KDPA Building Community

Building Kirkwood Community through a Dog Park6:45 p.m. March 13, 2006 Kirkwood High School: 

Building Kirkwood Community through a Dog Park 6:45 p.m. March 13, 2006 Kirkwood High School

Agenda: 

Agenda Maintenance Membership Administration Funding Proposed Timeline Expectations What Can You Do Comments, Questions and Answers Kirkwood Dog Park Association Partnership Important Dog Facts Dog Park Benefits Dog Park Myths Dog Park Layout Locations Construction

Kirkwood Dog Park Association: 

Kirkwood Dog Park Association Established in April in 2005 Missouri Corporation Four Board Members Vision/ Mission (Dog Park in Kirkwood on Kirkwood Parklands) Preliminary Friend Raising yielding: 500 Active Members 1170 Petition Signers in 63122 $12,000+

Kirkwood Parks & Rec Master Plan : 

Kirkwood Parks & Rec Master Plan “Although the implementation of a “Dog Park” has not been indicated as a high priority for this plan, should the opportunity arise to work with a funding, maintenance and operations organization, the City should at that time consider an appropriate location for such a facility.” ~Parks and Recreation Master Plan page 3-5 presented January of 2005

Best of Breed : 

Best of Breed Randle Harwood, acting director of Parks and Community Service in Fort Worth, TX says his experience with the dog park group in his community brought surprising benefits. With the undisputed success of Fort Woof, the city’s nearly five acre dog park, the relationship between the park and recreation department and dog park group simply grew stronger. ~ “From Animal Advocates to Allies,” Parks & Recreation Magazine January 2006

Partnership : 

Partnership Joint Effort of City and Citizens Collaboration on Highly Desired Amenity Benefits the Greater Community Increased Opportunity for City Exposure Increased Citizen Participation and Revenue for Parks

Partnership Community Comparison: 

Partnership Community Comparison Out of 10 cities surveyed: 5 Cities formed partnerships with a Citizen Group 5 Cities created a dog park on their own 0 Citizen Group created a dog park with no City partnership

Best of Breed: 

Best of Breed “I knew from my profession and what was happening across the country that it was a facility that would be desired in our community.” ~ Darrell Lovelette, Director of Manheim Township, PA Parks and Recreation

Important Dog Facts: 

Important Dog Facts A Highly Desired and Growing Recreational Amenity Over 700 Dog Parks in the US (CS Monitor) 7 in St. Louis Metro, 5 Under Development American Pet Products Manufacturers Association Study in 2005 43.5 million Americans own a dog 35.9 billion dollars spent each year on pets

Best of Breed: 

Best of Breed When speaking on the Flossmoor dog park the Parks Superintendent stated “Without a doubt , it is politically one of the best things a park department can ever do. It is really more than just a dog park. It’s a people park. Owners get a chance to connect and socialize and discuss common interests and concerns.” ~ Jim DaRosa, Parks Superintendent, Flossmoor, Il.

Dog Park Benefits for Kirkwood: 

Dog Park Benefits for Kirkwood Multi-Family Dwellings = No Longer a Luxury, a Need New Audience of Park Users = Park Support Base Growth of Citizen Connections = Safer Community Well Socialized Dogs = Safer Community Best Practice Facility = Model Park for Display Barrier-free = Exercise/ Socialization for Mobility Challenged Off-leash Park = Illegal Off-leash Recreation

Benefits Community Comparison: 

Benefits Community Comparison Florissant: The dog park is a nice amenity for those residents without a fenced-in yard or those in apartment buildings who can not easily exercise their dogs. Maplewood: The purpose of the park is to enjoy the outdoors and socialize. There is no difference in a dog park and a soccer field. It is an opportunity to encourage people to use parks.

Benefits Community Comparison: 

Benefits Community Comparison Denver, CO: The dog park effort aided animal control with a campaign to increase the dog population’s vaccinations and licenses as well as reducing illegal off-leash activities in other parts of the parks system. Homewood-Flossmoor, IL: It is a people park to connect, socialize and discuss common issues

Benefits Community Comparison: 

Benefits Community Comparison Manheim Township, PA: A need for densely populated area of single and multi family dwellings with limited yard space. Manheim Township, PA: A dog park helps the community meet the goal of having a central park that is a social and recreational hub.

Dog Park Myths: 

Dog Park Myths MYTH: A dog park would disrupt/destroy existing wild life nature preserves in Kirkwood Parkland. FALSE: Our research indicates fenced-in, off-leash recreation areas decrease off-leash recreation in other areas of the parkland.

Dog Park Myths: 

Dog Park Myths MYTH: A dog park would significantly decrease the amount of green space in Kirkwood Parkland. FALSE: The city of Kirkwood is currently the steward of 305 acres of parkland. The KDPA is requesting only 2-5 acres of parkland comprised of undesignated open land.

