On March 12, 2002, Doris Richards, retiring president of the Ohlone Dog Park Association at Berkeley, CA, was honoured by the mayor and council of the city.
In issuing a council proclamation for Doris the mayor, Shirley Dean, acknowledged that it was unusual for the council to issue such proclamation.
The weight of other business often left little time at council meetings, and the number of requests for proclamations to be read usually exceeded the council's available time to read them.
However, in the case of Doris the rules were waived and the proclamation read. It said that:
Ohlone Dog Park, the first dog park in the nation, was officially established in 1983 on an unused strip of land by a group of animal-loving activists who believed that dogs needed a dedicated area for running, playing, socializing, and educating their humans in responsible guardianship.
Doris Richards took a leadership role in establishing the Ohlone Dog Park Association and served as its president from 1985 to 2001.
Under the guidance and direction of Doris Richards, the Association adopted the dog park to make certain it would be an asset to its users and to the neighborhood, a safe place for dogs and owners alike to interact socially.
Doris and many energetic volunteers have truly been wonderful guardians of the Park: they have enforced the rules, taken major responsibility for its maintenance, purchased and installed equipment, helped break up dog fights, generally educated dog owners, and have sponsored a variety of community events for dogs and their owners - dog washes, dog games and races, and dog blood donor programmes.
Possibly a legend in her own time, Doris Richards, in the spirit of Martha Benedict, has aided many people and communities outside Berkeley in establishing dog parks of their own.
The Mayor and councillors then thanked Doris for her dedication and commitment to the socialization and exercise of dogs, for her pioneering leadership in the community and the heightened appreciation of animals and their needs, and in her honour declared March, 2002, the month of Doris Richards and the Ohline Dog Park in the City of Berkeley.
For the full story on the work of Doris Richards please go to page 11.
