PROPOSAL to the

Council Members of the City of Murphysboro

“The City with the Forward Look”

that is

“Ripe With Possibilities”

Prepared by the Better Days Committee of the

Friends of Murphysboro Foundation

Table of Contents  

Section 1 

Basic Plan 

Benefits to Murphysboro 

Rules of the Park 

Section 2 

Dog Parks as an Amenity 

Section 3 

Website Hits of Illinois Dog Parks (free advertising for Murphysboro) 

Illinois Dog Travel Guide (Carbondale Listing) 

Section 4 

O’Fallon, IL Grand Opening 

Section 5 

Home Buyers and Dog Parks 

Section 6 

What Else Can We Do at a Dog Park? 

Section 7 

Creating Dog Parks Without Rancor 

Section 8 

AKC Guide to Establishing a Dog Park 

1

MURPHYSBORO DOG PARK BASIC PLAN

1. Location: A. Curwood property in the 300 block on north 19th street.

2. Fencing A. Existing chain-link with some minor areas requiring repair. B. Divider to allow for separate areas for large dogs and small dogs. (Small dog side usually has 30 lb limit and is ~1/4 size of large dog size) 3. Gate/ entryway A. Apply for Smysor grant to fund entry and fencing for dividing areas. B. Self-closing, double-gated prevents escapes and facilitates wheelchair access. C. Should be separate gates to small and large dog enclosures. D. Keep gate out of corners to prevent dogs and owners from being cornered. E. Public access. 4. Surface A. Grass Soft (on running, skidding dog pads, falling humans), aesthetically pleasing.

a. Strong drought- and wear-resistant varieties preferred. b. May attract insects (maintain as needed).

B. Decomposed granite (DG) a. Sterile, fine consistency, often used to create paths or in areas of

heavy activity (e.g. entryways) also at water fountain area. C. Drainage

1. Prevent mud puddles, accumulation of urine, etc., throughout park, which stress ground cover.

2. Important near water fountains. 5. Landscaping A. Plant trees, ask for donations from local nurseries.

6. Water fountains A. One in each area and one for people. Funding from various fund raising projects. 7. Benches: A. Ask local veterinarians to purchase a bench in exchange for their name or

advertising on bench. B. Place away from entrances to avoid concentrating activity there. C. Surface should not allow for appendages to get stuck (e.g. in narrow slots typical of

park benches)

2

MURPHYSBORO DOG PARK BASIC PLAN (cont)

8. Parking A. On street parking currently available. B. Possibility of using Curwood parking lot? 9. Accessibility A. Comply with American Disabilities Act requirements. B. User-friendly. 10. Waste receptacles A. Placed at various locations throughout park and near entrance. 11. Doggie Doo Bags and dispensers

A. Talk with S.T.A.R.T. about making the dispenser boxes as a donation. B. Talk with business on the north side of property about making bio-degradable bags as a donation or reduced cost.

12. Signage- located near entrance A. Clear, concise, aesthetically pleasing. B. Specify park hours and rules of entry. 13. Lighting, not necessary due to park hours of use

Future Wish List from fund raising efforts A. Bulletin board- located near entrance

1. Area for park users to post notices, as well as locked portion for city/ park group notices.

2. Used for pamphlets (e.g. dog park behavior tips, rule explanations), event listings, park group information, etc.

B. Sprinkler System C. Digging area- to prevent dogs from digging holes in rest of park D. Exercise accessories/ agility equipment.

    1 

 

Dog Park Benefits to Murphysboro

Dog parks provide a place where dogs and puppies can play together off-leash. Dog parks create a greater sense of community by bringing people together. “People’s love for dogs creates an important, common ground, which if by magic, serves to break down otherwise impenetrable social and economic barriers.” In an era where citizens are often reluctant or afraid to start a conversation with strangers, dog parks bring people together. After opening a dog park in Seattle, the park was so successful, a city official dubbed it “the singles’ bar of the 90’s”

Dog parks aide in population growth of their community by attracting new citizens. Communities with safe, legal and enclosed dog parks tend to be more upscale. “A playground for dogs is one of the hot items on the “must have” list for house hunters, according to a survey on emerging housing trends”

The closest dog parks to Murphysboro are O’Fallon and Swansea. Belleville included a community survey in their 2007 Parks, Recreation and Greenways Master Plan. One of the questions in this survey was “Which activities do you think the Parks and Recreation Department should provide more of?” The number one response was walking/jogging areas with a 63.0% response. The number two response was dog parks with 52.7% response. They will have a dog park opening in 2009.

Dog parks aide in property value increases. “A nearby dog park raises property values and makes your neighborhood more desirable to homebuyers.”

Murphysboro must engage in finding creative and inexpensive amenities for their citizens and tax payers. Dog owners represent a large constituency group who would benefit from a dog park.

Dog parks aide in tourism. Numerous websites and books are published directories by State, of communities having dog parks. This is free advertizing for Murphysboro. A Google search for Illinois dog parks will give pages and pages (2,090,000 as of Sep 4, 2008) of results for directories of dog parks and city posted dog park web sites. One example is the Illinois Dog Travel Guide. While Carbondale does not have a dog park, their city is listed as having three dog friendly hotels. Folks traveling with their dog(s) seek out communities with amenities for dogs. If someone had a choice of staying in Carbondale with only dog friendly hotels or coming to Murphysboro who has a dog park, they will contact our local lodging asking if they allow dogs. They will much rather stay in a community that welcomes their dog and provides a safe off-leash area to play. Even if they just come over to visit our dog park, they are more than likely to spend money at a gas station or restaurant. These same visitors will spread the word to others about their visit to our city and our dog park.

    2 

 

Another tourism draw could be annual dog shows hosted at our dog park. The Sausalito, Ca Dog Park is the home of champion dog shows as well as mixed breed shows. Dog parks are also an ideal place to conduct dog obedience and puppy socialization classes.

Crime is deterred in neighborhoods where dog parks are located. The presences of groups of dog owners (and their dogs) act as the eyes and ears for the police like a neighborhood watch program. The foot traffic to and from the park discourages the opportunity for unseen crimes. Many communities have placed dog parks in more than marginal crime areas and have seen a dramatic decrease in crime and drug activity.

Dog parks aide in the enforcement of leash laws. With a dog park there is no excuse to allow your dog to run loose in your neighborhood.

Properly exercised and socialized dogs make better neighbors. When dogs get enough exercise by playing in an enclosed park, they are less likely to create a nuisance with barking and destroying property. Pedestrians, joggers and people who are afraid of dogs, benefit from the well behaved dog. Dog owners who do not walk their dog also benefit from the exercise and socialization. Dogs that run off excess energy are less aggressive. Contrary to popular belief, dogs who are running and playing with our dogs do not bark incessantly creating a noise issue from the dog park.

“One measure of an under-socialized dog population or lack of responsible dog ownership is the rate of reported dog bite incidents. There is no clear relationship between a large dog population and an increased likelihood of dog bites. However, studies conducted in California have shown that, of two communities with equal sized dog populations, the community without a dog off-leash area reported the larger number of dog bites. As a matter of fact, communities with off-leash areas for dogs typically report dog bite rates that are less than sixty percent of the national average!”

Resources:

DogParks USA, Susyn Stecchi. 1997-2207

Who Let The Dogs Out, James Krohe, Jr, Kansas City, Mo, http://waldodogpark.com/id5.html

Establishing a Dog Park in Your Community, American Kennel Club, http://www.akc.org/canine_legislation/dogpark.cfm

Creating Dog Parks Without Rancor, The Trust for Public Land, www.tpl.org

Home Buyers Search for a Playground for Fido, Reuters, Reuters Life, http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL0545614220070405

Friends of Sausalito Dog Park, http://sausalitodogpark.org/index.htm 

Welcome to Friends of Murphysboro’s Dog Park

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

These Are The Rules ----- With the Bark On It!

