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When asked who frequents Hyattsville's newest park, park-goers rattle off their names — and the breeds of their dogs.

The Heurich Dog Park opened Sept. 29. Residents who use the space say it benefits them as much as their dogs.

"It's important for her to get a lot of exercise and it's good for her mentally," said Hyattsville's Mike Busch, 65, of his dog Anne. "And I love to watch them play."

The one-acre park, at Nicholson Street and Ager Road, is fenced and features benches and separate areas where unleashed large and small dogs can run. The park is on the same plot as the existing Heurich Park, which has a playground and large fields.

Dog parks in College Park and Greenbelt require registration and payment starting at $5, but Hyattsville's park, like Bowie's, is free. Owners are expected to clean up after their pets.

Residents began informally talking about bringing a dog park to the area about 10 years ago, said Eileen Nivera, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission project coordinator. The commission operates the dog park.

A more recent push by residents led Prince George's County Councilman Willliam A. Campos (D-Dist. 2) of Hyattsville to allocate $100,000 for the project in the county's 2007 budget.

"We'd go out into the community and it would be something people would raise," said Brad Frome, a Campos aide.

The allocation includes $40,000 for future additions, such as a shelter, water fountain and dog obstacle courses, Nivera said. The shelter could be built as early as this winter, while the fountain will be added in fall 2010.

The park is an amenity that benefits Hyattsville residents and attracts others to the area, Frome said.

"It not only allows for the socialization of dogs, but it's a place for members of the community," he added. "It gives them a chance to just hang out and grow that sense of community."

Beverly Sjoblad, 61, of Hyattsville, agreed.

"We've met a lot of people since we've been coming here," she said as her dog, Nemo, ran around the park on Oct. 22. "The dogs and the people socialize."

The park has allowed his puppy, Jake, to run off his excess energy, said Tom Mullarkey, 23, of Brentwood.

"He's 10 times better in the house now," Mullarkey said of Jake.

People tend to visit the park after work hours and come from such nearby communities as Mount Rainier, Takoma Park and even Washington, several park-goers said.

Juanita Holland, 55, of University Park regularly brings her dogs, Sam and Diego, to the park after work. Being around each other is important for dogs because they are pack animals, she said.

"How would we feel if we had to be cooped up with another species all day?"