Dog Park Myths: 

Dog Park Myths MYTH: A dog park would be loud, smelly, and a traffic nightmare to Kirkwood Parkland. FALSE: Dogs make less noise when they are interacting and happy. Waste would be discarded in designated receptacles and routinely disposed. A traffic analysis would determine appropriate parking and access. Oddly enough, this myth shows that a dog park would be well used.

Dog Park Myths: 

Dog Park Myths MYTH: A dog park would pose a serious health risk to people, dogs and other animals. FALSE: We have conducted research with local veterinarian experts who have provided written statements indicating that a dog park is no more dangerous than your own backyard or a walk through the park with your dog on lead.

Dog Park Myths: 

Dog Park Myths MYTH: A dog park would be full of conflict between dogs, dog owners, and neighbors to the dog park. FALSE: Our research indicates quite the contrary, dog parks build new relationships between neighbors and strong communities. Dog parks have become a sought after community amenity when deciding where to relocate.

Dog Park Myths: 

Dog Park Myths MYTH: A dog park would destroy the natural vegetation of Kirkwood Parkland. FALSE: A best of breed dog park presents the opportunity to plant native vegetation that is dog friendly and dog durable.

Dog Park Myths: 

Dog Park Myths MYTH: A dog park would pollute ground water in Kirkwood Parklands. FALSE: Waste would be discarded in designated receptacles and routinely disposed. The construction of the dog park would include appropriate drainage solutions.

Dog Park Myths: 

Dog Park Myths MYTH: A dog park would encourage more off-leash recreation throughout all Kirkwood Parkland. FLASE: Our research indicates fenced-in, off-leash recreation areas decrease off-leash recreation in other areas of the parkland.

Layout of a Dog Park: 

Layout of a Dog Park

Locations: 

Locations 4 Sites Selected for Review Varied Typology Each with Unique Benefits

Locations: Site 1 Hill Side: 

Locations: Site 1 Hill Side

Locations: Site 1 Hill Side: 

Locations: Site 1 Hill Side

Locations: Site 2 Field and Wood: 

Locations: Site 2 Field and Wood

Locations: Site 2 Field and Wood: 

Locations: Site 2 Field and Wood

Locations: Site 3 Turn Around: 

Locations: Site 3 Turn Around

Locations: Site 3 Turn Around: 

Locations: Site 3 Turn Around

Locations: Site 4 Former Pool: 

Locations: Site 4 Former Pool Emmenegger – Vision 2015 – Kirkwood Parks and Recreation

Locations: Site 4 Former Pool: 

Locations: Site 4 Former Pool

Locations Community Comparison: 

Locations Community Comparison Out of 10 cities surveyed: 7 Dog Parks are located in Public Park Land 3 Dog Parks are located on City purchased and owned lots

Best of Breed: 

Best of Breed Because of the success of Bark Park, Ft. Lauderdale is now looking for other locations to house similar parks. The happiness of the dogs has gotten the attention of Animal Wellness magazine, which ranked the city No. 2 in dog wellness. ~ “Playgrounds for Pups,” Parks & Recreation Magazine July 2004

Construction: 

Construction Main Features Environmental Concerns City Comparison Process for Establishing Costs

Main Features: 

Main Features Waste Receptacles Pavilion/ Shade Benches Mutt Mitts and Dispenser Proper Signage (Labeled Areas, Rules) Roofed, Incased, Bulletin Board Drinking Water Receptacle Light Fence Secured Double Gate Ground Cover Native Dog Friendly and Dog Durable Plantings Irrigation System Drainage System Mobility Challenged Access

Environmental Concerns: 

Environmental Concerns Natural setting according to typology to provide shade, soil stability, and retaining the natural characteristics of the park. Plantings for soil stability, drainage, and aesthetically pleasing and stimulating environment. Appropriate ground cover for natural setting, typology, and durability for frequency of use. Proper irrigation and draining systems for best practice land care. Location selected for limited impact on other park users and park neighbors.

Process for Establishing Cost: 

Process for Establishing Cost Selection of Site Concept/ Space Planning Design Traffic/Usage Study Select Firm for Biddable Plans Select Materials Biddable Plans = Project Cost Estimate Select Contractors = Construction Cost Estimate Project and Cost Plan Developed

Construction, Local Community Comparison: 

Construction, Local Community Comparison

Construction, National Community Comparison: 

Construction, National Community Comparison

Maintenance: 

Maintenance Desired Water Facilities Lighting Amenities (benches, pavilion) Early conservative estimates maintenance of required and desired costs = $670 per month Required Ground Cover Irrigation Secure Double-gated Entry Fencing Waste Receptacles Signage Pathways

Maintenance, Local Community Comparison: 

Maintenance, Local Community Comparison

Maintenance, National Community Comparison: 

Maintenance, National Community Comparison Our Research shows the majority of Dog Park maintenance cost is considered part of the Parks department budget. This is not unusual when you consider the low maintenance possibilities and the revenue gain from a member driven park.

