The Union Market District Parks Foundation started as The Union Market Dog Park Advocates Group, a small group of residents working to advocate for an “Official Community Dog Park within “The Union Market Neighborhood” That mission quickly expanded to include advocating for a much-needed Community Park. The group collected signatures for a Dog Park and has presented that Application to DCParks & Recreation Department in May of 2023 asking the city to build the Dog Park on city owned land and to expand it to include a Community Park. The DC Parks & Recreation Department in early August acknowledged the Application and is committed to working with UMD Parks