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

King of the Hill ramp is just one of the agility pieces with today's selection of Dog Park Equipment

If you don't have a dog park with dog playground equipment in your neighborhood or multi-family community, you may want to organize a group and build one - for the benefits of both canines and owners.

Because here are some interesting statistics.

We all know that dogs benefit from having a designated space for them to play. They get out of the house. They can run around unleashed. And they can socialize with other dogs.

When you add in dog playground equipment, such as ramps, tunnels and hurdles, there are even more benefits. Dogs learn new tricks that stimulate them mentally. They interact with their owners, which they love to do. And they burn up all that pent-up energy from sitting indoors.

"My cats inspire me daily. They inspire me to get a dog," - Greg Curtis "There ain't a man livin' who hasn't talked to his dog." - Hank Williams "Dogs have boundless enthusiasm but no sense of shame. I should have a dog as a life coach." - Moby "Every dog is a lion at home." - Henry George Bohn "I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone." - Steven Wright "We've begun to long for the pitter-patter of little feet - so we bought a dog. Well, it's cheaper, and you get more feet." - Rita Rudner "Asthma doesn't seem to bother me any more unless I'm around cigars or dogs. The thing that would bother me most would be a dog smoking a cigar." - Steve Allen "What a dog I got, his favorite bone is in my arm." - Rodney Dangerfield "My fashion philosophy is, if you're not covered in dog hair, your life is empty." - Elayne Boosler

Assorted dog park equipment - tunnel, table and hurdles at The Gates of Cedar Hill Apartments

Dog Park Equipment is now becoming a hot amenity with multi-family communities as a strategy to keep both their residents and canine-friends happy.

Take The Gates of Cedar Hill Apartments near Dallas in northeast Texas.

This is a beautiful gated community in Cedar Hill that goes beyond what many communities offer by providing their residents with more than just a place to live.

The appealing community also provides a clubhouse, swimming pool, volleyball court, fitness center, business center, on-site laundry facility, controlled access security and carports.

Dog park equipment that includes Paw-Themed bench near the entrance to fenced-in dog areas at North Beach Oceanside Park in Miami Beac

If you want to see a cool dog park, complete with a full array of dog park equipment, then you must visit the North Beach Oceanside Park in Florida.

"Cool" is the operative word for this park located at 8328 Collins Ave., Miami Beach for a number of reasons.

For one, the park is located on the Atlantic Ocean. Soothing cool breezes come off the water, blow over the beach and make their way to this 36-acre oasis where there are two dog parks.

Secondly, there is an area at the beach called "Bark Beach" designated for dogs. A great place to run and splash in the surf.

Third, the North Beach Oceanside Park is a botanical paradise. There are trees everywhere. And plenty of trees means plenty of welcome