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July 09, 2004
Notes from Hillcrest Neighborhood Meeting
Here's a recap from Tom Zelinski, City of Grand Rapids Parks Department, about our meeting with the neighbors of Hillcrest Park.
On Monday, June 28, 2004 - 7 P.M., I conducted a meeting at Hillcrest School with area residents and members of the committee that developed the Off-Leash Dog Area report. Thirty attendees signed in and participated in the question/answer discussions. On the whole I felt the meeting went very well and the project was generally well received. I have listed below - in no special order - a sample of the various questions and comments that arose. Following the meeting about 15 people visited the actual park location where Parks staff had painted the grass in approximation of the fence line the facility would have. At this time the committee members have not made significant efforts to generate funds - awaiting the results of this meeting and the go ahead from the department to proceed. I indicated that after the holiday I would convene a meeting with the committee to discuss the next steps.
Questions/Issues
Will the facility generate a lot of traffic?
The facility, as proposed, is too small.
Will there be rules for use and corresponding enforcement?
Will the facility cause noise -from the dogs barking?
A concern was expressed about Hillcrest being the first of such a facility and it therefore attracting quite a few people/dogs from outside the area.
What would the hours of operation be?
Who would be responsible for monitoring the uses?
Who would perform the maintenance and clean up?
Is this a "done deal"?
I asked for a show of hands as to how many in attendance were dog owners. It was pretty close to unanimous. There were quite a few positive comments and discussion on how to make the facility a success. I would suggest that as this proceeds we keep the Neighborhood Association in the loop on informational updates.
Posted by Gwen at July 9, 2004 12:31 PM