How to Start a Dog Park
The City of Shreveport is ready to create its first dog park!
We need your help to create the premier dog park, the “Central Park” of dog parks, where people and pets come together as one, the place to see and be seen! With the strong interest in the area and easy startup, it will be an asset to the city. We are hoping you, or your business can assist in our goal of raising $150,000 to make this dream a reality!
The site chosen for this regional dog park is Marie and Charles Hamel Memorial Park on Shreveport’s riverfront. It will be a “regional” dog park that will serve and benefit the cities on the Caddo and Bossier sides of the river as well as visitors to the area.
Tax deductible donations can be sent to:
A Better Shreveport/Dog Park Fund
1214 Spt Barksdale Hwy #151
Shreveport, LA 71105
Joining this public/private partnership with the city of Shreveport to create this safe dog park are Shreveport Dog Park Alliance and ABetterShreveport.org, a citizen advocacy group interested in enhancing the quality of life in Shreveport. Much research has been gathered and we are ready to make it happen. This is not something that will take a lot of heavy planning and expenditures. The city will provide acreage in Hamel Memorial Park and maintain it. The Shreveport Dog Park Alliance will build and enhance the park. Necessary to the dog park will be fencing with double gated entrances, signage and a water source. Other amenities include benches/picnic tables, sheltered area, waste stations and water fountains.
The creation of dog parks are included in the vision of The Shreveport/Caddo Master Plan whose emphasis is on how the community can shape future physical development to sustain, enhance and grow our quality of life. A dog park is a symbol of the quality of life issue of a community, of a community that cares about its people and pets. Other cities have dog parks, and people who use them rave about them. Like people, dogs are social, pack animals. When on neutral territory they enjoy a day at the park just like the rest of us.
A Shreveport Times editorial stated, “Nothing starts a conversation quite like a pet.”
So putting dogs and their owners in one place to play and socialize sounds like fun and a great idea for community building. And as Timothy Wachtel, Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation planner said, a dog park is no longer a strange concept. "It's pretty standard in a city our size," he said.
In fact, Lafayette has one, and Baton Rouge has two with four more in various stages of development. ( Note-to date Baton Rouge has three with two
more in the suburbs and New Orleans has a large one that is about to expand and many smaller ones, Lafayette has at least one, as does Lake Charles. A few months ago Longview opened their first dog park, the closest to our area) First, the funding, one model from other communities is to raise corporate donations or form private nonprofit organization to work with the city to raise money.
Many families already bring their dogs to the riverfront for walks. Now they could have a place to legally take them off leash.
Shreveport police spokesman Cpl. Bill Goodin called it a "win-win proposition for citizens, dog owners or not."
A dog park could be a welcome addition to our city, as we try to build community for both humans and canines.
Shreveport Dog Park Alliance agrees with the statement, “You can convince anybody of just about anything as long as you are passionate, and I’ve yet to meet any dog people who are not passionate about having these parks.” We promise to stay involved and be stewards of this park. With your assistance, we can make this dog park a reality, opening doors to many other off-leash areas for our neighborhoods. Can we count on your help?
Basically, we are following seven steps to try to secure our own off-leash dog park as suggested by Dog Fancy Magazine.
Step 1
How to start a dog park:
The idea of a city-designated facility where dogs could safely exercise off leash was a revolutionary concept. In December of 2011 USA Today stated of all the urban parks being built, most are dog parks; the list is growing. More and more communities recognize off-leash parks as valuable places for dogs and humans to relax and socialize.
While they vary in size and layout, most dog parks have one thing in common: They exist thanks to determined lobbying efforts by dog lovers. Dog parks don’t just happen. They become a reality only because dog owners ask for them — and keep asking.
In 2007 a petition for a dog park was started. In 2008 city planners polled concerned citizens on suggested ways to improve Shreveport’s riverfront, the addition of a dog park scored high. The city became interested in the creation of dog parks in 2009, in 2010 reached out to other dog parks for the best practices of creating dog parks, 2011 changed the ordinance to allow dog parks, the City Council passed the ordinance and voted to allow the regional dog park to be located inside Marie and Charles Hamel Memorial Park, a park run by the city. The Shreveport Dog Park Alliance entered into a public/private partnership. The city will maintain the park once it is built; the Alliance has been tasked with raising the funds and building the park.
