How the first dog park was founded and how it led to a boom in doggie playgrounds across the US

Few people know that when they are at play in a dog park, there was one woman, Doris Richard, who played a major role in the development of places for canines to play in America.

In fact, Doris was the founder of what is considered the first city dog park - Ohlone Dog Park in Berkeley, CA.

The first dog park had an interesting start.

The area chosen for the dog park was initially a vacant piece of land that remained after the construction of a BART subway station.

BART planned to use the land for residences. But a group of activists took over the property and called it "The People's Park Annex."

Part of the "People's Park" was used as an off-leash

Wooden picnic tables and the advantages of using pressure-treated planks

Wooden Picnic Tables, especially new ones or those in good shape, are an inviting sight when families go to the park for an afternoon.

Now is the time to consider ordering new wooden picnic tables to be ready for the spring, summer and fall seasons.

For best results, use commercial-grade wooden planks that are pressure-treated by experts.

Pressure-treated wood is the same tough material you see used for docks, boat pilings, and decks.

Wooden picnic tables undergo pressure-treatment for durability

Some of the advantages of this process when it comes

There are many free items available for visitors to our National Parks, including several days when admission fees are waived. Great Smoky Mountain National Park photo courtesy of National Park Service

If your resolution this year is to spend more time off the couch and on a park bench or hiking in our national parks, here are some free goodies that might keep you motivated in 2020.

Let's start with free admission.

Every year, the National Park Service issues a list of days when entrance fees are waived. This is for 110 parks that charge admission. There is no admission fee for the other 309 national park sites.

Free admission

 

Interesting quotes about parks and the joy of relaxing on a park bench

Few things in life are as great as a local or national park. Parks offer a respite from the world of traffic jams, office cubicles and artificial light. They give humans a way to reconnect and recharge with nature which is in our DNA. And they belong to each and every one of us.

Here are a few of our favorite quotes about parks. Pass them on and be sure to support your local parks department and the National Park Service.

"If you have found a quiet bench in a quiet park and sat down, be sure you had a very profitable day!"

The National Park Service oversees the installation of the National Christmas Tree and the lighting ceremony. (NPS photo

Many people might not know this but one of the duties of the National Park Service, in addition to taking care of ALL 419 of our wonderful national parks, is to oversee the National Christmas Tree.

The massive tree is located in the Ellipse at President's Park near the White House South Lawn.

The park is outside the White House fence and in an open area accessible by the public. It's free for the public to visit the tree.

This year, the tree is a 30-foot Colorado Spruce from Palmyra, PA. In addition, there are 56 smaller trees surrounding the big tree. They are adorned with some very unique one-of-a-kind ornaments.  These are not store-bought ornaments. They were created by students across the country.