One Step Closer To A Dog Park In Parma!

Working with Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter while acquainting him with the Parma Area Dog Park Association's business plan.

Tuesday, March 24th, was an exciting step forward for the Parma Area Dog Park Association (PADPA). We met with Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter and Recreation Director Mickey Vittardi. During our meeting, we discussed some of the main concerns of the city leaders regarding the development of a dog park in the city. Those concerns are liability, safety, cost, maintenance, and location. I feel that we have addressed these concerns and we all agree that we need to perform our due diligence with this endeavor to make it a success. 

That being said, a city dog park is not a novel idea, at least outside of Parma. PADPA is not trying to reinvent the wheel and will be utilizing the knowledge of those who created dog parks before us, incorporating their successes while avoiding the duplication of their failures. At our most recent meeting, we invited a special guest, Karen Karp, President of the Friends of Lakewood Dog Park, who provided facts and figures about the Lakewood Dog Park and was able to answer questions about how their park is managed. The Lakewood Dog Park and the South Euclid Dog Park are both similarly run as a city park partnered with a nonprofit group. This is how PADPA would like to model our relationship with the City of Parma. Liability will be addressed by the city's Law Department and we will learn what steps need to be taken to protect all involved while creating a safe environment for all park goers. 

To address the issues of cost and maintenance, PADPA is offering to partner with the City of Parma in this endeavor with PADPA providing ALL DEVELOPMENTAL FUNDS through fund raising, donations, and grants.  Let me state that again that NO ADDITIONAL TAX PAYER FUNDS would be used to establish this park.  There are many options that PADPA can pursue to develop a dog park that would not involve tax dollars or take money away from the needs of the city.  Once we get the city’s approval, there are even contests and grants that PADPA can apply for.  As we are a nonprofit 501c3, any donations would be tax deductible and we are also seeking corporate sponsorships.  We have an extensive business plan developed as well.  It is PADPA’s goal to offer the community another recreational activity to enhance the City of Parma.  As PADPA begins fundraising for the development of the dog park, we encourage the community to come out to support our endeavor.

We are willing to work together with the city to find the best location for a dog park.  PADPA’s first choice is an empty lot within Veterans Memorial Park, a centrally located park in Parma.  If this location is selected, we would like to dedicate it to our nation's Veterans and the dogs of war who deserve to be honored for their military services.  The lot is actually located between (but set back from) the Veterans Memorial and the playground and pavilion. The lot is surrounded by trees and hills to insulate the noise from the dog park and contains ample parking. We have determined that there are no homes within 3000 ft of the location.  We are aware that no one wants a dog park in their backyard and by finding an ideal location we can make sure the park is a success in this way.  However, we are open to other possible locations.

PADPA wants to make this a reality for our community and only by working hand-in-hand with the city can we do so.  We also need community support.  We’re always looking for active volunteers to help with fundraising events.  Our next event will be at the Parma Safety Fair on April 25th, so please stop by and say hi, sign our petition, and ask any questions you may have.  You can also email us at parmadogpark@yahoo.com. Check out our website at ParmaDogPark.wix.com/main to learn more and follow us on Facebook.com/ParmaDogPark and Twitter.com/ParmaDogPark to keep up with the latest developments. 

Join our team - let’s make a Parma Dog Park a reality and keep moving Parma forward! 

Katie Liepold

Parma Area Dog Park Association President

Katie Liepold

Katie Liepold is the President of the Parma Area Dog Park Association

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Volume 7, Issue 4, Posted 11:31 AM, 04.01.2015