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FAR NW AREA DOG PARK
IT'S A FACT - Houston needs a far NW area dog park.
If you look at our map of dog parks you will see the NW quadrant of Houston lacks a public dog park. There are a few private residential dog parks cropping up to to try to meet the need but they can not replace a public dog park that everyone can use.
Dog parks are designated and built specifically for your dog to socialize and exercise safely and off-leash. Houston and surrounding areas now boast over 25 fenced, off-leash dog parks with a variety of amenities including swimming ponds, agility equipment, shaded seating and walking trails. Dog parks encourage responsible dog ownership and exercise for people too.
To that end HDPA is spearheading a grass roots effort to get a dog park in the far NW area. The area boundaried by 290, Beltway 8 and 249 is our focus. There are many dog lovers in this far NW Houston area and HDPA has heard from the community on our web site and at education tables we hold in the area. There is immmense support for and many requests for a dog park in this area.
UPDATE:
Dog Park Coming To 1960 /Jones Rd area!!
Find out how you can have your name in the park here.
HOW TO DONATE:
Mail a check with your contact information to HDPA 1960 DP, Po Box 20823, Houston, TX 77225
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.
We will be announcing the event details on our web site soon but you can mark your calendar for Oct. 2nd now. Leashed pets will be invited to the event and we'll have lots of fun for people and doggies including a dog and car wash, frisbee dog demonstrations, doggie costume contest, and lots of local vendor tables with freebies and goodies to give away and win. We are seeking vendors and will also need volunteers to help setup and work at the event from washing cars and dogs to entertainment and set up/clean up. Email kristen@barks5thave.com to get on the event list. 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 suggests a dog park could be added in the following existing green spaces:
View Recommended Dog Park Locations (far NW) in a larger mapHDPA 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 a location 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 77002By phone: (713) 755-6444
By fax: (713) 755-8801
By e-mail: JerryEversole@hcp4.netIn Precinct 3:
Commissioner Steve Radack
1001 Preston, 9th floor
Houston, Texas 77002
By Phone: (713) 755-6306
By e-mail: pct3@hctx.netSign 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.pdfHere 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 ParkAnd 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- HDPA solicits the input and approval of significant
organizations in our community. HDPA will talk with the proposed park's
neighbors to garner support.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
HOW TO DONATE:
Mail a check with your contact information to HDPA 1960 DP, Po Box 20823, Houston, TX 77225