In the words of Calvin Coolidge, any man who does not like dogs and want them does not deserve to be in the White House. Across the street, on the National Mall, dogs are not only welcome but often celebrated. The finals of the canine frisbee disc championships have traditionally been held on the dog-friendly National Mall. The patchy grass squares make a fun place to play with your dog or the Mall can be the setting for a people- watching canine hike of almost two miles from the Capitol Steps to the feet of Abraham Lincoln.

In the northwest part of the city dog lovers will delight in the trails of Rock Creek Park. Although technically a national park, Rock Creek Park is more like a city park administered by the National Park Service. How many other national parks boast of ballfields and 30 picnic sites?

It was the Army Corps of Engineers that first proposed the creation of Rock Creek Park when they considered moving the White House out of the mosquito-infested lowlands of down-town Washington after the Civil War. In 1890 Congress carved 1,754 acres from the Rock Creek Valley to establish the park.

Two main parallel hiking trails run the length of the park from north to south on either side of Rock Creek to hike with your dog. The wiser choice for canine hikers is the Valley Trail (blue blazes) on the east side. In contrast with its twin, the Western Ridge Trail (green blazes), there are fewer picnic areas and less competition for the trail. Each is a rooty and rocky frolic up and down the slopes above Rock Creek, a superb canine swimming hole. Numerous spur trails and bridle paths connect the two major arteries that connect at the north and south to create a loop about ten miles long.

Rock Creek Park abuts the western edge of 16th Street, Route 29, running north to south. The main road through the park, Beach Drive, can be picked up from the north on the East West Highway, Route 410.

copyright 2006