FROM BORED WALKS TO BARK PLACE.

Not long ago, Marin County canines enjoyed a less-than-engaging social scene. The concept of a communal place for dogs and their people to gather and cavort was something few had seriously considered. This is surprising, considering that an estimated 70,000 dogs reside in this Bay Area county just north of San Francisco -- far more than the number of tennis, softball, and soccer players combined.

In the late 1980s, the Marin Humane Society launched its Nowhere to Run campaign, an attempt to establish fenced dog parks in every community. In a county that covers more than 600 square miles, it seemed inexcusable that no master plan specified locations where responsible dog people could relax with their companions.

Park and recreation officials, city managers, and county supervisors were approached with the idea of creating easily accessible, well-managed dog parks. Initially the notion fell on deaf ears.

"Marin needed a place where dogs could let their tails down and just be dogs," says Diane Allevato, executive director of the Marin Humane Society. "But no one wanted to fork over the dog biscuits."

However, the concept was strongly supported by many, and the Larkspur Park and Recreation Committee saw merit in the idea. Friends of the Larkspur Canine Commons was formed and eventually raised more than $9,000. The town of Larkspur matched funds and donated a section of Piper Park to the pups. In 1990 Marin County's first dog park, Canine Commons, became a reality.

In the fall of '91, the city of Sausalito followed suit, earmarking over an acre of land within the Martin Luther King recreation area for dog park development. City resident Dianne Chute formed DOG, or the Dog Owners Group, and, with the help of a corps of volunteers, began to build the park.

Fences were erected, benches and water spigots were installed, and the new canine meeting spot was dubbed Remington Park in honor of Chute's golden retriever. This year the park received a foul-weather tent and spotlights.

The city pays power and water costs, but all renovations and improvements are covered by DOG's ongoing fundraising efforts. Its Web site, dogparksausalito.com, offers Remington Park merchandise for sale including visors, bandannas, and fanny packs. "We even made enough to buy our own lawnmower," Chute says.

On Friday evenings, as many as 100 people and dogs gather for an informal potluck. "Eight years ago, this is where people dumped their trash. Today, even people from Novato and San Rafael bring their dogs," Chute says.

San Rafael-based Field of Dogs is hoping to emulate Remington Park's success, but it hasn't been easy for group President Mario DiPalma. After six years of political lobbying and countless hours of committee meetings, the group gained approval this year to develop a site near the Marin Civic Center.

"The reason it's taken this long? NIMBY -- not in my back yard," DiPalma says. The group was turned away from many locations when neighborhood associations feared an influx of traffic and noise. According to DiPalma, the fears were largely unfounded.

Though he found the process discouraging, he refused to give up hope. DiPalma also credits Suzy Golt, assistant city manager for San Rafael, for identifying and securing the new location. Eventually he hopes to offer two parks on the site: one for large and one for small dogs.

For now, first impressions count. "We need to prove that we are good neighbors and a local asset, and let the rest of the community see how valuable a dog park is," DiPalma says.

Founded in 1993, DOGBONE (Dog Owners Group Bettering Our Novato Environment) was also recently awarded a permanent site in Novato's O'Hair Park. "Sometimes it doesn't seem believable," says DOGBONE member Helen Brown.

Like Field of Dogs, DOGBONE faced an uphill battle from homeowners associations and neighborhoods. "People didn't mind the idea of a dog park, but not where they lived," Brown says. According to Brown, the city of Novato had even threatened to shut down the O'Hair site if a single person failed to clean up after his or her dog's waste. Eventually a more realistic agreement was reached.

Brown estimates that construction will cost nearly $80,000; her group has raised one-eighth of that amount. Novato has agreed to ante up at least that much, and has also granted a two-year grace period for development.

"Now it's just a matter of time. Once the plans are finalized, we can break ground in June or July. We're getting really excited," Brown says.

As construction begins at the Novato site, Bayfront Park in Mill Valley will be nearing completion. The home of one of Marin's most beautiful dog parks, Bayfront was developed through the work of Park People and Dogs. According to Bayfront user Barbara Berlenbach, the term dog park is something of a misnomer. "These are places for people. That's why we call ourselves Park People and Dogs," she explains. With two acres of irrigated turf and an entire acre maintained in a natural state, Bayfront Park offers plenty of room for dogs to play.

Development of the park was achieved through the group's fund-raising efforts. More than $50,000 was raised by park users and memorial donations. The city of Mill Valley agreed to match whatever amount the group could raise. Berlenbach is confident the money will be well spent.

"This park is used 365 days a year, with as many as 50 or 60 people here during peak hours. It's a vital thing for Mill Valley and a vital thing for every community," she says.

Sound like an only-in-Marin thing? From California to Florida and Texas to Wisconsin, dog parks are gaining broad appeal. Current research reveals more than 600 dog parks in the United States; an additional 400 are known to be in initial planning stages.

With seven dog parks in the county and a recent survey showing that dog park users often visit their favorite canine locales more than five times a week, the popularity of these doggie destinations is showing no signs of slowing. "This is not a passing thing. We're here to stay," Chute says.

In Marin, it really is a dog's life.

RELATED ARTICLE: Pet Plan

A dog park is a place where dogs can socialize and run off-leash in a safe, secure environment. A great concept, to be sure. But how do you sell the idea to your two-legged city council members? Try the following approaches.

DOG PARKS

* Promote responsible pet ownership.

* Provide seniors and owners with disabilities with an accessible place to exercise their companions.

* Promote public health and safety.

* Provide a tool for realistic enforcement of dog-control laws.

POOCH PREREQUISITES

Before grabbing your fine, furry friend's leash and collar for a trip to the local pooch park, consider the following list of requirements.

* Dogs must be licensed.

* Dogs must be vaccinated.

* Dog must have handler present.

* Spayed/neutered animals are recommended.

* Puppies younger than 4 months old are prohibited (immature immune systems).

* No aggressive dogs are allowed.

* Owners must clean up after their pets.

FIDO FEATURES

The ideal dog park will include the following amenities.

* One acre or more surrounded by a 4- to 6-foot fence

* Shade and water

* Adequate drainage

* Ample parking close to site

* Grassy area

* Covered garbage cans

* Waste disposal stations

* Benches

* Wheelchair access

* Safe location

* Regular maintenance

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Marin County dog pork groups

Canine Commons Piper Park, Larkspur Larkspur Park and Recreation Department Dave Wilkinson [phone]

Dog Owners Group (DOG) Remington Park, Sausalito Diane Chute [phone]

Dog Owners Group Bettering Our Novato Environment (DOGBONE) O'Hair Park, Novato Helen Brown [phone] Lauren Cobb [phone]

Field of Dogs San Rafael Mario DiPalma [phone]

McDog McInnes Park, San Rafael Fred Nearman [phone]

Park People and Dogs Bayfront Park, Mill Valley Barbara Berlenbach [phone] Gail Rouchdy [phone]

San Anselmo Dog Park Elizabeth Moore [phone] Angela Wood [phone] x. 32

Before joining the Marin (Calif.) Humane Society in 1980, where he now serves as associate executive director, Rick Johnson worked with animal welfare groups in Oregon and Colorado. No stranger to the plight of our four-legged friends in public parks across the country, Johnson advocates the creation of dog parks, secure off-leash environments where dogs can unwind and do, you know, dog stuff. "In Marin County," says Johnson, "we have six areas that have secured a piece of the `park pie,' allowing people and their four-footed companions to enjoy the setting of a park" (p. 50).