Step 2
Organize:
The best way to demonstrate the need and support for a dog park is to organize. Dog owners who band together with a common purpose can muster the grassroots clout necessary to educate the uninformed.
We formed an alliance to address this issue, Shreveport Dog Park Alliance. We sent a message “that we were serious and not going to give up!” The city listened.
Step 3
Find advocates:
Early in the lobbying process, identify one or more city officials who will support the dog park concept.“Even before you’ve made a public declaration, finding somebody in municipal government who is a dog person will usually help smooth the way for you”.
Shreveport’s Mayor Glover, an advocate for the dog park since its conception, publicly recognized Shreveport Dog Park Alliance’s efforts that show Shreveport is moving toward being a more progressive city. SPAR suggested the location of Marie and Charles Hamel Memorial Park, a park donated to the city by the Hamel family. Government advocates working closely on the creation of a dog park are City Councilmen Oliver Jenkins and Jeff Everson and Caddo Commissioner Matthew Linn.
Step 4
Devise a funding plan:
When proposing a dog park, you can develop cost estimates with information from existing parks in other cities. Given the tightness of most local government budgets, park organizers usually need some private funding to establish and maintain successful off-leash areas. Most parks receive some local-government assistance in the form of site development and maintenance, but many dog owners’ groups make fund raising a primary mission.
You have to have the private support to make the funds happen — that’s essential.
We have been tasked with trying to raise $150,000 estimated cost to create a good dog park.
We have had successful fund raising events and are relying on support from dog-related local businesses and animal friendly citizens that recognize the importance of dog parks.
Step 5
Find the right spot:
The next step is finding a suitable location that will accommodate dogs and their owners without negatively affecting the surrounding neighborhood. Ideally, a dog park should include the following amenities: One acre or more surrounded by a 4- to 6-foot fence; shade and water; adequate drainage to preserve soil quality and promote cleanliness; sufficient parking close to the site; a double-gated entry; benches; and waste disposal stations with plastic pickup bags and covered receptacles.
Several sites were suggested by the city and its citizens. At the suggestion of the city, Shreveport Dog Park Alliance favored a site along the river that contains these qualities and presented its suggestion to the City Council for approval. Marie and Charles Hamel Memorial Park was approved site for the first regional dog park by the city council in September of 2011. It will be over 7 acres, completely fenced with double gated entry; separate small and large dog sides.
Step 6
Prepare for differing points of view:
To counter objections from non-dog owners and city officials, experienced dog park advocates recommend spelling out proposed rules for users before a park is even established. Typical park rules include: Dogs must be licensed, accompanied by owner or dog walker, and have current vaccinations; spaying or neutering animals is recommended; no aggressive dogs are allowed; owners must clean up after their pets.
Shreveport, Caddo, and other community officials changed an existing ordinance to now read that pets can be“off-leash” in designated areas in July of 2011. They have established rules and requirements for a dog park. Dogs will have to show veterinarian records of current vaccines and, for a small charge, purchase a special tag to be worn while in the dog park.
Step 7
Sell the benefits: Proponents typically cite the following benefits of off-leash areas: They promote responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws; give dogs a place to exercise safely, thus reducing barking and other problem behaviors; provide seniors and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions; and provide an area for community-building socializing.
Citizens and city officials sometimes ask why valuable park land should be set aside just for dogs. It’s important to point out that these parks are for people — whether or not they are dog owners. It’s for the people who say ‘I can’t own a dog, but I can go to the dog park and get my fix.’ It’s for the boy or girl that doesn’t have a dog, but love to watch animals at play.
Dog parks are for people too, whether you own a dog or not.
The Shreveport Dog Park Alliance will remain stewards of the park and will continue to enhance it and have activities in the park making it an active place for the entire region for years to come! The dog park will serve as a connector of the active riverfront corridor that begins in Downtown, continues to the Stoner area’s boat launch, Veteran’s Memorial area, Disc Golf course, skateboard park and ending with the regional dog park. We hope this is the beginning of several smaller dog parks to be created in the area.