By entering this facility, you are agreeing to obey the following rules and regulations. Failure to abide by the park

rules may result in loss of privileges or owners may be ticketed. Violators will be subject to removal from the park

and suspension of park privileges.

Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by them. Users of this facility do so at their own risk. The City of Murphysboro shall NOT be liable for any injury or damage caused by any dog in the off-leash area or any injury incurred while using this facility.

• Maximum of 2 dogs per handler. Handlers must be a minimum 16 years of age. • • Puppies and dogs must be properly licensed, up-to-date vaccinations and healthy. Proof of a

current rabies vaccination and license is required upon request of a police or animal control officer or a Friends of Murphysboro Dog Park Committee Person. Tags may serve as proof.

• Animals should wear a collar and ID tags at all times.

• Owners must clean up after their dogs. Seal feces waste in the provided plastic bags before disposing in designated receptacles.

• Fill any holes your dog digs. • Aggressive dogs are not permitted on the premises. Dogs showing aggression towards people

or other animals will be removed from the park. Animals who exhibit a history of aggressive behavior will not be permitted.

• For the safety of your dog(s) and other park visitors, choke, prong (pinch) and spike collars are strictly prohibited. If you use these types of collars, remove them before entering the park.

• • All off-leash dogs must be under voice control of their owners. If you cannot control your dog

off leash, keep your pet leashed at all times.

• Puppies using the park must be at least four months old.

• Owners must not leave their dog(s) unattended or allowed out of sight.

• Dogs in heat will not be allowed inside the park.

• Please do not bring dog food or human food into the park. Small dog treats are permitted.

• Owners must carry a leash at all times.

• Dogs must be leashed before entering and prior to leaving the park.

• No Children under the age of 16 permitted unless accompanied by an adult. Children have a tendency to scream and run when excited, which can trigger a dog's prey drive or natural instinct to chase. For this reason and for the safety of your children, we do not allow unaccompanied children under the age of 16.

ADDITONAL INFORMATION WE MAY WANT TO USE

• In addition to the official dog park rules, here are some other things you should consider to help make you and your dog's, visit to the dog park a success.

• First time users should consider coming at off-peak times for their initial visit. Ask questions of those people inside the fence about how to ease your dog's initial stress of entering for the first time. At times, the park can become quite crowded. If you are not sure how your dog will react to the current conditions, don't put pressure on your dog by forcing it into what it thinks is a threatening situation. Instead, come back at another time when it is less crowded.(See" Your First Visit.)

• If entering or leaving the off-leash area, do not enter the double-gated transition area if there is already someone in that area. This will eliminate the possibility of both gates being open at the same time.

• Place your dog off leash in the transition area before entering the unleashed area. Some dogs can feel threatened if they are leashed in the presence of unleashed dogs.

• Quickly move away from the entrance area as you enter. That will help disperse the group of dogs that will come over to welcome your dog to the park. Move away from the fence so that your dog will not feel cornered or threatened. This will lessen the problem caused when several off leash dogs, already in the park, come running over to greet the new arrival, perhaps overwhelming the arriving dog.

• One of our primary goals is to socialize our dogs to have good manners. We should practice what we preach and always be considerate of others and YOUR dog park will be an enjoyable, healthy, educational experience for handlers and dogs.

• If any dog becomes aggressive or disruptive, the responsible handler will remove the dog from the fenced area until socialization measures can be undertaken.

• ALWAYS SCOOP YOUR DOG'S POOP!!! This is the complaint heard most often from opponents of dog park proposals. Bags are provided, use them! Also, please help with "Orphan Poop." You will occasionally miss some of your dog's poop and our continued use of this type of public amenity will depend on our control of this issue!!!

• Keep your dog leashed at all times while outside the fenced dog park area. Even if your pet is under perfect voice control, many non-dog people have fears and any dog off-leash outside the fenced area violates the County's Leash Law.

• Please clean up YOUR park! Trash, cigarette butts, and anything else on the ground may end up in a dog's mouth. Before you drop something on the ground, ask yourself, "Would I want my dog to eat this?" We must all work to keep our park clean.

• All dog handlers must provide proof of current vaccinations. Your dog must have a collar or harness that includes a rabies tag and a Boone County Dog License.. It is also an excellent idea to have an ID tag on the collar or harness as well. If your animal does not have proof of a rabies vaccination and license, you may be asked to leave the park.

• Remember that choke, prong, or spiked collars are not allowed inside the off-leash area. Each of these collar types can result in injury to its wearer, another dog, or a person depending on the situation. If a choke collar gets hung on something while running, its wearer can become choked. Some dogs, while playing, like to softly bite the back of another dog's neck. Dogs wearing prong collars receive a much stronger bite during this type of play while dogs wearing spiked collars can inflict injury.

• Be a responsible dog handler. If your pet has a contagious condition, stay away until a Vet has said that there is no danger to other dogs. The "Golden Rule" applies here! Legally, only a rabies vaccination is required to enter the dog park; however, you may wish to consult with your veterinarian to get advice on other vaccinations such as Bordatella (Kennel Cough), Distemper, Parvo, etc. Don't forget heartworm protection!

Each handler is legally responsible for his or her dog, and the City of Murphysboro will assume no responsibility for any injuries to humans or animals; therefore, each handler is responsible for supervision of his or her animal. All handlers must remain in the park with their dog at all times.

• Children who are at least 16 years of age are welcome - however, child's play is not. This is a playground for dogs, not children. Be sure you teach your child how to behave properly in a dog park environment. Playful, unsupervised children and playful, unleashed dogs mixed together could result in injury. Please understand that this area is provided for dogs to interact with other dogs and that your child could be considered an interruption in dog play.

• Many dogs will be experiencing the off-leash environment for the first time and may not be used to the experience. Please watch your dog closely. If your dog acts aggressively, please put the dog on a leash immediately and let the animal "cool down". It takes time for a new dog to become comfortable with the fact that other dogs all share the neutral environment. Keep in mind that everyone at the park wants the same thing - socialized dogs that can have fun together. If you are not sure how your dog will react, try to come to the park when few other dogs are there to keep the intimidation level as low as possible.

• You may wish to keep your first visit to the dog park rather short to minimize the stress on your pup. Leaving early when your dog is having a good time will make it more likely that your dog will be anxious to return for subsequent visits.

• No bare feet please! Some types of worms can enter your body through the soles of your feet. Are you absolutely certain that every dog in the dog park is worm-free?

• Keep your head on a swivel at all times as there will likely be groups of dogs running around the park and having fun. People standing around are obstructions. A dog being chased may try to run its pursuer into a person in order to gain an advantage. Stay alert!

• Do not bring human food to the dog park. Small dog treats are acceptable since that's what one uses to train a dog; however, human food or long-lasting dog chews should not be brought into the off-leash area. Many dogs are on diets to keep their weight under control. A normally well-behaved dog can jump at or lunge for food, especially tasty human food, when hungry. Also, do not give any treats to a dog without first checking with the dog's owner to see if that would be permissible. Some dogs have food allergies and that treat might make a dog ill.

