A dog lays on a grate in the unofficial Columbia Heights Dog Park. Photo by jaimetre.

While the humans of Columbia Heights gather at Meridian Pint or Red Rocks, the neighborhood’s dogs get their social fix at a small piece of land near the popular eateries at the corner of 11th and Park streets NW. But unlike the street’s restaurants, the unofficial dog park is not so pleasant to look at.

The newly created Friends of Columbia Heights Dog Park group would like to make improvements to the popular spot, but need cooperation from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to do so, since the agency owns the land.

“The park is currently a bit of an eyesore, and we want to fix that, as well as a number of safety and sanitation issues, by putting down a different ground material, building a double-entry gate, closing up areas where small dogs can escape, and creating enforceable rules and norms,” Robyn Swirling, one of the group’s organizers, wrote in an email. “We’re totally willing to do all the work, but need guidance and input from [WMATA] to ensure they still have all the access they need to do what they do.”

The group is asking parties who agree with their mission to complete a survey to show support. Swirling said dog park improvements will be discussed at the June 10 meeting of the North Columbia Heights Civic Association, held at Trolley Turnaround Park.