We need your help to create the premier dog park, the “Central Park” of dog parks, where people and pets come together as one, the place to see and be seen! With the strong interest in the area and easy startup, it will be an asset to the city. We are hoping you, or your business can assist in our goal of raising $150,000 to make this dream a reality!
The site chosen for this regional dog park is Marie and Charles Hamel Memorial Park on Shreveport’s riverfront. It will be a “regional” dog park that will serve and benefit the cities on the Caddo and Bossier sides of the river as well as visitors to the area.
Tax deductible donations can be sent to:
A Better Shreveport/Dog Park Fund
1214 Spt Barksdale Hwy #151
Shreveport, LA 71105
Joining this public/private partnership with the city of Shreveport to create this safe dog park are Shreveport Dog Park Alliance and ABetterShreveport.org, a citizen advocacy group interested in enhancing the quality of life in Shreveport. Much research has been gathered and we are ready to make it happen. This is not something that will take a lot of heavy planning and expenditures. The city will provide acreage in Hamel Memorial Park and maintain it. The Shreveport Dog Park Alliance will build and enhance the park. Necessary to the dog park will be fencing with double gated entrances, signage and a water source. Other amenities include benches/picnic tables, sheltered area, waste stations and water fountains.
The creation of dog parks are included in the vision of The Shreveport/Caddo Master Plan whose emphasis is on how the community can shape future physical development to sustain, enhance and grow our quality of life. A dog park is a symbol of the quality of life issue of a community, of a community that cares about its people and pets. Other cities have dog parks, and people who use them rave about them. Like people, dogs are social, pack animals. When on neutral territory they enjoy a day at the park just like the rest of us.
A Shreveport Times editorial stated, “Nothing starts a conversation quite like a pet.”
So putting dogs and their owners in one place to play and socialize sounds like fun and a great idea for community building. And as Timothy Wachtel, Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation planner said, a dog park is no longer a strange concept. "It's pretty standard in a city our size," he said.
In fact, Lafayette has one, and Baton Rouge has two with four more in various stages of development. ( Note-to date Baton Rouge has three with two
more in the suburbs and New Orleans has a large one that is about to expand and many smaller ones, Lafayette has at least one, as does Lake Charles. A few months ago Longview opened their first dog park, the closest to our area) First, the funding, one model from other communities is to raise corporate donations or form private nonprofit organization to work with the city to raise money.
Many families already bring their dogs to the riverfront for walks. Now they could have a place to legally take them off leash.
Shreveport police spokesman Cpl. Bill Goodin called it a "win-win proposition for citizens, dog owners or not."
A dog park could be a welcome addition to our city, as we try to build community for both humans and canines.
Shreveport Dog Park Alliance agrees with the statement, “You can convince anybody of just about anything as long as you are passionate, and I’ve yet to meet any dog people who are not passionate about having these parks.” We promise to stay involved and be stewards of this park. With your assistance, we can make this dog park a reality, opening doors to many other off-leash areas for our neighborhoods. Can we count on your help?
Basically, we are following seven steps to try to secure our own off-leash dog park as suggested by Dog Fancy Magazine.
Step 1
How to start a dog park:
The idea of a city-designated facility where dogs could safely exercise off leash was a revolutionary concept. In December of 2011 USA Today stated of all the urban parks being built, most are dog parks; the list is growing. More and more communities recognize off-leash parks as valuable places for dogs and humans to relax and socialize.
While they vary in size and layout, most dog parks have one thing in common: They exist thanks to determined lobbying efforts by dog lovers. Dog parks don’t just happen. They become a reality only because dog owners ask for them — and keep asking.
In 2007 a petition for a dog park was started. In 2008 city planners polled concerned citizens on suggested ways to improve Shreveport’s riverfront, the addition of a dog park scored high. The city became interested in the creation of dog parks in 2009, in 2010 reached out to other dog parks for the best practices of creating dog parks, 2011 changed the ordinance to allow dog parks, the City Council passed the ordinance and voted to allow the regional dog park to be located inside Marie and Charles Hamel Memorial Park, a park run by the city. The Shreveport Dog Park Alliance entered into a public/private partnership. The city will maintain the park once it is built; the Alliance has been tasked with raising the funds and building the park.