• The Murphysboro Dog Park Committee wants to help make YOUR dog park a success. If you have questions, suggestions, problems, or problems; please contact the

OFF LEASH DOG AREA RULES

1. The off-leash dog area is for dogs, their handlers and those accompanying them. No other use is allowed.

2. All dogs must be legally licensed and vaccinated, and shall wear a visible dog license.

3. Dogs under 4 months of age and female dogs in heat are prohibited. 4. Dogs must be on leash when entering and exiting the off-leash dog

area. 5. Dogs must be under the control of their handler and in view of their

handler at all times. 6. Spiked collars are prohibited. 7. Children 8 years and under are not allowed in the off-leash dog area;

children ages 9 - 15 years must be accompanied by an adult. 8. Handlers must be 16 years of age or older. 9. Handlers must have possession of the dog leash at all times. 10. Handler is limited to a maximum of two dogs. 11. Handlers must "scoop the poop" and fill any holes dug by dogs under

their control. 12. Food and drinks in glass containers are prohibited; training treats are

allowed. 13. Dogs must be removed from the off-leash dog area at the first sign of aggression.

County Park Authority shall be liable for any injury or damage caused by any dog in the off-leash area.

14. No animals other than dogs shall be permitted in the area. 15. Handlers are responsible for any injuries caused by the dog(s) under their control. 16. Users of the facility do so at their own risk. Neither Fairfax County nor the Fairfax

Well-Organized Off-Leash Friends.....WOOF! Dog Park as Amenity WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? By James Krohe, Jr. Towns are scrambling to provide the newest amenity dog parks. Build it, and they will come, says Craig Foreman, manager of park planning and development for the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. In packs. Dog parks-dog runs, or off-leash areas, pooch parks, paw parks where canines can frolic under the supervision of their owners, have gone from controversy to commonplace in about 15 years. Today, these tot lots for pets have become standard items in local inventories of recreation resources. The story of how they came about marks a new chapter in the long social relationship between dog and human. Where it Started The tale starts with the widespread adoption of leash laws in the 1980s, a phenomenon that turned many dog owners into lawbreakers and planning activists. For many owners, running dogs unleashed are a justifiable act of civil disobedience. What is thought to be the nation’s first officially sanctioned dog park was opened by the city of Berkeley in1983 in response to the appropriation of a city owned vacant lot by off-leash activists. Located with Ohlone Park and formally named the Martha Scott Benedict Dog Park, it is popularly known as the Ohlone Dog Park. Dog park activism in the Seattle area also dates from the 1980s, when King County unveiled a master plan for its parks that would have required all four-legged visitors to be leashed. The resulting protests led parks officials to set aside 40 acres of the mile-square Marymoor Park in Redmond as one of the region’s first official off-leash areas. Activists in the city of Seattle itself have had plenty to bark about as well. In the 1990s, when the number of local leash-law citations shot up in one year from 300 to 1,200, dog owners formed COLA (Citizens for Off-Leash Areas), the force behind the opening of Seattle’s nine dog parks. Since the mid-1990s, hundreds of dog parks have popped up across the country. No one has an accurate, up-to-the-minute count, but activists have cataloged more than 600, and the number is growing. Most of these facilities owe their existence to the organized efforts of local dog owners.

1

Websites devoted to the topic, such as dogpark.com and thebark.com, list dozens of groups, including KC Scoop (Kansas City Society of Canine Owners for an Off-Leash Park) and ROMP, or Responsible Owners Of Mannerly Pets in the Twin cities of Minnesota (Manners still count in the Midwest.) Their members lobby local agencies for dog parks; act as stewards of existing parks; and attempt to educate, or at least calm, those citizens who don’t like the idea of dog parks in their neighborhoods. Pro and Con

Advocates argue that dog parks offer a variety of public benefits. They note, for instance, that dog parks are a way to ensure safety in marginal public spaces. As examples, they cite Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles, downtown Seattle’s Regrade Park, and Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., three places where the presence of eager dog owners and their animals have driven drug dealers out of a park. Dog parks have certainly reduced law-breaking by dog owners. Chris Girard of the Parks and Open Space division in Eugene, Oregon, tells a familiar tale of owners ignoring leash laws because they had no place to exercise their animals legally. People always ask us, “ Where can I go to run my dog? “ Now we can tell them: Here and here and here. It was a very wise move to go in that direction. For opponents, traffic is a predictable concern. Barking and biting (of both dogs and people) are common worries, although usually unfounded, or at least exaggerated. Not exaggerated is what everyone calls the poop problem, which is why publicity-conscious dog groups universally devote themselves to volunteer clean-ups. The demand for dog parks means that park planners must slice the recreation pie into ever-smaller pieces, which naturally leaves everyone at the table a bit cranky. In 1969, Berkeley adopted a master plan that set aside a sealed 1950s landfill for unstructured recreation. This new North Waterfront Park (later renamed to honor Cesar Chavez) opened in the early 1990s. The site was coveted by diverse interests devoted to an array of distinctive local activities, including windsurfing and Aztec sun god worshipping. A special city council task force recommendation to use part of the park as an off-leash area touched off an eight-year (more than 50 dog years) round of public hearings and review by various commissions. In most cities, the process has been less contentious. Proponents of a dog park in Cincinnati went to the park board with their idea. In response, says Steven Schuckman, the board’s superintendent of planning and design, the staff organized a small citizen committee to look at potential sites. This process led to the selection of a two-acre plot site in Mt. Airy Forest. It was essentially the same land-use and parks planning process we use any time a new idea comes up, says Schuckman. Dogs do present some unique planning issues, however. In some cases, existing dog control rules must be amended to allow off-leash exercise. For example, a 1.3 acre off-leash exercise area is planned for Hermon Park in the struggling Hermon/Monterey Hills section of northeast Los Angeles. Like the city’s six other dog parks, this one will have to be designated as a dog exercise and training area by park commissioners and approved by city council ordinance. The plan went out for public comment last October. Bigger is Better A consensus is emerging about what makes a good dog park. When it comes to size, the bigger the better, says Eugene’s Chris Girard. An acre is the minimum recommended by experienced managers, although at Prairie Moraine Park, a 160-acre oak savanna undergoing restoration in Dane County, Wisconsin, near Madison, dogs may run unfettered on fully 80 acres of fence land set aside for them. Space is not the only consideration. Virtually every park requires that owners keep their dogs in sight and under voice control, although not all do, or even can. For safety’s sake, a good dog park will not be situated next to a busy street unless it is separated from it by dog-proof barriers.

