Our History
"THE WORLD'S FIRST DOG PARK"
The City of Berkeley established the Experimental Dog Park in Ohlone Park at Hearst/Grant Streets in 1979. Now named the Martha Scott Benedict Memorial Park, this unique municipal facility provides a place where dogs can exercise off-leash safely, right in the heart of the city. Because the area is a real park and not simply a dog run, there is plenty of room for owners to relax and socialize along with their pets.
READ THIS GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT OUR HISTORY IN THE SMITHSONIAN
The park is now operated by The Ohlone Dog Park Association (ODPA). Founded as a club in 1984, the ODPA became incorporated in 1986 as a California non-profit 501 (C) (3) educational corporation. ODPA has the financial and physical support of hundreds of community members interested in making the Dog Park a continuing success, promoting the establishment of additional dog parks, and improving conditions generally for dogs and dog owners in the Berkeley/East Bay area.