Raleigh currently has three dog parks which serve 163,000 households as the only City space dogs are allowed to run off-leash. In many City parks, athletic fields exist that are fenced and provide safe enclosures for happenings inside. By my signature below, I urge the City to allow off-leash dog play in enclosed athletic fields during times when no sports events are held. The City athletic fields are used by teams in the evenings during team sports seasons. Year-round, however, they can provide a meeting place for community members and their companion animals. Dogs are an integral part of many Raleigh citizens’ lives and well-being. They offer companionship, protection, and community connections; and they facilitate public health. Allowing dogs to run and play together socializes them and gives them the exercise they need to be balanced companions to their owners. Opening enclosed athletic fields to off-leash dog play would allow Raleigh citizens access to recreation and care for canine family members that is currently severely lacking while fostering a sense of community for all. To enable safe and hassle-free field usage for all users, I ask that doggie-bag stations are installed and maintained at enclosed athletic fields, and that fields are part of maintenance of city parks through city staff, through neighborhood “adopt-a-park” programs or by other means.