2

In parks with enough acreage to allow land to be used exclusively for the purpose, off-leash areas are now almost always enclosed by permanent fencing or dense vegetation. Experts say these barriers should be four to six feet high to keep leaping dogs confined. In smaller neighborhood parks, where a permanently fenced dog run would preclude other uses, segregation is achieved by schedules rather than fences. Dogs can play tough, which is why most park agencies with experience of such facilities say that dog exercise areas should not include a playground or other children’s facility. Some bar young children from such areas altogether. Nor should dog parks be situated next to sensitive wildlife areas or gardens. But setting aside land and putting a fence around it is not enough, says Britta Herwig, a project manager for the Denver parks pilot dog park program, now underway. A good dog park must meet the same physical requirements as any active recreation area. It should feature sound turf that is well-drained, be wheelchair-accessible, offer nearby parking, and be equipped with covered garbage cans that are emptied regularly. In California, the Marin Humane Society, whose criteria for the ideal dog park are widely cited as authoritative, also recommends that the site offer shade and water for the animals and benches for the humans. Some recommended amenities are unique to the dog park. One is the pooper scooper station, offering bags and containers for disposal. Where space allows it, a dog park also should have separate areas for large and small dogs. Another useful feature is the double-gated entrance that provides a transition zone in which dogs can begin adjusting to the presence of other dogs. The more advanced parks offer wash-down stations. Poway Dog Park in Poway Community Park in San Diego County is outfitted with a retired fire hydrant that, in the words of the Poway Community Services Department, acts as a post office for canine mail. Rules and Regs A decade of experience has resulted in a consensus on dog park operating rules. Typically, visiting dogs must be licensed and have had all their shots. Many agencies further stipulate that owners may not bring puppies, or dogs that are in heat, or more than three dogs at one time. Other rules: Dogs should be leashed in parking areas and, even in off-leash areas, must be under voice control of their owners. Owners must always carry a leash so that dogs showing aggressiveness towards people or other dogs can be restrained immediately. Owners must clean up after their dogs and must stop them from digging (immediately filling in any holes created when they do). As for enforcement, most park agencies rely substantially on dog lovers themselves. Self-policing is the rule, and it usually works. Indeed, the involvement of a committed user group is perhaps the crucial ingredient in the successful dog park. Typical is northern California’s Point Isabel Dog Owners and Friends (PIDO), which works with the East Bay Regional Park District to maintain a 21-acre off-leash park in Richmond. PIDO raises money from membership fees, donations, and shirt sales to buy the biodegradable bags it provides jointly with the park district, and to print brochures instructing park users on the dog rules and etiquette. Point Isabel’s park attracts an estimated one million dog visits each year. Often the responsibilities of such groups go beyond fundraising and clean-up to park management. Huntington Beach, between Los Angeles and San Diego, is the site of the mile-long Dog Beach, run by the nonprofit Preservation Society of Huntington Beach.

3

4

In Washington State, Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) a 501(c) (3) nonprofit stewards Seattle’s off-leash areas for the Department of Parks and Recreation under the terms of a 1997 agreement with the city. Across Puget Sounds, a new 30-acre dog park in rural south Kitsap County operates on county park land but is managed by Kitsap Dog Park, Inc., a nonprofit organization. Once housebroken, so to speak, a dog park usually becomes the best argument for more dog parks. Dogs in parks tend to bark less than confined ones. Dog fights are rare, in part because an unconfined dog ceases to see a particular patch of ground as a territory that must be defended. There is probably less aggression in a well-managed dog park than at many Little League baseball or youth soccer matches. Too Much of a Good Thing The most common problem with dog parks is that they tend to be too popular. Too few facilities for the demand means that the ones that are open tend to be overused. Even when there’s a will to open more parks, the land is not always there. So it’s no surprise that many dog parks are opening on new land. Converted landfills, such as those that host parks in Berkeley, California, and Brookline, Massachusetts, are naturals for this use. Dog owners in St. Louis’s Central West End neighborhood are exploring the possibility of buying a former gas station from the city and installing a dog park on the site. Dog parks are also a way to make better use of underused recreation land. In Highland Park, Illinois, north of Chicago, a public golf driving range is opened as an off-leash area from November to March. Contributions toward basic construction costs are not uncommon. The Chicago Park District asked the South Loop Dog Park Action Co-op to contribute $75,000 of the $150,000 it is expected to cost to equip the dog park planned to debut in Grand Park this spring, consistent with the district’s new dog park funding policy. In Half Moon Bay, California, a temporary dog park has been operating on city land since 2001, with local dog owners covering all construction (including fencing) and maintenance costs. In some cities, frustrated dog owners have come up with their own solutions. Activists in St. Louis operate two temporary, member-only dog parks on land awaiting development that they have leased from its owners. In Washington, D.C., dog owners are allowed to exercise dogs on the grounds of Congressional Cemetery, the historic private burial ground southeast of the Capitol, if they join (for $125) the K-9 Corps of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery and pay an additional fee of $40 per dog. The dead are among those not bothered by romping dogs, and the fees supply a substantial share of the money needed to maintain the nearly 200-year-old graveyard. However the facilities are provided, demand seems unlikely to abate. The rapid acceptance of the dog park idea has been remarkable. A century ago, playgrounds for children were not adopted with any more speed. Its interesting says Cincinnati’s Steven Schuckman, that in the development of new parks as well as in master planning for existing parks; we now consider dog parks as a typical kind of park used. We think it’s wonderful, says Fort Collins’s Foreman. It used to be, A parks gotta have ball fields. Now it’s, You gotta have a dog park. Jim Krohe is a writer in the Chicago area and the author of a forthcoming guide to Illinois history and culture. (Reprinted with permission of the author)

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City of O'Fallon, IL New Dog Park Grand Opening - May 28, 2008

A Weekly Note from Mayor Gary L. Graham “Traditional Values, Progressive Thinking”

I am very pleased to announce that a new Dog Park has been added to Rock Springs Park. The grand opening for this new amenity will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 9 a.m. Residents are encouraged to come out to Rock Springs Park, bring your dogs and celebrate the opening of this new facility.

During the celebration, there will be games and attendance prizes for both dogs and their owners. In addition, Spencer Kennel and Four Paws Animal Hospital will both have representatives available at the event to answer any questions event goers may have. The new Dog Park is approximately 1.5 acres and is located in the northeast field area of Rock Springs Park. The area is fenced and dogs will be allowed “off leash” to socialize and exercise while in this area. Pet owners will be required to adhere to the rules of the new area, which will be clearly posted. The new Dog Park will be open to all types of dogs and for everyone who wishes to use it. All other areas in Rock Springs Park will still require dogs to be on a leash. Many families in O’Fallon have pets that are considered an important part of their family. The new Dog Park will allow families to spend time outdoors with their pets in a setting that is healthy for everyone involved. The Dog Park was made possible because of O’Fallon Boy Scout Trevor Lear’s dedication. Additional amenities such as benches and a water fountain will be added to the new Dog Park as funds become available. If you are interested in helping with further development of this new facility, the O’Fallon Park & Recreation Foundation welcomes your tax- deductible donations. For more information, please contact Parks & Recreation at 624-0139. The grand opening of the new Dog Park is an event you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 7, bring your family out to Rock Springs Park and let your pet enjoy new freedom in the Dog Park! The strong working relationship between City Hall and the residents we serve is another example of why O’Fallon is such a great community in which to live.

Welcome to the O’Fallon Dog Park, Off Leash Area!

Please adhere to the following rules and help to keep your pet area clean, attractive and fun for all of our users:

• Park hours are Sunrise to Sunset. • Maintenance shall be performed each Friday morning, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00

p.m., and visitors may be asked to leave the area at that time to allow mowing of the turf in a safe manner.

• All dogs must wear their current license tag and be up to date on its shots. • No dogs under 4 months of age will be allowed in the area. • All dogs outside of the off-leash area must remain on the leash at all times. • Dogs should be under control of their handler and in view of their handler at all

times. • Handlers are responsible for any injuries caused by the dogs under their control. • Handlers shall have no more than 2 dogs present per visit. • Be considerate of others: pick up dog feces & dispose of in the nearby trash

receptacles promptly. • Cover any holes that your dog may dig. • Female dogs in heat shall not be brought to the dog park. • Refrain from bringing food or rawhide into the area, as it may cause dogs to fight

or become aggressive. Training treats will be allowed. • Aggressive dogs will not be tolerated and will be asked to leave the area

immediately. • Choke collars and spike collars are not permitted. • For safety reasons, children must be at least ten years of age to use the park and

they must be closely supervised. • Users of this facility do so at their own risk. The City of O’Fallon shall not be

held responsible for any injury or damage caused by any dog in the Off Leash Area.

Comments can be offered to the O’Fallon Parks & Recreation Department at 624-0139.

In case of emergency please contact the O’Fallon Police Department at 624-4545 or 911.

