See you at the dog Park!

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NW DOG PARK DONOR RECOGNITION

HOW TO DONATE:

Mail a check with your contact information to HDPA 1960 DP, Po Box 20823, Houston, TX 77225

or send money via Paypal below.

IT'S A FACT - NW Houston will get a dog park!

Now we invite you, as members of our community, to participate in this exciting development by making a tax deductible contribution. Opportunities are being developed for donor recognition and will include:

Benches - $1500 (x3)

Engraved Step stones $30 (x100)

(note purpose in comment field)

Activity equipment:

$1000 (x5)

Shade structures: $1000 (x5)

Water feature:
$500 (x4)


Fencing - $50 (x20)

Gates: $250 (x5)

Rules, parking and warnings signs: $300 (x5)

Kiosk: $1000 (x2)

(note purpose in comment field such as "Bench", "Dogipot", "Step stone", etc. otherwise it will be a general construction donation used for surfacing, grass, fencing, etc.)

Dogipot stations : $100 (x10)

Trash bins:

$200 (x10)

Other misc. supplies: $5, $10, $20+ donoations of any size will help us buy and restock Doggie Bags, Trash Bags, grass, water hoses, wading pools, make membership cards, hold fun events in the park each week, and buy other items needed to make the park comfortable for guests.

About the Dog Park Coming To 1960 /Jones Rd area:

The Houston Dog Park Association is proud to be partnering with sponsor Barks 5th Avenue, a pet care facility on 1960 near Jones Rd, to bring a public dog park to NW Houston. Public land next to the Barks 5th Avenue facility will be donated to HDPA to build a public dog park on. HDPA will also manage the dog park. Dog park land donations are tax deductible. The plan is in preliminary stages now and more details will be shared at the Kick Off and Fund Raising event to be held October 2nd in the parking lot of Barks 5th Avenue at 10620 FM 1960 West, Houston, TX 77070.

You can donate to the NW area dog park construction fund right now on our web site under Programs via Paypal or you can donate at the event. HDPA has already raised over $1000 for the NW area dog park. Our goal is $50,000 which will cover the fencing and divider for small dog area, double entry gates, benches, shade covers, and activity features in the park. Donation plaques and naming rights are available for the park features. HDPA will be forming a "Friends of the NW Area Dog Park Committee" to help us plan and develop this new dog park. If you'd like to help us make this dream a reality for NW Houston dog owners email tiffany@houstondogpark.org to learn how you can help. HDPA is a 501c3 non-profit volunteer organization that advocates for dog parks and supports dog park patrons through education.

If you have land to donate to HDPA and would like a dog park to be built on it, please contact HDPA. It is possible to create a privately owned public use dog park which HDPA volunteers could manage and fund as a non-profit organization. Land donations are tax deductible.

HDPA is working with the City of Houston Parks Dept., Steeplechase HOA, Harris County Precinct 3 and 4, Harris County Mud Districts and also Harris County Flood Control, to find other locations to build a dog park. But we need your help.

How you can help

Write a letter: See a sample letter

In Precinct 4:
Commissioner Jerry Eversole
1001 Preston, Suite 924
Houston, Texas 77002

By phone: (713) 755-6444
By fax: (713) 755-8801
By e-mail: JerryEversole@hcp4.net

In Precinct 3:
Commissioner Steve Radack
1001 Preston, 9th floor
Houston, Texas 77002

By Phone: (713) 755-6306
By e-mail: pct3@hctx.net

Sign the petition to show support for a NW area dog park in Houston.

Make a donation ~ Become a member ~ Attend a meeting ~ Become a volunteer

One can not just add a dog park anywhere. Dog parks are expensive to build, for one thing. They are also considered a public nuisance to some people. Danny Jackson Dog Park saw a considerable amount of opposition when it was being planned. Now surrounding businesses are pleased by the amount of new traffic it brings to the area.

If you have land that you would lease or donate and allow a dog park to be built on, please contact HDPA. It is possible to create a privately owned public useage dog park which HDPA could manage and fund. It has been done in other cities and we could model those established examples.

Here are examples of public free dog parks managed by a non-profit:

http://www.clarkdogpaw.org
http://www.clarkdogpaw.org/20100502_columbiannews_dogpaw.pdf

Here are just a few examples of private dog parks, there are many more.

