• Strength in numbers: Form a group with other dog owners. Establish the group as a non profit corporation to demonstrate your commitment.
• Get help: Dont reinvent the wheel. Many other people have started a dog park in their city. Get in touch with other groups for guidance and support.
• Get informed: Contact the city officials and the local parks department for guidance on starting a park.
• Site selection: Identify potential locations, preferably sites that are not heavily used and that have parking nearby. Your local parks department may be able to help you with this.
• Education: Work to education dog owners and others in your area about the benefits of a dog part for both humans and dogs. Hold community meetings to discuss the park and answer questions. Emphasize benefits such as an increased feeling of community, more exercise opportunities, fewer unleashed dogs in other parks, and a positive financial impact for local businesses near dog parks. Dogs who are exercised regularly and socialized with people and other dogs are happier and often experience fewer behavioral problems.
• Public relations: Good public relations keep the community on your side. Organize events that demonstrate the groups commitment to responsible dog ownership.
• Play politics: Get to know your city councilperson and other local government officials. Find someone sympathetic to your cause in city government.
• Plan: A good plan considers the type of fencing and surfacing to be used, waste disposal, and how the park will be maintained. Include a budget and plans for fundraising. Determine whether the city will help with funds to build the park or if all funds will be acquired through private means.
• Rules and Regulations: Create rules for users of the dog park and have a plan to enforce them once the park is up and running. Organize a dog park advisory board to address issues as they arise. Find volunteers to monitor the park and advise visitors on the rules.
• Stay involved: Your work isnt over after the ground is broken. Demonstrate your commitment to the park by keeping up on rule enforcement, cleanup, and maintenance.