 

KANSAS CITY MISSIOURI

 

By Peter Harnik and Cerise Bridges

DOG PARKS UNLEASHED! That’s how a tabloid might cover it. Or, just as plausibly, FIDO FINALLY GETS TO PLAY! Either way, the hottest new city park issue to hit America -- the skyrocketing support for creating places to let dogs run free has been challenging park directors, roiling communities and making headlines.

Dogs have always played a big role in city parks, but their traditional position at the end of a lead has been upended by changing mores and a rising enthusiasm among dog owners for much more active play.

By one estimate there are now at least 2,000 off-leash dog areas, ranging from small parks entirely devoted to canines to substantial corners of larger green spaces—and the number is growing exponentially. From Berkeley, Calif. (site of reputedly the nation’s first, in 1983) to San Antonio and Atlanta (which each opened their first only in 2003), the issue has provoked excitement and furor, with raucous public hearings sometimes running well past midnight. Interestingly, in some cases the dog park issue has badly fragmented a city while in others it has been resolved harmoniously, even adding potency to the park constituency. Why the difference?

In a crowded city where almost every square foot is precious, it’s not easy for a park department to announce that some of its land will be devoted to free-running dogs. To some folks that sounds like “your dogs over my children.” But from the other side of the fence, the reaction is equally strong: “My kid happens to be a dog. We all pay taxes here, don’t we?”

Of all the clashes, nowhere has it gotten as bad as in San Francisco, a city with multiple park agencies and as many dogs as children.

In the 1970s, an off-leash culture began on some of the chilly, foggy and remote San Francisco beaches operated by the National Park Service. Initially, removing leashes was illegal because of a blanket prohibition on all Park Service land, but a special advisory group recommended an exception for portions of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Not everyone in the city approved, but it did provide an escape valve to keep off-leash dogs from running in more heavily used places like Golden Gate Park or Union Square. Then, in 2001 park naturalists realized that the populations of two threatened beach birds, the snowy plover and the bank swallow, were dropping rapidly and that it was probably due to the unleashed dogs. Suddenly park police began enforcing the leash law and handing out expensive tickets. Just as suddenly, owners began to take their pets to much smaller and more centrally located neighborhood parks run by the city park department.

In San Francisco, the second most densely populated city in the nation (after New York), even quarter-acre patches of green are dearly loved and heavily used. If one of them is suddenly peppered with dog droppings, or if someone is bitten while sunbathing, or if mothers start screaming at the owner of an off-leash dog, the whole city quickly hears about it. Perceiving a lack of leadership (the city has two park agencies which rarely communicate, plus the mayor and the city council are usually at odds), every park became a battleground. Both sides dug in, roiled by both the media and a number of grandstanding politicians. Ultimately, the Park Service brought in two organizations, the Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and the Center for Collaborative Policy, to conduct a “negotiated rule making process,” a formal consensus approach to problem solving. There are early indications that San Francisco’s off-leash dog battle might eventually be amenable to a negotiation, but this particular process is federally mandated and, as such, is so bureaucratic that it can easily take years.

 

When asked if he was surprised that a dog park issue has gone so far, Mike Eng, a senior program manager with the conflict resolution institute was appropriately diplomatic. “On the grand scale of environmental conflicts we deal with, this is low,” he said, “but with the emotional attachments people have for their dogs, it is understandable.” Perhaps the real wonder should be reserved for Seattle, 1000 miles to the north, which made the civic transition to dog parks with relative ease and polish. Seattle, too, was hit by the off-leash trend in the early 1990s and, after complaints escalated, the city initially took a hard-line approach, adding more animal control officers and increasing the number of citations. Concerned about where the policy would lead, dog owners formed Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) and caught the attention of a city council member. The Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation was not the least bit enthusiastic, but COLA helped identify about 70 possible off-leash sites and the City Council mandated a 15-month pilot program at eight of them in 1996. The pilot program made all the difference. First, it showed residents that the city was in charge and acting reasonably. Second, it taught Seattle how to identify site selection criteria that would lead to successful locations, which turned out to be: (1) avoid interference with other established uses or department-sponsored activities; (2) avoid locations directly abutting residences; (3) assure availability of close-by parking; (4) avoid locations near children’s play areas; (4) choose spots where there are minimal impacts on the visual character of a park; (5) site so as to avoid spillover into non-dog areas; and (6) avoid sensitive environmental habitats.

Seattle also learned something else. “Try to find property with no history,” says Dewey Potter, spokeswoman for the park department. “It’s a lot easier than persuading people to change a field’s use into something different.”

Thanks to a phased-in program by a no-nonsense agency that backed up its promises with both real facilities in some places and tickets in others, Seattle’s program today is “wildly successful,” according to Potter. In fact, dogs in Seattle have even helped reclaim some parks from illegal users: in 1995, when police reported a high volume of unlawful alcohol, drug and sexual activity in three particular parks, the park department converted them to pilot off-leash areas and criminal activity soon evaporated. There’s no doubt that off-leash areas are good for dogs and their owners. The dogs can run and cavort; the humans can stand or sit, talk or read, watch and provide comfort, if necessary. It’s pretty similar to a children’s playground and just about as much fun, even for non-dog owning passers-by who often stand at the fence and enjoy all the activity. The more enterprising sites even have playground-like props and accoutrements - sprinklers, fake fire hydrants, wading pools, bridges, tunnels and more - often in bright, primary colors (even though dogs are largely color-blind). When dogs run off excess energy they become less aggressive. When people socialize they often strengthen their community. In Seattle, off-leash areas were so successful that one pundit dubbed them “the singles’ bars of the 90s.”

 

 

There’s also no doubt that nearby neighbors are often less enthusiastic. As with playgrounds, noise is a factor, and most people have less tolerance for barking than for children’s delighted shrieks. Dog parks also take a physical beating. Even beyond issues of droppings and urine, there is no way to keep grass green, growing and healthy on any dog park smaller than about 15 acres, according to Don Colvin at Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation. Thus, most dog parks are surfaced with shredded bark, pebbles, and synthetic materials - or, de facto, with mud and dust.

Robert E. Lee Park, in Baltimore, exemplifies the range of problems - environmental and otherwise—which can arise on an inadequately planned and managed space. Lee is not officially a dog park, but because of its relative remoteness and a lack of enforcement, it has become a popular one. “Overrun,” is how one user put it. “Families used to come to picnic, but that’s out of the question now with all the dogs running around,” he said. When the city announced that it would close the park for a year to reconstruct a bridge and to remediate soil that it said was contaminated by the dogs, owners engaged in what park Superintendent Connie Brown called “civil disobedience,” cutting fences and circumventing welded steel bars. When a local citizen group pleaded for the creation of a fenced off-leash area within Robert E. Lee Park, the park department deferred the issue until a policy on off-leash areas can be established. Baltimore is a classic case of a city without an off-leash policy, without a plan of action, without criteria and without enforcement—there are only two animal control officers for 650,000 residents.

