Calling ALL Sunset Park Dog Owners

Sunset Bark has been a little quiet; I apologize! We all have had so much to think about since our enlightening and eye-opening Public Hearing on June 10 – and we have SO much to talk about now!

As some of you might be aware, there was once a really chatty Yahoo! Group, a few years back, for SP dog owners, but it’s gone a bit the way of the dodo and in the interest of really kick-starting some of the momentum we have after the Public Hearing, I’ve started up a Google Group and I’m asking every single interested dog owner to JOIN right there on the left, where it says “CLICK TO JOIN”.

We have a lot to talk about – what do we want from the Parks Department? What’s important to us as owners? What do we need to do to get it? I think everyone left that Public Hearing feeling like there was SO much more we could accomplish if we rolled all our energies towards one goal, and the first step is to start a dialogue and plan a few pow-wows!

So PLEASE join the Google Group – I’ll definitely keep updating the blog with information, ideas, and cool photos but I think the day-to-day planning and dialogue should happen in our Group and if you’re not there, you’ll miss a chance to make your opinions and ideas heard!

photos, and a reminder

Hey SP-ers! I’ve got two big notes for you right now:

1. Come to our PLANNING SESSION! To remind you, it’s
Tuesday, June 2
7PM
642 52nd St., between 6th and 7th Aves, GROUND FLOOR

At the meeting we’ll talk about our strategies for more canvassing, discuss the needs of SPDOG going forward, and plan how to successfully campaign at the PUBLIC HEARING on June 10!

2. I want your dogs! Well, not for real, but I really want pictures of our local dogs, to add to the shiny new SUNSET BARKERS page. I’ve added mine, and Nina’s, and now I need yours. Have adorable dog pictures? Of course you do. Send them to me, via email, and tell me a little about them – where you got them, what their names are, what’s so awesome about them – and I’ll post it on the Sunset Barkers page!

That’s all, folks. Come to the planning meeting (shoot us an email or leave a comment and let us know you’ll be there) and send me your DOGS!

How about that dog run?

So you’re thinking, what’s this dog run everyone’s fussing about? First click here and read all about the proposal and how to get it accomplished – now let’s talk about the run itself.

The Parks Department-proposed run is an excellent parcel of land in an excellent location; we’re lucky to have such a supportive District Manager! They really thought through where to put it.

The run would be located along the southern wall of the Recreation Center, and curving around the fence of the pool.  It’s a huge piece of  land, with a few trees along its border for shade and trees along the pool fence as well. Since it’s not on the edge of the park, it’s less of a jump risk or a noise complaint problem, and it’ll be subdivided into a smaller dog run and a larger dog run. They’ll be installing secure box doors, as well. All told it’s at least 2000 square feet of awesome dog-dedicated space! INCREDIBLE!

Here’s what it’d look like:

Isn’t that great? It’s a nice piece of land and we, SPDOG, are going to take great care of it – think of all the neighbors you’ll meet, sitting on a bench watching your dogs have tons of fun in a safe, leash-free environment!

Dog runs have proven time and again to be excellent sources of community and education; they make their parks safer and help foster responsible dog ownership! Plus, dogs love them.

We’re really looking forward to showing the Parks Committee and the Community Board how dedicated we are to this great addition to Sunset Park; we think the neighbors deserve it and our dogs do, too. We can’t do it without you! If you’re a dog owner, now’s the time to let us know you’re here and get involved! So Email us – tell us about your dog, why you want a run, and what you’d be willing to do to help.

Come to the meeting!

Sunset park dog owners! The steering committee is holding a PLANNING SESSION:

Tuesday, June 2
7PM
642 52nd St., between 6th and 7th Aves, GROUND FLOOR

At the meeting we’ll talk about our strategies for more canvassing, discuss the needs of SPDOG going forward, and plan how to successfully campaign at the PUBLIC HEARING on June 10!

We’ll also have chips, drinks, and just get to know each other – SPDOG is for every dog owner in Sunset Park!

Are you PASSIONATE about the dog run? EMAIL US and we can send you flyers and information to put up in your building or pass on to your dog-owner friends! The more we get the word out, the more support we’ll have at our Public Hearing from fellow dog owners and lovers!

PUBLIC HEARING!

After many years and many meetings, SPDOG is on the calendar for a PUBLIC HEARING about the dog run that the wonderful Parks Department has proposed!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2009
6:30 PM
4201 4th Avenue at 42nd Street!

This public hearing is for the Parks Committee to vote on the proposed Dog Run, and pass their recommendation on to the full Community Board 7. We are so excited for this opportunity and we know there are dozens upon dozens of dog owners in our neighborhood who agree! We want your support, your signatures, and your involvement!

Get in touch with us via email (sunsetbark@gmail.com) or leave a comment on this site – we can’t wait to hear from you, and we’re looking forward to seeing you at the meeting, ready to voice your enthusiasm for a wonderful run!

Keep your eye on this site – we’ll be posting new updates, information about the proposed run and its benefits, and more information about our group!

Benefits of Dog Runs

Dog runs have proven time and again to be a fantastic place for dog owners and their dogs! Here are some reasons why:

1) Giving dogs their own place to play means they’re less likely to disturb other users of the park;

2) Adequate off-leash play and exercise helps make dogs better neighbors. A dog that gets plenty of exercise is less likely to bark incessantly or jump on people;

3) Dog runs bring people together, create a sense of community, and provide a forum for dog owners to share information that can help foster more responsible pet ownership. That in turn makes dog owners better neighbors;

4) Encouraging dog owners and their dogs to use the parks regularly (as dog runs do) helps deter crime in and around parks.

Sign our petition if you want a dog run in Sunset Park! We’re working hard on it and we hope you’ll join us.

New Digs for SPDOG!

As SPDOG ramps up for our exciting PUBLIC HEARING on June 10, 2009, we wanted to get the word out with a fresh new blog; our old site was awesome but blogs are the way forward! We’ve got plenty more to add to this site and we hope you’ll stop by frequently, especially if you’re a dog lover in Sunset Park!

So say hello in the comments, tell us what you love about our neighborhood and our park, and add us to your RSS feed readers! We’re glad to be here.