research request for south end dog park potential locations

[carolyn hanson]

Hi all,
As you probably know, the Parks Commission is very interested in finding a suitable location for a south end dog park. Part of our approach involves looking at private as well as public land. I think it would be very useful to have a well-researched list to show property owners about the positive benefits of a park, for them especially as well as the community at large, and to debunk any negative stereotypes they might have (concern about dog feces causing a problem for adjoining landowners for example). If anyone in your group is interested/willing to put together such a list, we'd be glad to have it. Thanks! Carolyn Hanson, parks commissioner

[Carolyn Bates]

Carolyn

Mari Steinbach said that there is a list already with Parks that was done several years ago.

Can you find it, please?

cb

On Apr 4, 2011, at 6:12 PM, carolyn hanson wrote:

Hi all,
As you probably know, the Parks Commission is very interested in finding a suitable location for a south end dog park.  Part of our approach involves looking at private as well as public land. I think it would be very useful to have a well-researched list to show property owners about the positive benefits of a park, for them especially as well as the community at large, and to debunk any negative stereotypes they might have (concern about dog feces causing a problem for adjoining landowners for example). If anyone in your group is interested/willing to put together such a list, we'd be glad to have it. Thanks! Carolyn Hanson, parks commissioner

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[carolyn hanson]

you misunderstood my message. Not a list of sites but a list of the benefits a property owner would derive from leasing or lending private land for this purpose. 

[Carolyn Bates]

Carolyn

Thank you for explaining this better.

Let us all list ideas so that when we meet next Monday, we can work on finalizing the list for Carolyn.

Here are some of mine:  Maybe these ideas will lead to others. 

1. Giving dogs a way to run and play with their owners, off leash, and to socialize with other dogs, when there is not a park in the south end, and the north end one is too crowded.

2. Giving dogs and owners a way to walk to a dog park, instead of driving,  helps to reduce our carbon footprint,

3. Giving dogs and owners a place to play that is supervised, fenced in, will mean, hopefully, fewer dogs running loose outside of park, on sidewalks, etc, and more poop 

"controlled" and picked up as poop bags and trash containers will be provided.

4. Great place for handicapped owners to be able to play safely with their dog off leash.

5. Great place to have a dog party that could be a fund raiser to help private owner with costs of maintaining this park.  (Ie a mini Shelburne Museum goes to the dogs weekend in Sept)

6. A wonderful way for a private owner to "give back" to the community in an easy way, where others, ie parks and rec, and dog owners, will help owner with maintenance.  

7.  If a shelter, bathrooms, and a private four season room with electricity, were added to the park, it could be a place to have training on site, with dog trainers and dogs and their owners, and general dog related classes.  With an outside entrance, ie not within the park, it could be used for other classes, parties, meetings, summer camp activities.  This building could be built as a demonstration of how to build with a no or low carbon footprint. 

8. Dogs and owners will maintain a better health by having a place close to their home to run on a daily basis, as well as to meet other people.  

9. If the building were built, it could have solar panels, to help defray the cost of power and heat. 

10. We could make this a show place for how to build other dog parks elsewhere.

11.  We could demonstrate how to maintain stormwater runoff with swales, tall grasses, rain barrels, gardens,  outside the fenced in area, where dogs were not permitted to run. 

12.  We could plant trees for shade, and help lower the carbon footprint.

13.  And if there could be a water access, that would be absolutely perfect.  

14.  We could have a special tag to use this park, and a special fee? 

15. A good tax right off?

16.  A way to get a community of dog owners together to help research ideas, design, and build at least part of this.

From

Carolyn Bates

cba...@carolynbates.com

802-238-4213