The story from Atlanta’s Piedmont Park had a happier ending. There, too, an out-of-the-way portion of the 185-acre park had evolved into an illegal but popular off-leash gathering spot. When it came time to renovate that section of the park, the Piedmont Park Conservancy realized it would have to confront the issue head-on or risk a Baltimore-like uprising. Fortuitously, a solution was at hand. Piedmont Park has a number of undeveloped, unusable sections which have never evolved a culture or a user constituency. One, down in a valley shielded by trees and tracks from earshot of most homes, had recently been renovated. It was there that conservancy staff, relying entirely on donations from dog lovers, erected a fence and posted rules. It has become one of the most frequented areas of the park and operates virtually around the clock. “Atlanta has no other dog park,” said conservancy Development Director Kendra Cotton. “It was so desperately needed that people treat it as a gift, and take care of it.” (The facility is basically self-policed by users, although after a pit bull killed a miniature pincher, the two-acre park was divided into sections based on canine size and weight, and a security patrol was added. The conservancy is also considering instituting a temperament test for dogs.) The cutting edge in off-leash management is to do a dog park without a fence. This is relatively common in some of the sprawling cities of the west and southwest, such as Colorado Springs and Portland, Ore. Surprisingly, it’s also the rule in New York City’s Prospect Park.

 

Prospect Park is a 526-acre oasis in the heart of Brooklyn, one of the most densely populated places in America. Today it is a manicured delight of forest and field, but in the 1970s it was in shambles, a dangerous no-man’s land where dogs were both a problem and a source of protection, and many of them were off-leash. With the creation of the Prospect Park Alliance and the successful effort to turn the park around, Tupper Thomas, park administrator, decided to add some structure to the chaotic situation. But she used the clock and the sign, not the fence. She allowed leash-free only in the morning and evening - and dog owners who didn’t comply began receiving costly citations. She also stressed that taking off the leash was a privilege, not a right, and it could be taken away if there were problems. To defuse a potentially explosive situation, advocates formed Fellowship in the Interest of Dogs and Owners (FIDO) to maintain good communication with the park staff and to support self-enforcement of the rules. FIDO is now part of a community committee on park policy.

Specifically, here are the rules: from April 1 to October 31, off-leash dogs are permitted from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. in three specific places -- Long Meadow, Peninsula Meadow and the Nethermead - which total an amazing 116 acres; in Nethermead they are also permitted from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., but only Monday through Friday. From November 1 to March 31, the off-leash hours for all three areas are 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. seven days a week. Josephine Pittari, vice president of the Alliance, reports that off-leash problems are minimal; she attributes the program’s success to good communication between the park and dog owners. In addition to some signs, the Alliance aggressively gives out cards which state clearly the rules, hours and locations.

Perhaps a more typical response was in Milwaukee. When Citizens for Public Dog Parks brought up the issue in the early 1990s, the group was greeted with deep skepticism. The county board expressed concern about maintenance costs and about slotting county land for dogs. Eventually, creativity and persistence paid off - the group located a 26-acre backwater between a highway and a river that the county owned but had no plans for. But even then, the county put most of the weight of the experiment on the backs of the dog owners by leasing the land (for $1) instead of operating it as an official county park. When Granville Off-Leash Dog Park officially opened in the spring of 1999, Citizens for Public Dog Parks changed its name to Partners in Parks (PiP). The county agreed to pay half the $4,000 cost of fencing the area but it left all other expenses and management decisions to PIP, which subsists on voluntary contributions and memberships.

Fred Mennecke, board president of PiP, isn’t bitter. “Milwaukee County is not a very dog friendly area, but it also has budget problems. If it were known that the county put money into a dog park, all hell would break loose.” Despite its step-child status, Granville is a big success - possibly because of its dramatic landscape (stemming from the dumping of old construction fill that resulted in hills and wetlands with woods and trails), or possibly because it is still the only dog park in Milwaukee County.

  

 

In the long run, Milwaukee’s experience may be more telling than Prospect Park’s. Cities - Brooklyn included - need more parkland. Instead of cramming more users into existing parks, the search should be on for alternative places to take the leash off - preferably using the not insignificant political and economic clout of urban dog lovers. Dog parks can be established on vacant lots, on drainage detention sites or on former landfills. For instance, villagers in Weston, Wis., plan shortly to officially open their dog park on top of a former landfill that has been covered with topsoil and planted. They raised $7000 for fencing, benches, and a waste disposal center for the 10-acre facility. Berkeley’s Caesar Chavez Park, a closed landfill, designates 17 of its 90 acres as off-leash. (It’s now the largest dog park in the San Francisco Bay area.) Genessee Park in southeast Seattle, another newly sealed landfill, includes a 3-acre off-leash area and a ball field. (Staying true to the goal of choosing land with no previous park history, Seattle is also utilizing a fenced stormwater detention site for another off-leash spot called Blue Dog Pond.)

Though dog parks are in high demand, no park department has thus far taken the step of purchasing land for one. “I don’t think we’re there yet,” says Christine Weber of FIDO Carolina. “Normally, dog parks are added to an existing park or are part of the master plan for a new multi-purpose park.” Even parks on landfills, because they are usually quite large, are designed to meet a variety of recreational purposes.

The demand for dog parks is strong and growing. This trend has the capacity to add significant power to the general park movement - or it can create divisions that debilitate it. More so than any other new segment of the park user universe (infinitely more so than skateboarders, for instance), dog owners are a constituency with clout. (The U.S. “dog economy” is estimated at around $7.5 billion a year.) By communicating sensitively and by planning carefully together, park advocates of all stripes - including both dog lovers and haters - should be able to strengthen urban park systems across the board through better design, better space utilization and the acquisition of more land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                               

5580 Centerview DriveRaleigh, NC 27606-3390

AKC Web Site: www.akc.org

For more information, contactthe Canine Legislation Department

Phone: 919-816-3720Fax: 919-816-4275

E-Mail: doglaw@akc.org

Photos of Remington Dog Park, Sausalito, CA, by Vicky Cook

GLEG01 (7/04)

Establishing a

Dog Parkin Your Community

Establishing a

Dog Parkin Your Community

Table of ContentsWhat Is a Dog Park and How Does it Benefit the Community? 1

How to Build a Dog Park in Your Community 4

Dog Park Design 15

Rules and Regulations 16

Success Stories:

#1 Monmouth County, New Jersey 6

#2 Sarasota County, Florida 9

#3 Sausalito, California 11

#4 Tallahassee, Florida 12

Table of Contents

1

What Is a Dog Park and How Does It Benefit the

Community?With cities becoming more and more crowded and leash laws becoming more

restrictive, many concerned dog owners are looking to the creation of dog parksas a solution to their need for a place to spend quality time with their pets. Butjust what is a “dog park,” and what benefits can one bring to your city ortown?

A dog park is a public park, typically fenced, where people and their dogscan play together. Similarly, a dog run is a smaller fenced area, created for thesame use, that is often located within an existing park. As the names imply,these places offer dogs off-leash play areas where their owners can enjoy apark-like setting and the chance to socialize with other canines and theirowners. Dog parks, which are sometimes managed by park users in conjunctionwith city or town officials, are being established all over the country and offer awealth of benefits to dogs, dog owners and the community as a whole.

Dog parks offer canines and theirowners a safe place to socialize.

2 Establishing a Dog Park

More than just “room to roam,” the creation of a dog park . . .

Allows dogs to exercise and socialize safely. Puppies and adult dogs needroom to run, and enclosed play areas permit them to do so while preventingthem from endangering themselves and others (for example, by running into thepath of an oncoming vehicle). In addition, dogs who are accustomed to playingwith animals and people other than their owners are more likely to be well-socialized and react well toward strangers.

Promotes responsible dog ownership. Dog parks prevent off-leash animalsfrom infringing on the rights of other community residents and park users suchas joggers, small children, and those who may be fearful of dogs. Parks alsomake it easier for a city to enforce its leash laws, as resident dog owners with

Enclosed play areas for exercise makedogs better-adjusted neighbors.

3

park access have no reason to allow their canine companions off-leash whenoutside of the park.

