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January 29, 2003
Possible Parks Meeting?
It looks like the Kent County Parks Department will be holding a couple of meetings on Thursday, see the Grand Rapids Press article. If you are available to attend one of the meetings, please e-mail Reji at info@grdogpark.com and let us know, so we know our views are being represented.
Posted by Gwen at 05:24 PM | Comments (0)
Dog Park Enthusiasts in the News
We are in the Grand Rapids Press article, "New leash law raises dog owners' hackles". The article speaks mainly to the leash law, but the two issues are becoming even more intertwined.
Posted by Gwen at 02:34 PM | Comments (1)
Cascade Dog Park
According to the Grand Rapids Press in the article "Dogs could get park of their own", Cascade could be the first area for a private off-leash dog park. This type of park isn't what the Grand Rapids Dog Park Enthusiasts are looking for, as tax-payers and Grand Rapids city residents, but the idea is a good one!
Posted by Gwen at 02:28 PM | Comments (3)
January 28, 2003
Grand Rapids Commissioners Meeting
Today at City Hall, Dottie Rhodes, spokeswoman for our group, formally presented the petition to the city commission. The good news is that most commissioners were in favor of a dog park! Thank you to everyone that made it to this important meeting!
Now, it doesn't stop here. We need to start thinking about where and what the dog park(s) or areas will look like. We will be scheduling another meeting soon and we can address these next steps as a group. Congratulations and thanks for all the good work!
As a side note, the leash law was discussed and approved by the city commissioners. Mayor Logie insisted that the ordinance will not directly affect responsible dog owners exercising their dogs and that the ordinance may be reviewed or revised at a later time. He also made note that it was bringing Grand Rapids in compliance with Kent County's laws that are already in place. There will be much discussion over this in conjunction with our issue as well. Stay tuned on that.
If you'd like to see the points that Dottie presented at the meeting, click on the extended entry to read more.
Mission:
Quite simply our goal is to add Grand Rapids to the list of progressive communities that recognize the value of dog parks in socializing our pets and strengthening our neighborhoods. We want an enclosed off-leash park for our canine companions, one that’s formed in cooperation with the city and that acknowledges our rights as taxpayers.
Ideal Dog Park:
Three acres minimum (5 to 6 acres desired) surrounded by a 5’ to 6’ fence
Poop scoop stations with appropriate bags provided
Covered trash receptacles with regular trash removal
Shade areas
Running water for the dogs to drink
Grass area with routine mowing
Regular maintenance of the park
Lighting
Adequate parking
Handicap accessible
Message board for communicating “Lost and Found” info and important announcements
Suggested areas for our ideal dog park: (Suggestions were gathered from our site)
Riverside Park
John Ball Park
Fuller Park
Points:
Some of the many Community Benefits
> Socializes and exercised dogs in a safe environment.
> Promotes responsible pet ownership.
> The Park could be used to host animal behaviorists, training sessions, information about neutering, local adoption day with several animal adoption shelters participating, Frisbee competition
> Provides elderly and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions.
> Enables dogs to legally run off-leash.
> The ability to share activities with canine family members at a dogpark is important, and increasingly recognized by cities.
Summary:
We are taxpayers and voters, and will support candidates who understand that dogs and their people have the right to use the public recreational facilities for which they help pay. We are legitimate park users.
Posted by Gwen at 04:51 PM | Comments (2)
January 26, 2003
Dog Photo of the Week
Juliette is a regular at Cambridge Park and she's always ready for some fun!
Posted by Gwen at 01:18 PM | Comments (5)
January 22, 2003
Petition Presentation -- January 28
It's time to present our petition!
The presentation is scheduled for the Grand Rapids City Commissioners Meeting on Tuesday, January 28th at 2 p.m. at City Hall, ninth floor. We'd love to get as many supporters there as we can. If your schedule permits, please join us!
We plan to meet at 1:50 p.m. on the main level of City Hall. Dottie Rhodes will speak on behalf of our group, but there will also be a public comment period during which everyone will have a chance to voice their opinions.
