June 2013 Hello Dog Lovers, Here is the latest update on Canandaigua Canine Campus (CCC). A couple of weeks ago I heard that the city was also considering building a dog park! One of the main reasons I had brought the idea of CCC, a non-profit, membership based dog park, to the community was because other citizens had tried (unsuccessfully) in the past to create city support for a dog park. Our volunteers have an enormous amount of research and information gathered. I took a project update to a meeting with the new City Manager, David Forrest. David was somewhat aware of our efforts and told me the alternative city dog park idea would be soon be explored, with Baker Park in the running as a potential location. There appears to be no particular reason why the council has now chosen to seriously consider a dog park. I will take some credit for bringing the issue forward and engaging meaningful public dialogue about the concept as well as collaborating with and organizing a large cadre of volunteers/dog owners committed to the cause. Our new city manager is also a dog owner and vested in the outcome of this project. A few days later, I attended a City Council Environmental Committee meeting with a dog park discussion was on the agenda. Two other dog park supporters were in attendance. My opinion was sought. Competing with the city to build a dog park would obviously be a duplication of effort. My view: the city should have stepped forward long ago but our efforts and energy going toward the Charlotte/Gibson location could be directed to city owned land. This would save a LOT of fundraising efforts (most significantly, no cost for the land). The volunteers could help design the park and fundraise for amenities. This is a very common partnership. Geneva is currently building its first dog park this way, for instance. This new twist sadly does not address the empty lots on Charlotte and Gibson but I do believe it is the right path for this project. At our last volunteer meeting all in attendance agreed with a few reservations. One reservation was a concern that the pace of the project be kept vigorous and not languish as a passive City Council agenda item. The group wants a steady progression of action toward the goal and is willing to actively help. Other concerns center around the type of park and what amenities and aesthetics will be considered. The health and safety of our pets are our primary concern and to that end most have expressed a firm belief that the concept must remain a membership-based park (with a fee to help maintain the park) with all pets licensed, up to date on shots and owners sign off that their pets are not aggressive toward others. Some parks, open to the public on the honor system (health, license, etc.), do not reassure owner accountability if an issue arises. The volunteers will be putting together a laundry list of park priorities, including items such as separate play yards for large and small dogs, double gate system, shaded areas, running water and more. Next steps, I will meet with David Forrest and then engage our volunteers. Our tentative timeline begins with a volunteer meeting at 6PM on 7/9 prior to an Environmental Committee Meeting scheduled later that same evening at 7PM in the Hurley Building on Saltonstall Street. The Environmental Committee oversees city parks. Anyone interested in a dog park for Canandaigua may attend Environmental Committee meetings to show solidarity for support of a park. What else can you do? Contact your council member and let him or her know you want a dog park in Canandaigua. CC: the mayor, Meg Reston (Environmental Committee Chair) and the city manager in your e-mail. Find the e-mail for your councilmember at: canandaiguanewyork.gov/index.asp?SEC=A88F3168-19BC-4B11-97C4-3E9CBCFB4BC8&Type=B_LIST Continue to encourage your dog loving friends to “like” the Canandaigua Canine Campus Facebook page and/or e-mail me at canandaiguacaninecampus@gmail to be added to either our volunteer list or supporters list for updates. We have about 150 people following the cause. We need many more! For now, I need a much needed break from the project as in my enthusiasm and commitment to the dog park, I have neglected some professional obligations. I will be laying low until the 9th. If you are a dog park volunteer, you will receive info about our next meeting, tentatively scheduled for 7/9 at 6PM, location TBA. Thanks to all, Nancy McCarthy
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:02:33 +0000
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