Provides an outlet for dog owners to socialize. Dog parks are a greatplace for owners to meet other people with common interests. The love peopleshare for their dogs reaches beyond economic and social barriers and helpsfoster a sense of community. Park users also benefit from the opportunity toask questions of other owners and find solutions to problems they might behaving with their pet.

Makes for a better community by promoting public health and safety.Well-exercised dogs are better neighbors who are less likely to create anuisance, bark excessively and destroy property. Their presence in the park,along with their owners, also may help deter crime.

4 Establishing a Dog Park

How to Build a Dog Park in Your Community

By now you’ve recognized the need for a dog park in your area, and you’reeager to see one established. But how do you get started? The following aresome strategies for a successful campaign:

The First Steps . . .

Start with a core group of committed dog park activists. Talk with ahalf dozen other individuals who are concerned about the lack of off-leashspaces. These may be people you already know, or you may want to put anotice in the local paper. This group may form a park association and will beresponsible for meeting with public officials, making presentations, maintainingthe park and defusing any problems that arise.

Hold a public meeting. Once the core group is in place, a larger communitymeeting will help you get the word out to supporters and solicit input andsuggestions. Contact other dog owners, dog-related clubs, veterinarians andhumane society and animal control officials to gather interest and support. Doso by posting, mailing or distributing notices in areas such as neighborhoodbulletin boards, pet supply stores, animals hospitals and shelters. Encouragepeople to write letters of support to public officials and the media and to makepresentations to community groups whose backing would be valuable.

Educate your fellow dog owners on the need to be responsible. Theowner who neglects to pick up after his dog or who allows an aggressive orunsocialized dog to run loose can do a lot of damage to your cause andundermine your chances of success.

Write a clear mission statement that details the need and purpose ofthe park, stressing the benefits to dog owners, their caninecompanions and the greater community. The Redwood City [California]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, safeenvironment without endangering or annoying people, property or wildlife. To

5

Dog owners who neglect to pick up aftertheir dogs can damage your cause.

6 Establishing a Dog Park

develop a beautiful, well-maintained space open to all dog lovers and friendswho are willing to uphold the park’s rules and restrictions. To view this park asa community project, in partnership with the City of Redwood City, designed tosatisfy the needs of dog-owners and non–dog owners alike.”

Choose a site. The ideal area will be a safe, accessible location that takes intoaccount the needs of park users as well as the effect the park will have onneighbors and the environment. Please refer to “Dog Park Design” on page 15for additional recommendations.

Create a budget. Determine how much it will cost to construct and maintainthe park – costs for grass, fences, garbage removal, lawn maintenance, drinkingwater, field drainage, lighting, benches and a pooper-scooper station. Somecities are willing and able to finance a dog park; others would rather share thecost with a group committed to maintaining the park and ensuring that parkrules are followed. Keep in mind that, if it is within your budget to do so,

Monmouth County, New JerseyIn the summer of 1999, a newly organ-

ized group of Monmouth County dogowners petitioned the county park systemand several local municipalities to estab-lish an off-leash dog park. The Bay ShoreCompanion Dog Club and New Jersey D.O. G. (Dog Owners Group) helped recruitmembers and collect signatures fromowners of the nearly 40,000 licensed dogsliving in the county.

After collecting 12,000 signatures, thegroup presented its proposal to thecounty park system’s Board of RecreationCommissioners and municipal parksystem officials. Officials agreed that adog park would offer many benefits toresidents. They talked to other countieswith successful parks about liabilityissues, rules, and regulations, beforevoting to approve funding for the estab-

lishment of an off-leash area inMonmouth County. The Thompson ParkDog Run opened on October 30, 1999, toenormous popularity.

Now that the park has opened, areadog owners will concentrate on forming acore group to help keep up the site andprevent potential problems. Just becausedogs are allowed to run free does notmean that owners will not be responsiblefor their animals’ actions. There are rulesto be followed, guidelines to bemaintained. “Public education for dogowners will be critical to the park’ssuccess,” notes one of the organizers. Thepark itself provides a terrific venue forteaching people to be responsible dogowners. Members of the local dog commu-nity have already held a “Park Do’s andDon’ts” seminar and plan to host futureprograms there.

SUCCESS STORY #1

7

sharing expenses with the city can be a great public relations tool. It showsofficials that you are committed to the project, will help foster good communityrelations and may increase your chance for the park’s approval.

Depending on your situation, you will have to determine how you willgenerate revenue for your budget. One possibility to consider is user fees –requiring all park users to pay an annual or daily fee. Permits could beobtained from the city or town or through the park association. Fund-raiserssuch as a dog wash or concession sale at a local dog show can also help togenerate money to cover expenses and maintenance costs. Finally, considersoliciting town and city sources. By convincing elected officials that there iswide support for a dog park among taxpayers and voters, you may helpencourage funding for the park.

Solicit the input and seek the approval of significant organizations inyour community. Meet with the proposed park’s neighbors before talking tocity hall. As soon as someone brings up a concern, address it and try to comeup with a solution. With a little good will and cooperation, neighborhooddifferences can usually be resolved.

8 Establishing a Dog Park

OK, you’ve gathered your resources.Where do yougo from here?

Create a proposal. Your well-prepared presentation will include your missionstatement and goals and should address issues such as location, funding,maintenance and enforcement. Committee members will be expected toestablish and enforce reasonable health and safety rules for the park, and theseshould be included in the proposal as well. Suggestions for these guidelines canbe found in the “Rules and Regulations” section of this brochure. A goodproposal will also do the following:

Demonstrate need. Do this by gathering statistics on the dogs and thepeople 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 emphasize people issues. Dogs don’t pay taxes or vote.

9

Demonstrate support. In many communities, organizers found that a simplyworded request, circulated on a petition, helped convince city officials thatthere was indeed both a need and widespread public support for a responsiblyrun dog park. • Place petition gatherers at supermarkets, pet-supply stores and other high-

traffic areas.

Sarasota County, FloridaSarasota County is the proud home to

two successful “paw parks,” thanks inpart to some active AKC-affiliated dogclub members.

One long-time club member chaired theAnimal Welfare Advisory Committee thatapproved the opening of the 17th StreetPaw Park last year. The chairman andhis rescued Greyhound participated in aribbon-cutting ceremony that attractedthe attention of enthusiastic dog owners,media and city officials alike. Theoverwhelming success of the 17th StreetPaw Park led to the creation of a second

off-leash area at Woodmere Park inVenice, Florida. In support of the move,the Greater Venice Florida Dog Clubdonated a decorative sign to mark thenew paw park’s location.

In the last year, county officials fromacross the nation have contacted theSarasota County Parks and Recreationdepartment regarding their success indeveloping and maintaining paw parks.Based on the positive responsecommunity residents have had to theparks, both off-leash areas will continueto serve as models for dog groups in thefuture.

SUCCESS STORY #2

10 Establishing a Dog Park

• Enlist the support of local veterinarians, groomers, dog walkers and otherswho have a real interest in seeing a community filled with healthy, well-socialized dogs. Involve them in gathering petitions, writing letters to theeditor of local papers and generally spreading the word.

• Organize local residents to contact their community representatives, parksdepartment officials and media in the form of letters, e-mails and phonecalls, asking for their support.

• Consider sending press releases to local media, explaining how thecommunity will benefit from a dog park and providing information aboutthe success of existing parks in other areas.

• You’ll need to get the neighbors’ approval, too. Explain your proposal tothem, as well as the ways that a dog park will benefit them, and ask them tosign a separate petition stating that they are willing to have the park intheir neighborhood.