Step 2
Organize:
The best way to demonstrate the need and support for a dog park is to organize. Dog owners who band together with a common purpose can muster the grassroots clout necessary to educate the uninformed.
We formed an alliance to address this issue, Shreveport Dog Park Alliance. We sent a message “that we were serious and not going to give up!” The city listened.
Step 3
Find advocates:
Early in the lobbying process, identify one or more city officials who will support the dog park concept.“Even before you’ve made a public declaration, finding somebody in municipal government who is a dog person will usually help smooth the way for you”.
Shreveport’s Mayor Glover, an advocate for the dog park since its conception, publicly recognized Shreveport Dog Park Alliance’s efforts that show Shreveport is moving toward being a more progressive city. SPAR suggested the location of Marie and Charles Hamel Memorial Park, a park donated to the city by the Hamel family. Government advocates working closely on the creation of a dog park are City Councilmen Oliver Jenkins and Jeff Everson and Caddo Commissioner Matthew Linn.
Step 4
Devise a funding plan:
When proposing a dog park, you can develop cost estimates with information from existing parks in other cities. Given the tightness of most local government budgets, park organizers usually need some private funding to establish and maintain successful off-leash areas. Most parks receive some local-government assistance in the form of site development and maintenance, but many dog owners’ groups make fund raising a primary mission.
You have to have the private support to make the funds happen — that’s essential.
We have been tasked with trying to raise $150,000 estimated cost to create a good dog park.
We have had successful fund raising events and are relying on support from dog-related local businesses and animal friendly citizens that recognize the importance of dog parks.
Step 5
Find the right spot:
The next step is finding a suitable location that will accommodate dogs and their owners without negatively affecting the surrounding neighborhood. Ideally, a dog park should include the following amenities: One acre or more surrounded by a 4- to 6-foot fence; shade and water; adequate drainage to preserve soil quality and promote cleanliness; sufficient parking close to the site; a double-gated entry; benches; and waste disposal stations with plastic pickup bags and covered receptacles.
Several sites were suggested by the city and its citizens. At the suggestion of the city, Shreveport Dog Park Alliance favored a site along the river that contains these qualities and presented its suggestion to the City Council for approval. Marie and Charles Hamel Memorial Park was approved site for the first regional dog park by the city council in September of 2011. It will be over 7 acres, completely fenced with double gated entry; separate small and large dog sides.
Step 6
Prepare for differing points of view:
To counter objections from non-dog owners and city officials, experienced dog park advocates recommend spelling out proposed rules for users before a park is even established. Typical park rules include: Dogs must be licensed, accompanied by owner or dog walker, and have current vaccinations; spaying or neutering animals is recommended; no aggressive dogs are allowed; owners must clean up after their pets.
Shreveport, Caddo, and other community officials changed an existing ordinance to now read that pets can be“off-leash” in designated areas in July of 2011. They have established rules and requirements for a dog park. Dogs will have to show veterinarian records of current vaccines and, for a small charge, purchase a special tag to be worn while in the dog park.
Step 7
Sell the benefits: Proponents typically cite the following benefits of off-leash areas: They promote responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws; give dogs a place to exercise safely, thus reducing barking and other problem behaviors; provide seniors and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions; and provide an area for community-building socializing.
Citizens and city officials sometimes ask why valuable park land should be set aside just for dogs. It’s important to point out that these parks are for people — whether or not they are dog owners. It’s for the people who say ‘I can’t own a dog, but I can go to the dog park and get my fix.’ It’s for the boy or girl that doesn’t have a dog, but love to watch animals at play.
Dog parks are for people too, whether you own a dog or not.
The Shreveport Dog Park Alliance will remain stewards of the park and will continue to enhance it and have activities in the park making it an active place for the entire region for years to come! The dog park will serve as a connector of the active riverfront corridor that begins in Downtown, continues to the Stoner area’s boat launch, Veteran’s Memorial area, Disc Golf course, skateboard park and ending with the regional dog park. We hope this is the beginning of several smaller dog parks to be created in the area.