Posted by at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)
Yesterday's Meeting
Thanks to everyone who attended the meeting last night at Founders. We really appreciate your feedback and involvement. If you'd like a copy of the meeting minutes, contact Reji at info@grdogpark.com.
Posted by at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2003
Dog Photo of the Week
Peyton is an 8-month-old yellow Lab and a bundle of energy. If his owner, Amber, didn’t take him to a Wyoming park 3 or 4 days a week (even in the winter!), she says he’d be a hundred times more active.
If you have a great shot of your dog playing at a park, please e-mail it to gwen@grdogpark.com.
Posted by Gwen at 04:26 PM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2003
Dog Bite Prevention Article
Patrick Snyder found a great article on the CDC web site, Dog Bite Prevention Week, 2002.
Here's a great excerpt from the article, "We are dedicated to the protection of animal and human health and committed to ensuring that relationships between people and dogs benefit both species," said AVMA President Dr. James H. Brandt. "This is easily accomplished when dog owners take the time to responsibly own and socialize their dogs." And that's exactly our point too!
How do dogs become social without designated places for them? Where can we take our dogs, other than for walks and local pet supply stores and socialize them? How do they fit into our lives and our community?
Posted by Gwen at 10:50 AM | Comments (1)
January 14, 2003
What do you think?
We've recently posted articles to this site about a proposed leash ordinance backed by the Bite Prevention Committee. This group is opposed to the banning of specific dog breeds and any new restrictions on responsible dog owners. You can find more comments and details in the article entitled Pooch Patrol from the January 11 issue of the Grand Rapids Press. (Note the closing comment from Sgt. Matthis of the GR police department: "We're not out after the people exercising their dogs.")
Now we'd like to hear what you think. Please let us know your opinions about this ordinance by submitting your comments below. It's a topic we'd also like to address at next week's general meeting to be held at Founder's on January 21st at 7:30 pm. We hope to see you there!
Posted by at 10:29 PM | Comments (2)
January 13, 2003
Doggie Playtime Showcase
We would like to showcase your dog photos on this web site, especially the ones of your dog playing at a park, any park, or with other dogs. Please e-mail your cute, canine photos to gwen@grdogpark.com.
Posted by Gwen at 08:59 PM | Comments (0)
Dog Park Meeting
We will be meeting at Founder’s Brewery, downtown GR (648 Monroe NW, 616-776-1195), Tuesday, January 21st, at 7:30 pm.
We plan on discussing the status of our petition, any new media buzz as well as future plans for the Grand Rapids Dog Park Enthusiasts. This will probably be our last chance to meet before presenting our petition to the city.
Posted by Gwen at 08:58 PM | Comments (1)
January 11, 2003
Pooch Patrol article
The Grand Rapids Press article, POOCH PATROL: Changes in leash ordinance worry dog owners, appears in today’s paper.
From the article... “We want to take our dogs off the leash, legally. We’re not criminals,” said Rhodes, adding that she plans to submit a 2,000-signature petition supporting a city dog park to officials this month.
We’d like to hear your comments on this! Please post your comments below.
Posted by Gwen at 11:55 AM | Comments (1)
January 09, 2003
Dog Park Meeting
We hope to be scheduling a group meeting for the Grand Rapids Dog Park Enthusiasts next week!
We will inform everyone via e-mail about the time, date and place.
Posted by Gwen at 09:14 PM | Comments (0)
GR Press Interview
The Grand Rapids Press contacted Dottie Rhodes about the recently published leash law article. She reiterated the fact that leash laws are common sense but not directly related to what we are asking the city of Grand Rapids for.
As soon as the article is published, we will post a link to it.
Posted by Gwen at 09:09 PM | Comments (0)
Worth Noting
Yesterday’s GR Press featured an article about city leash laws that mentions that the City Commission and the Parks and Rec department are exploring cost estimates to establish a dog park.
Posted by at 11:47 AM | Comments (1)