I was at a settlement yesterday for a property in Kenwood Forest and while we were waiting for copies of the documents to made, the conversation turned to the buyer's new dog.  Out came the Iphone so she could share the most recent pictures.  Then her agent brought out pictures of her own dog.  My seller followed suit, and of course, I had to join in with pictures of my standard poodle, Poirot.

 As we all sat around the table oohing and aahing over each other's four legged children, it made me realize how lucky we are to live in DC where it is very easy to share your life with a dog.  Dog Parks are gaining in popularity in the Washington, DC area. They are designated areas (usually fenced) where dogs can play and exercise off-leash. Dog Parks are wonderful places for dogs (and their owners) to exercise and socialize.

Battery Kemble Park
2700 Chain Bridge Rd., between MacArthur Blvd. and Nebraska Ave., NW, Washington DC. This park includes picnic tables and walking trails. Owners typically let their dogs run off leash.

Congressional Cemetery
1801 E St., SE Washington DC. The cemetery requires dog owners to register for $200 and pay an annual $50 fee per dog for usage privileges. The fenced grounds make up one of the largest and most populated dog parks in DC.

Glover Park Dog Park
39th and W Sts., NW Washington DC. Next to Glover Archbold Park, this park includes several trails that lead into the woods. It's open during daylight hours, and leashes are suggested.

Langdon Dog Park
2901 20th Street NE, Washington DC. The dog park is located between the basketball court and the swimming pool and includes about 15,000 sq ft of space divided for large/smaller dogs.

Lincoln Park
11th St. and North Carolina Ave., NE Washington DC. This grassy park on Capitol Hill is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Make sure your dog is leashed-police have been known to issue tickets.

Marion Park
Sixth and E Sts., SE Washington DC. Located on Capitol Hill, the park is great for dog owners and is also a kid-friendly destination. Leashes are suggested.

Meridian Hill Park
Between 15th and 16th Sts. and W and Euclid Sts., NW Washington DC. Also known as Malcolm X Park. The best area for dogs is on the top level, where there's a large grassy area.

Montrose Park and Dumbarton Oaks Park
32nd and R Sts., NW Washington DC. These two adjacent parks include grassy fields, playgrounds, and trails through the woods.

Rose Park
27th and Dumbarton Sts., NW Washington DC. Georgetown's unofficial dog park. Dogs run carefree and unleashed.

17th and S Park
17th and S Sts., NW Washington DC. This small park is a popular meeting space for U Street and Dupont-area dog owners. Heavy traffic borders all sides of the park. Leashes are suggested.

Shaw Dog Park
11th St. between Q and R Sts., NW. Washington DC. Dogs run unleashed. There's a three-dog maximum per person and a 33-dog park limit.

Walter Pierce Park Dog Run
1967 Calvert St., NW Washington DC. Collars must be removed, and dogs must be at least four months old to enter the run.

If you are relocating to the DC metro area, Please give the Lise Howe Group a call.  All of us in the group have dogs.  We are committed to ensuring that you have an easy transition to your new home town, whether it is in finding schools, vets, interior designers, painters, that really great little music bar like the one at home, or the perfect personal shopper.  We are Washingtonians - we love our area and want you to love it too.