Dog Run Follow Up 2

Think Remodeling

Dog Run Follow-Up By Ryan Robinson

Photo courtesy of goridgewood.com

Thanks to the owners of The Oakland Journal for talking to the Mayor and some of the Council during the Tree Lighting Ceremony because the dog run idea is coming back to life. Even though the council did not get my letter, I re-sent the letter through The Oakland Journal to the Mayor and council. Here is what some of them said:

“The dog run area I am proposing is between Portobello’s and the Doty Road Bridge. I have been trying to purchase this land for the Borough for a few years. By all means keep up the pressure to purchase this land. “
-Betsy Stagg

“I like the idea but am not sure where we would put one. I will discuss this with our Administrator and kick around the idea to see if we have a location. As to cost, at present we have NO funding available to implement this idea.”
-John P. Szabo, Jr., Mayor

“I did not receive the email from Ryan but I think it is good idea. The location and funding need to be discussed further. I hope to bring this up in our goal setting meeting early next year.”
-Christopher Visconti

“We will be discussing the Raymond Property, which the young man referenced, at Wednesday’s (12/11/08) meeting. We could talk dog park then. Did you say that you wanted to fund it? What is the purpose of a dog park in a non-urban setting?”
– Karen Marcalus

I will hopefully be taking a trip to Ridgewood or Pequannock sometime soon and go into Borough Hall and ask for the plans for the dog runs. That way, I can look at the size, measurements, and the tools, materials needed, etc. to see what one would need to build a dog run.

Personally, I thank Betsy Stagg for her idea, but I think that if the dog run were to go on the land she is proposing, that would cost a lot more money to build and take down trees, etc. So, I am still going for idea with the Raymond Property, which is located across from the Ambulance Squad.

Also, a good way to help pay for materials is to get local businesses involved. Maybe a tree cutting company can help take down the trees, or a fence company can help put up the fence, etc. Then, we can build a sign saying that these companies/ businesses helped. Also, local businesses like maybe Shoprite or Staples could be put up on this list as well.

Before I will be going to the two towns to get info, I did some online research. This is from the PHS/SPCA website on tips to help your town get a dog run/park:

· Start with a core group of committed dog park activists. Talk with a half dozen other guardians who are concerned about the lack of off-leash spaces. These may be people you already know — or put a notice in the local paper.
· Hold a public meeting. Once the core group is in accord, a larger community meeting will help you get the word out to supporters and solicit input and suggestions. Encourage people to write letters in support of a dog park to public officials and the media and to make presentations to community groups whose backing would be valuable.
· Educate your fellow dog owners on the need to be responsible. The guardian who neglects to pick up after his dog, or who allows an aggressive or unsocialized dog to run loose can do a lot of damage to your cause and ultimate chances of success. In Half Moon Bay the Coastside Doggie Club has a two-fold mission: establishing an off-leash dog exercise area and promoting responsible canine care.
· Write a clear mission statement that details the need and purpose of the park, stressing the benefits to dog owners, their canine companions and the greater community. The Redwood City Responsible Dog Owners’ statement says it all: “To establish a fenced in, off-leash dog park where well-behaved canine citizens can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property or wildlife. To develop a beautiful, well-maintained spaces open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park’s rules and restrictions. To view this park as a community project, in partnership with the City of Redwood City, designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike.”
· Demonstrate need. Gather statistics on the dogs and their people in your community. How many dogs would use a dog park? What are the demographics of the people in your city? Who currently uses city parks — and who doesn’t? Downplay the “dog factor” and emphasizing people issues. Dogs don’t pay taxes or vote.
· Demonstrate support. In both Belmont and Redwood Shores, activists found that a simply worded request, circulated on a petition, helped convince city officials that there was indeed both a need and widespread public support for a responsibly run dog park. Place petition gatherers at supermarkets, pet supply stores and other high-traffic areas. Enlist the support of local veterinarians, groomers, dog walkers and others who have a real interest in having a community filled with healthy, well-socialized dogs. Involve them in gathering petitions, writing letters to the editor of local papers and generally spreading the word.
· Create a budget. Determine how much it will cost to construct and maintain the park– costs for grass, fences, garbage removal, lawn maintenance, drinking water, field drainage, lighting, benches and a stationary pooper scooper station. Some cities are willing and able to finance a dog park; others would rather share the cost with a group committed to maintaining the park and ensuring that park rules.
· Solicit the input and seek the approval of significant organizations in your community. Talk with the proposed park’s neighbors before talking to city hall. “As soon as someone puts up a serious red flag, pay attention to it,” advises Terry Anderlini. “Don’t ignore or fight it; try to come up with a solution. If it really is impossible to resolve, at least you’ll know what you are up against.”
· Be prepared to address a range of concerns, including the risk for dog fights, dog bites, noise level, parking and traffic needs, liability issues and maintenance. Explain why some of these are non-issues and have a plan to address those, like traffic and noise that are legitimate.
· PHS/SPCA can help your efforts by writing a letter of support. If you are part of a group looking to create a new dog park in San Mateo County, and would like such a letter, please contact Scott Delucchi at 650/685-8510 or delucchi@PHS-SPCA.org. If you are outside of San Mateo County, you may want to contact your local humane organization for their support.
· Get to know local officials — your city council members and the director of your department of parks and recreation. Attend meetings, join them at fundraisers. Find out what they need from you to move the dog park forward.
· When you’re ready, request a hearing with city government to discuss your proposal. Have two or three carefully selected, knowledgeable and articulate members of your group present your plan, clearly expressing its many benefits to the community and calmly addressing any concerns.
· Be patient. Dealing with city government is rarely a quick deal. While you may find yourself running with Fido in the dog park of both your dreams within a year, it could just as easily take several.

So, if you know anyone who would be willing to help out in any way, shape, or form, please contact The Oakland Journal. If this were to progress even further, I hope that people from Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff might be interested to help out as well. Just on my street alone, there are more than 10 dogs and that’s just this one street in Oakland! There are probably at least 500 dogs or more in just Oakland alone. So, please even if you don’t want to give anything toward this, at least tell 1 person to read this article. We need to have this idea spread around. I think that this idea is starting to catch on like wildfire and in this case, it needs to keep burning.
Thank you all.

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