Kingwood Dog Park
Clouds Canine
Bark til Dark Park
Rocky Top Dog Park

And an interesting article about private dog parks.

Here is how HDPA plans to get new dog parks in Houston, and many of these items HDPA has already done, or begun to do. We share this with you so you will know what it takes to get a new dog park. If you can help with any items please contact us, we need you!

1. Start with a core group of committed dog park activists. Talk with other guardians who are concerned about the lack of off-leash spaces. HDPA is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, and you can join us! Become a member , volunteer, and come to our next meeting.
   
2. Hold a public meeting. HDPA holds quarterly general meetings and monthly board meetings to get the word out to supporters and solicit input and suggestions. We encourage people in the community to write letters in support of a dog park to public officials and the media and to make presentations to community groups whose backing would be valuable such as Home Owner Assoc. and Civic Clubs.
   
3. Educate dog owners on the need to be responsible. The guardian who neglects to pick up after his dog, or who allows an aggressive or unsocialized dog to run loose can do a lot of damage to our cause and ultimate chances of success. HDPA has a two-fold mission: establishing off-leash human/dog exercise areas and promoting responsible canine care. Learn more here.
   
4. Have a clear mission statement that details the need and purpose of the park, stressing the benefits to dog owners, their canine companions and the greater community. The HDPA mission statement says "HDPA serves the community by educating the Houston community on responsible dog ownership, and the proper and safe use of dog parks in order to ensure a safe and fun experience for all Houstonians."
   
5. Demonstrate a need. HDPA is gathering statistics on the dogs and their people in our community such as How many dogs would use a dog park in NW Houston and how large does it need to be to accomodate the community? We are compiling data about the demographics of the people in the area to make these determinations. Who currently uses city parks -- and who doesn't? Dogs don't pay taxes or vote, But people will get out and exercise more if there is a dog park nearby. HDPA has an Executive Summary in place and other documentation on file in support of dog parks as well.
   
6. Demonstrate support. HDPA is collecting signatures by circulating a petition, to help demonstrate to officials that there is indeed both a need and widespread public support for a responsibly run dog park in NW Houston. We plan to place petition gatherers at supermarkets, pet supply stores and other high-traffic areas. HDPA seeks to enlist the support of local veterinarians, groomers, dog walkers and others who have a real interest in having a community filled with healthy, well-socialized dogs. We will involve them in gathering petitions, writing letters to the editor of local papers and generally spreading the word.
   
7. Create a budget. HDPA can help determine how much it will cost to construct and maintain the park-- costs for grass, fences, garbage removal, lawn maintenance, drinking water, field drainage, lighting, benches and a sanitary pooper scooper station. HDPA already has much of this information on file. A large dog park can cost upwards of $250,000 dollars! Some cities are willing and able to finance a dog park; others would rather share the cost with a group committed to maintaining the park and ensuring that park rules. And some dog parks are even constructed and managed privately. HDPA is collecting donations which will be donated to the dog park builder to add amenities.
   
8. HDPA solicits the input and approval of significant organizations in our community. HDPA will talk with the proposed park's neighbors to garner support.
   
9. HDPA is prepared to address a range of concerns, including the risk for dog fights, dog bites, noise level, parking and traffic needs, liability issues and maintenance. HDPA can explain why some of these are nonissues and we have a plan to address those, like traffic and noise, that are legitimate.
   
10. HDPA knows some of our local officials -- but we are seeking additional members who know our precinct commissioners, city council members and the directors of the department of parks and recreation. We need volunteers who can or already do attend their meetings, orjoin them at fundraisers. HDPA will help them to move the dog park forward.
    
11. HDPA will request a hearing with city government to discuss our proposal. HDPA will have two or three carefully selected, knowledgeable and articulate members of our group present our plan, clearly expressing its many benefits to the community and addressing any concerns.
    
12. Be patient. Dealing with city government is rarely a quick deal. While you may find yourself running with Fido in the dog park of both your dreams within a year, it could just as easily take several. The support o the community can help it move faster. Show your support by becoming a member, donating, or attending a meeting.
    

HDPA is not affiliated with Harris County or the City of Houston and HDPA does not manage the city and county owned dog parks. For complaints or concerns about dog parks please email the County or City Parks Department that manages the park in question.

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