is the first to open in the District.

Kassouf says it's more than just a park for dogs.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR US ALL TO GET TOGETHER. IT"S SORT OF LIKE OUR OWN FRONT PORCH. THIS IS WHERE EVERYONE GETS TOGETHER IN THE EVENINGS AND JUST CATCHES UP.

DC''s Department of Parks and Recreation has budgeted 6-hundred thousand dollars over two years for public dog parks in the city.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News