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Canton

Dog Park

ProposalPresented By:

Joshua T. Medeiros, MS, CPRP

Director of Parks and Recreation

on behalf of the Friends of the Canton Dog Park

Overview: Key Questions

� 1: What is a Dog Park? And why do we need one in Canton?

� 2: Where will the park be located and what will it look like?

� 3: How much will it cost and how will funding be secured?

� 4: What happens once it’s created? Safety? Maintenance?

� 5: Action requested by the Board of Selectmen

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What is a Dog Park?� Off-leash enclosed fenced in park

� 1,200 in United States (including our neighbors Granby, Simsbury and Bristol to name a few).

� Allows dogs to exercise and socialize safely

� Promotes responsible dog ownership

� Provides an outlet for owners to socialize

� Economic Benefits

Source: National Recreation & Parks Association

Why do we need a Dog Park in

Canton?

� Creation of Friends Group (80 members, 1,300 dogs registered in town)

� Survey Creation & Results:

� 635 individual's e-mailed. 263 responses. 41% response rate (average response rate for online surveys is 25%)

� 83% in favor of parks creation

� 85% would use the park one or more times per week

� 97% of users were willing to clean up after their own dogs

� 78% willing to contribute financially to start up of park

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Potential Location of Dog Park

�Maglaty Property (on Dowd Ave off Commerce Drive).

� 7 Acre property (approx. 1 acre for park)

� Forest Concept= Shade, limited maintenance

� Abuts Farmington River Trail= connective

� Light traffic, limited residential

� Easily accessible (Route 44, Collinsville)

� Land Acquisition- Land Swap Deal

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Parks Cost Money: How much?

And who is paying?

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How to pay for the park?

� Funded by the Friends of

Canton Dog Park

�Community Donations

� Annual Fundraising Events � Pooch Plunge

� Pictures with Santa/Easter Bunny

� Halloween Costume Contest

� Business Sponsorship

� Naming opportunities

Pooch Plunge Summer 2015

Draft Budget

�Creation of Dog Park- $30,000 approx.

� Annual Operating Costs- $4,000 approx.

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What happens once it’s

created?

� Town Responsibilities (Draft)� Scheduling services (dumpster, port-o-john)� Ordering supplies (doggie bags, mulch)� Plowing parking lot in winter� Serve in advisory capacity to Friends Group

� Friends of Canton Dog Park Responsibilities (Draft)� Education �Weekly visits/clean up � Staffing & coordinating events to generate money� Reporting incidents to Parks & Recreation officials

Safety and Liability

�Dog Park Rules & Regulations- Signage at park, online, brochures and pamphlets.

� Educational workshops at community center and the park.

�Community partnerships (Dogology, Veterinary).

�CT General Statue Sec.22-357: Strict Liability Law of One Who Keeps a Dog

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The Proposal & Action

Requested

� 1: Land Swap with Canton Land Trust

� 2: Authorization from First Selectmen Leslee Hill on necessary land use applications

� 3: Vote to approve the Dog Park project and allow the Friends of Canton Dog Park to begin fundraising initiatives.

April Adams & Bo

Peggy Milanese & Olive

Natalie Olmstead & BellaSandra Jacobus & Kenya (left), Mason (right). Photo courtesy of Dogology

Addison & John Aubin with Bentley & Chesney