Get to know local officials – your city council members and thedirector of your department of parks and recreation. Attend meetings,join them at fund-raisers. Find out what they need from you to move the dogpark forward. To help you get started, the AKC’s Canine LegislationDepartment can provide you with brochures offering tips on working withgovernment officials.

11

When you’re ready, request a hearing with city government to discussyour proposal. Have two or three carefully selected, knowledgeable andarticulate members of your group present your plan, clearly expressing itsmany benefits to the community and calmly addressing any concerns. Beprepared to deal with a range of concerns, including the risk of dog fights, dogbites, noise level, parking and traffic needs, liability issues and maintenance.Explain why some of these are nonissues – the park’s dogs, for example, will bewell-socialized and therefore less likely to fight, bite and cause accidents in thecommunity. Have a plan to address legitimate issues, like traffic and noise.

Be patient and flexible. Dealing with city government is rarely a quickprocess, but don’t give up! Follow through with continued letters and e-mails,and be willing to work toward compromise.

Sausalito, California In early 1991, the City of Sausalito

passed a law requiring dogs to be leashedat all times within the city limits. Afterreceiving a citation and fine for walkingher dog Remington without a leash, oneowner led a citizen group that worked withthe city council, the parks and recreationdepartment and the Marin HumaneSociety to establish a dedicated enclosedarea where the dogs of Sausalito could beoff leash.

During that summer volunteers raisedfunds to fence a 1.3 acre area in theMartin Luther King School area, locatedon the north side of Sausalito, to be usedas a dedicated dog park. In November1991, the “Remington Dog Park” wasofficially opened with a gala ribbon cuttingattended by city council members, localcitizens and their dog companions.

Although the city provides utilities,including water, electricity and garbageremoval, the park has been maintained byits users since the opening. Regularlyscheduled work parties cut the grass as

well as maintain and improve the grounds. Improvements to the park in excess of

$36,000 to date have been made throughdonations solely from park users. Inaddition to original fencing the park nowhas lighting, a storage shed, a ridinglawnmower, picnic tables, benches, a dogdrinking-water area and a “scooper”cleaning station.

The park is the home of champion showdogs as well as mixed breeds. Dog ownershave adopted over 30 “rescue” dogs. Manyowners now have two dogs as a result ofthis program.

Having received the highest rating of “4Paws” in The California Dog Lover’sCompanion, the Sausalito Dog Park is nowused by over 300 dogs per day. Fromsunup to sundown, dogs of all ages, sizesand types can be seen romping in thepark, chasing a never ending supply oftennis balls, simply lying at their masters’feet under a picnic table or on top of thepicnic table demanding face-to-faceattention.(See also www.dogpark-sausalito.com.)

SUCCESS STORY #3

12 Establishing a Dog Park

Tallahassee, FloridaMembers of the Ochlockonee River

Kennel Club are always looking for ways togive back to their community, so when theopportunity came to help with theestablishment of a dog park in Tallahassee,they jumped at the chance.

The group had long realized howimportant it was for dog owners to have aplace where they could socialize with othersand let their dogs run or play Frisbee. Atthe same time, their community was facingproblems at a nearby city park whereowners were permitting their dogs toillegally roam off-leash. The solutionseemed simple -build a dog park! A publiccommittee was formed, and an ORKCboard member volunteered to serve onbehalf of the dog community.

While the city of Tallahassee was

receptive to the idea, it was clear that littlecould be done without funds for fencing,pooper-scoopers and the like. ORKC,which donates to various organizationsevery year, soon agreed to give the city the$4,000 that would be needed to fence thetwo-acre park. Other clubs and fanciersfollowed suit, donating money for wateringholes, cleanup facilities, shade trees andbenches. The city even donated old firehydrants to add to the fun.

The park has been extremely popularsince its opening in the summer of 1999,and city officials, who originally agreed toopen the park on a trial basis only, are nowenthusiastic about developing more.Members of the ORKC are pleased to havehad a helping hand in the park’sestablishment and see it as a greatopportunity to increase awareness ofresponsible dog ownership.

SUCCESS STORY #4

13

Congratulations – they approved it! Now what?

Your efforts have been successful, and development of the dog park is movingforward. Now is the time to thank everyone who helped bring the park tofruition, including volunteers, government officials and community residents.As a result of everyone’s hard work, many dog owners will soon have a newopportunity to enjoy their canine companions! Be sure to share this good newswith the AKC’s Canine Legislation Department so we can pass it on to others.

The key to future and continued success of the dog park will lie in responsiblepark-association members and park users who strictly enforce the rules. Forthe most part, this will mean getting people to clean up after their dogs, quietexcessive barking and curtail any aggressive behavior. Occasionally largerissues may arise, and it will be up to you to help settle disputes in a responsive,flexible manner.

Maintenance will be another important consideration. In some areas, parkassociations work in conjunction with local kennel clubs and parks departmentofficials to organize volunteer “park cleanup” days. Kennel clubs and other dogorganizations may also be willing to donate funds for future supplies ofscoopers, trash bags and cans.

The development of a successful dog park requires a great deal of planningand effort. But your involvement and dedication will hopefully lead to theultimate reward – the joy of creating and maintaining a special place wheredogs and their families can run, romp and socialize.

14 Establishing a Dog Park

15

Dog Park Design:The Ideal Dog Park Should Include . . .

• One acre or more of land surrounded by a four- to six-foot high chain-linkfence. Preferably, the fence should be equipped with a double-gated entryto keep dogs from escaping and to facilitate wheelchair access.

• Cleaning supplies, including covered garbage cans, waste bags and pooper-scooper stations.

• Shade and water for both dogs and owners, along with benches and tables.

• A safe, accessible location with adequate drainage and a grassy area that ismowed routinely.

• Signs that specify park hours and rules.

• Parking close to the site.

A double-gated entry preventsdogs from escaping.

16 Establishing a Dog Park

Rules and RegulationsMembers of a dog park committee should establishand enforce reasonable health and safety rules forthe park, such as the following:

• Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused bythem.

• Puppies and dogs must be properly licensed, inoculated and healthy.

• Animals should wear a collar and ID tags at all times.

• Owners must clean up after their dogs.

• Dogs showing aggression toward people or other animals will be removedfrom the park. Animals who exhibit a history of aggressive behavior willnot be permitted to enter.

• Puppies using the park must be at least four months old.

• Owners should not leave their dogs unattended or allowed out of sight. Ifyoung children are permitted in the dog park, they too should be underconstant supervision.

• Dogs in heat will not be allowed inside the park.

• Owners must carry a leash at all times. Dogs should be leashed beforeentering and prior to leaving the park.

• Violators will be subject to removal from the park and suspension of parkprivileges.

Table of ContentsWhat Is a Dog Park and How Does it Benefit the Community? 1

How to Build a Dog Park in Your Community 4

Dog Park Design 15

Rules and Regulations 16

Success Stories:

#1 Monmouth County, New Jersey 6

#2 Sarasota County, Florida 9

#3 Sausalito, California 11

#4 Tallahassee, Florida 12

Table of Contents

5580 Centerview DriveRaleigh, NC 27606-3390

AKC Web Site: www.akc.org

For more information, contactthe Canine Legislation Department

Phone: 919-816-3720Fax: 919-816-4275

E-Mail: doglaw@akc.org

Photos of Remington Dog Park, Sausalito, CA, by Vicky Cook

GLEG01 (7/04)

Establishing a

Dog Parkin Your Community

Establishing a

Dog Parkin Your Community

FRIENDS OF MURPHYSBORO

PUBLIC DOG PARK

FRIENDS OF MURPHYSBORO

PUBLIC DOG PARK