Support a Dog Park for Oakland 6

Fellow Oakland Residents,

My name is Ryan Schwertferger and I am a senior at Indian Hills High School right here in town. In 2008, my family and I adopted a lovable dog named Scooby. After learning about what makes a dog healthy and happy, I found out that there are places one can take their pooch so they can get the exercise and socialization they need. These places, called dog parks, are fenced in areas where dogs and their owners can meet up and let the dogs run and play freely in a safe, enclosed environment. I looked into where nearby dog parks are located, but it turned out the closest one would be 10-15 miles away from Oakland. After a lot of thought, encouragement, and some inspiration from my Mom, I began to investigate and work towards the construction of a dog park in and for Oakland when I was in 8th grade.

One thing that I discovered real fast is that property in Oakland is at a premium. While difficult at first to find the perfect spot, after years of looking, I think an answer to my search has been reached.

Presently, the Recreation Commission is working along with the Environmental Commission on rehabilitating the former Pleasureland/Mueller’s Park properties into a passive recreation park called White Oak Park. A passive recreation park means there will be no ball fields, roller rink or any other team sport activities. I approached the Recreation Commission Chairman Mike Guadagnino to see if room for a dog park could be incorporated into his park’s plan. After Mike and I reviewed various maps, flood history and everything else pertinent to the property, it seems we found a spot for a dog park. Currently, the plan shows that there is enough property that both a big dog area and a small dog area could be built at this new park.

As the park’s master plan moves along, the dog park plan will follow. Those who have worked with me and supported me regarding this plan are cautiously ecstatic that a dog park can become a reality. While I’ll explain why we are “cautiously” ecstatic shortly, I would like to explain a little further why this this project is very important to me.

I wrote earlier that my Mom was the inspiration towards getting a dog park accomplished for the town. She was the one who encouraged me to make a difference in my community, who provided different perspectives and ideas that could make a dog park plan better, all while being a great mom supporting me, her son. Sadly, after a bout with cancer in 2012, she passed away this past summer. While the final name for the dog park is still being mulled over, I can say with certainty that the park will be named after my mom, Jill, as a tribute to her legacy.

Now, as mentioned earlier, the question remains as to why we are “cautiously” ecstatic. Like everything in life, funds are needed to pay for this project. Keeping with an “Oakland first” philosophy, this entire park, including the dog park, will not be asking the town for funding. The goal is to raise these funds through donations and grants. As a start however, I am selling pins that of the Borough of Oakland seal. You may have seen the pins mentioned on Oakland TV with the mayor and many council members all proudly wearing them. The pins are being sold for only $5 each, and by working with the Sports Association of Oakland, (which is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization) each pin sold can be written off as a tax deduction and donation.

Please help support the dog park project by purchasing a pin or by donating an amount of your choosing. To do so, please contact dogrun4oakland@yahoo.com and/or the Sports Association of Oakland at saonj2012@gmail.com.

To get up-to-date information regarding the dog park, I encourage you to also “like” the facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dog-Park-for-Oakland-NJ/338186842893488

Thank you,
Ryan Schwertfeger