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| Start a Dog Owners' Group |
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Any time you're asking for an allocation of public resources—such as parkland, or grant dollars, or both—it's wise to show that that allocation will benefit a significant portion of the population. Starting a dog owners' group is a great way to do that. A dog owners' group with a large and varied membership will help convince City Hall that your request for a dog run should be taken seriously and will provide you with minds and hands to accomplish all the tasks necessary to get your project off the ground.
In San Francisco, having an organized group behind your proposal is more than a good idea; it's a requirement. The San Francisco Recreation & Park Department pet policy requires a partnership with—and a signed agreement from—a local dog owners' group or park booster group before dog play area can be approved. The thinking is that, with a solid, active group in place, the run will be better maintained, and any issues that arise (noise complaints, aggressive dogs, etc.) will be easier to address.
Luckily, San Francisco is a city of dog lovers, and that makes starting a dog owners' group relatively easy. Begin by collecting contact info (names, addresses, phone numbers and especially email addresses) from the dog owners you see on your daily walks. Ask for information on their relevant skills and areas of interest, too, so that you can contact people for help in specific areas of the project (landscape architects, publicists and lawyers are particularly helpful, as are parents who can help you gain support from local schools and sports leagues).
When you've assembled a starter list, contact those owners and ask them to pass word of the group, and your dog park idea, to others. You can also post a notice on Craig's List or hang fliers in spots frequented by dog owners, such as parks, coffee shops, pet supply stores, and vet's offices.
Establishing a website, or even just an online discussion board (a Yahoo Group, for instance), will help your group stay connected and informed and give you a place to post important documents and gather input.
It's helpful to make contact with other local dog owners' groups, to share information and get advice. To find other neighborhood dog owners' groups in the Bay Area, visit the website for the San Francisco Dog Owners Group.
Once your group is well-established, register with the person responsible for coordinating volunteer efforts at the Recreation & Park Department. Participating in general park work days, coordinating dog poop clean-ups or arranging for the installation of bag dispensers will help you increase visibility and support for your project and make vital contacts, both in the community and at City Hall.
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