WASHINGTON — Almost all of the nation’s 100 largest cities now have at least one dedicated off-leash dog park, and those parks are leading the growth of urban parks, according to the Trust for Public Land.
The Trust for Public Land says the number of dog parks grew by 4 percent last year. Since 2007, the number of dedicated dog parks across the country has grown by 89 percent.
Henderson, Nevada; Portland, Oregon; Norfolk, Virginia; Las Vegas; and Madison, Wisconsin are the top cities for the number of dog parks per capita.
Dog parks make up just part of an ongoing growth in public parks in urban settings.
The Trust says total spending on public parks and recreation in the 100 largest cities reached nearly $7 billion in 2015.
D.C. ranks among the best-funded parks and recreation systems in the country, along with Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis and St. Louis.
Also, D.C. is among top cities for community gardens and recreation centers.
