September 2005 DOA Meeting Minutes

Attendees (dogs): Sam Soldan & Jonathan Fingerut (Xena), Steve Springer (Shadow), DOA Pres. Sharon Blumberg (Sasha), Jennifer Harvey (Cleo), Annette and Al Rudin (Elle), Kelli Schmitz (Murphy), Rebecca & Scott Shandler (Lexi), Carol Eaton (Fletcher), Carolyn Duffy (Max), Sarah Mitchell (Buddy), Cristina Hanganu-Bresch (Idéfix), Rachel Adams & Sean Kaplan (Markley), Amro Elhetami (Potter), Heidi Rosen (Gus and Poe), Zeth Weissman (Ginger), Chris Fanelli (Jake and Jack), Elizabeth Begosh (Henry), Cathy Holland (Brody), Mike Higley & Jess Cardin (Luther) Ann Shine (Biloxi & Manderley), Sarah & Carrie (Bridgette)

I. Dog Park Maintenance/Improvements

A. Fall Clean-up:

• The fall clean up will be held on Sunday, October 16 from 10:00AM - 12:00PM. The rain date is Saturday, October 22 with the rain date for the rain date being Sunday, October 23.
• Jonathan Fingerut, Carolyn Duffy, and Al Rudin will organize the Clean up.
• Tools will be borrowed from the garden co-op next to the dog park. In addition, volunteers are encouraged to bring their garden tools.
• Tasks that need to be performed include: filling holes, tacking down and covering exposed surfaces, moving benches, sweeping, lining fence with material to prevent stones and wood chips from exiting the dog park, fixing gap in the fence of the small dog park, and raking in new wood chips in the front of the small dog park.
• List of items that need to be purchased/procured: wood chips (will be provided by Fairmount Park), Jonathan Fingerut will purchase lining for the front of the dog park.

B. Trees:

• Discussion of care needed
• Volunteers to water and take care of new trees: September and October: Sam Soldan and Jonathan Fingerut, November: Sean Kaplan and Rachel Adams, December: Chris Fanelli.

C. Memorial for dogs who have passed:

• Several ideas were discussed. Cathy Holland will email Williamson trade school to find out about engraving bricks.
• We will ask dog park member and sculptor Eric Berg for his input.
• Possible ideas include: engraved bricks, engraved name tags in shape of bones for benches or trees.

D. Bulletin board for the Small dog park:

• It was determined that an additional bulletin board for the small dog park is a nice idea, but not necessary.

E. Fountain:

• Don't put a leash around the button to keep it on.
• Members will look into the possibility of a foot pedal or motion sensor for the fountain.
• Hit the back side button if it won't turn off.
• Fountain will be turned off just before the first frost.
• We will continue to pressure the city to install additional water fountains in the park to keep kids out of the dog run.

F. Other Ideas:

• Annette Rudin and others would like to see the small dog park completely re-surfaced as the stones are more hygienic than the wood chips. We will re-address this issue in the Spring.

II. Dog Park Safety and Hygiene Issues

A. Dog Patrol

B. Town Watch

C. Increased criminal activity in the neighborhood

• Increased muggings in the area, kids mugging people for cell phones. Stay alert and inform police and Dog Owners' Association of any incidents.

D. Limitations on number of dogs per dogwalker in dog run?

• The consensus was that this is not necessary.

E. Aggressive dogs

• Report significant incidents to info@phillyfido.net
• Call PACCA to report serious incidents or abandoned dogs (215)685-9025 (day) or (215)685-9030 (night).

F. Hygiene

• The issue of flies in the dog park was discussed. We will look into fly paper and extra poop patrols to keep the fly population down next summer.

G. New solutions to replenish poop bags

• It was decided that we will purchase poop bags to keep up with demand. Please bring extra plastic bags to the park and encourage people to bring their own. BJs has 1,000 bags for $10. Sharon purchase 1,000 bags at Sam's club for $11. The money to purchase plastic bags will come from Dog Owners' Association funds.

III. Dog friendly Activities & Community Issues

A. FSRP festival October 15-CANCELLED.

• Heidi Rosen, Annette Rudin, and Sarah Mitchell graciously offered to help with the FSRP festival. However, as the festival was cancelled, this will not be necessary.

B. Joint activities with Mayor's Alliance and PPP

• A good idea to be explored further.

V. Fundraising

A. Membership: $20 membership, forms available.

• Raise money for park improvements/resurfacing.
• Input on dog park decisions.
• Participation in dog park events.
• Send in photos of yourselves and dogs for website to info@phillyfido.net

B. Membership Drive and Fundraiser

• The fundraising drive will kick off on October 16 with the Fall clean up.
• Volunteers to sign up for shifts. Sam Soldan will send an email to ask everyone to sign up for shifts. We will have shifts for the morning and post-work rush hours.
• During the membership drive we will distribute membership forms and sell dog breed socks, etc.
• Microchipping: Sam Soldan is looking into the availability of the PSPCA microchipping van on October 16, Oct 22 or Oct 23.

C. Fundraising for canine victims of Katrina?

• Members are encouraged to donate to www.noahswish.org

D. Ideas to get people more involved in the Dog Owners' Association

• The idea of either a bracelet (people) or collar (dog) to identify Dog Owners' Association members was discussed. This idea had a mixed reception. Some felt that it would help make those who attend the dog park aware of the Dog Owners' Association. Others felt that very few people will actually use the bracelets or collars and that it would be a waste of plastic and money. Zeth Weissman suggested collars (see http://gateway.hsus.org/hsusdev/) Will give a small donation to the Humane Society.

VI. New Chairs

A. Congratulations to:

• Zeth Weissman, Fundraising Chair.
• Sean Kaplan, Treasurer.

B. Thank You to:

• Wendy Gossfield (outgoing Fundraising Chair)
• Jennifer Parrish (outgoing Treasurer)

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