Membership Administration: 

Membership Administration Membership Driven Requirements City Dog License (City Partnership Required) Vaccinations (Rabies, DHP, Parvo, Bordetella) Liability Wavier (Agreement to Risk and Proper Behavior) Annual Membership Fee Residents of Kirkwood, Glendale, Oakland $25, $30, $35 (same as Recreation Station) Non-Resident $50, $60, $65 Processed via Community Center like Recreation Station Pass (City Partnership Required)

Membership Community Comparison: 

Membership Community Comparison ¾ ¾ 3 ½ 3 3 2 4 1 ¼ Public Public Public 3.5 Public 4.5 ? ?

Dog Park Administration: 

Dog Park Administration Governance Dismissal Special Events

Administration City Comparison: 

Administration City Comparison If Citizen group, then citizen group administers governance If solely run by a Park and Recreation department, then governed by that department.

Funding: 

Funding The Kirkwood Dog Park Association is committed to raising All funds necessary for construction and on going maintenance of the dog park. Construction Basic $60,000 – Best of Breed $200,000 Possible Funding Breakdown: $100 from 2,000 donors, or $50 from 2,000 donors and 10 corp/grant donors of $10,000 each

Funding Continued: 

Funding Continued Maintenance 1000 residents = $25,000 Annually ( Annual Maintenance = 1/3 of Annual Membership Fees) Additional Funding Opportunities: Sponsorship (Private and Corporate) Grants Gifts Special Events

Funding, Local Community Comparison: 

Funding, Local Community Comparison

Funding, National Community Comparison: 

Funding, National Community Comparison

Best of Breed: 

Best of Breed Because of the success of its first dog park, which lowered the occurrences of off-leash dogs terrorizing neighborhoods and ball fields, Tucson renovated two more existing parks for dog-only use, and is embarking on two new dog parks next year. “It has become something that people expect.” ~ East District Administrator Glenn Dixon, Tucson, AZ, “Cause for Paws” Parks and Recreation magazine

Proposed Timeline: 

Proposed Timeline March Formal Presentation April – September Fundraising April – June Planning June Select of Firm for Biddable Plans July – September Select Materials and Contractors Registration of Members October Construction November Grand Opening December Dog Park Gala

Costing to Build Timeline: 

Costing to Build Timeline Site Selected Concept/ Space Planning Design Traffic/Usage Study Select Firm for Biddable Plans Select Materials Biddable Plans = Project Cost Estimate Select Contractors = Construction Cost Estimate Project and Cost Plan Developed Pre-Site Selection Gather Estimates for the Proposal on the 4 Sites Concept/ Space Planning Design Draft Traffic/Usage Estimate Cost-out Possible Materials Cost-out Possible Construction Cost-out Possible Amenities Develop Proposal with Estimates on Construction, Maintenance, Administration, Operation, etc.

Best of Breed: 

Best of Breed “While many of the people who use the dog park are not able to provide sizable financial support, they have taken a real ownership of the area. I have seen a couple of men walking the whole area picking up after dogs to keep the area clean. People voluntarily bring extra plastic bags to share. These are the type of things that make me pleased to be a part of this community. ~ Sally Jackson and Spenser, Citizen of Sioux City IA on Lewis and Clark Dog Park

Expectations: 

Expectations What to Expect from the KDPA Partnership and Collaboration Transparency and Accountability Research on Best Practices Funds for Construction and Maintenance Member Work Days On-going Promotion and Administration

Expectations: 

Expectations Our Requests of the Park Board Partnership and Collaboration Transparency and Accountability Research on Best Practices Appropriation of Suitable Land On-going Promotion and Administration

What Can You Do?: 

What Can You Do? Individually Sign the Petition Write a letter to the Mayor, City Council and Park Board members Write a letter to the editor of the Kirkwood Journal, Webster-Kirkwood Times and the Post-Dispatch Ask friends and family to sign the petition and write letters Collect Petition Signatures on Your Block Become a member of the KDPA Become a registered member of the KDPA web site Attend Park Board Meetings (3rd Monday, Community Center) Attend City Council Meetings (1st and 3rd Thursday) Attend KDPA Meetings and Event Post KDPA Flyers and distribute on your block Vote for a park location

What Can You Do?: 

What Can You Do? KDPA Volunteer Share your professional talents Volunteer at the KDPA booth (Saturdays Apr –Oct at Farmers Market) Lead a Committee (Awareness, Fundraising, Petition, Grant Writing, Sponsorship, Strategy Think Tank, Park Design, Proposal Development, Public Relations) Participate as a Committee Member

Thank You: 

Thank You Thank You for this opportunity to introduce the Kirkwood Dog Park Association and our mission to you.