Thanks to everyone who joined in the effort to show support for the development of a permanent dog park at Badger Mountain Park! At last night's park and rec meeting the gallery was standing room only with a solid hour of pro dog park comments during the public comment portion and not a single detractor. Everyone present was overwhelmed by the great outpouring of support, the passion people expressed, and the heartwarming personal accounts people shared of their love for dog parks. You made my job of presenting our case to the commission easy! I was so moved by everyone's comments and all the great points already expressed by you that I had to regroup to complete the TCDPS presentation we were scheduled for! During our presentation to the commission, I was able to share the results of our Badger Mountain Park petition -over 400 signatures collected in just two short weeks!

Following our presentation, we answered questions from the commission and there was much discussion prior to the voting. The main concern expressed by some of the commissioners was the large size of the proposed dog park and ongoing concerns about any expansion at Badger Mountain and increased traffic problems that will result. They also reminded dog park supporters that they are planning at least one, if not two, more future dog park locations in the Richland Park system so as not to feel that this location needs to be as large. In the end, the commission voted to approve a modified dog park proposal which would have a phase 1 plan for 2.5 acres of permanent dog park to be developed first and the additional 2.5 acres to be reserved and considered for future expansion if the need arises. For perspective, the current pilot park is 1/2 acre. The new dog park would include 1/2 acre lot just for small dogs which more than likely would not need to be rotated, and two 1 acre lots for the all dog area that would be rotated to maintain turf, essentially doubling the play area for the all dog area. There would also be trees and shade structures, water fountains, benches, nearby restrooms and parking etc to make this park much more user friendly.

TCDPS is very pleased with this compromise. We have been working to establish a permanent park since forming in March 2005. This is the first commitment to building the permanent site we have worked so hard for. The plan will now be sent to the Richland City Council for final approval.

Additionally, the commission stated that the Badger Mountain pilot park WILL remain open until such time as a permanent park is built. They have also approved an additional pilot park at Lawless Park in Richland behind Fred Meyer and will begin looking at developing that park soon. The initial vision for this park is to create a 3 acre hiking/ wilderness exploration park with natural habitat and grounds. The Big Sky Dog Park in Bend, OR is a beautiful dog park built on this same concept and park staff expressed to me that they will be visiting that park and reviewing its design for ideas for the Lawless Park location.

So what's the next step and how can we continue to insure the success of our dog park projects? First, write a quick note of thanks to our commissioners and park staff for their ongoing work on this. The Tri-City Dog Park Society formed at the initial urging of Richland Park staff over 4 years ago who encouraged us to partner with them on the project. Since that time, despite ups and downs, the commission has always been supportive of the concept of dog parks in our community but had to take a lot of heat from the prevalent "Not in my backyard" attitude that the commission refers to as "Nimby". Just like us, the commission is an all volunteer group and we are grateful for their continued efforts to address our wants and needs as responsible pet owners.

Secondly, we have been asked to help with some of the maintenance at the pilot park. Last week a volunteer team weed whacked the fencing and structures at the pilot park. We had to rent a gas weed whacker as none of us could come up with a cordless trimmer on short notice. So I will periodically pass along park maintenance requests to you as the need arises. We need to make good on our promise to help care for our dog park.

Additionally, TCDPS has set as a goal to once again approach the other communities in the Tri-Cities about offering dog parks to their residents, The Richland Park and Rec department and TCDPS agree that this is the ideal for dog parks, parks departments and pet owners. We hope that the success of the Badger Mountain pilot dog park and the eventual permanent site will ignite some passion to build dog parks in the other cities. I know many of you are traveling from other communities and will join TCDPS in the effort to have dog parks established in your local areas.

Lastly, the permanent Badger Mountain dog park will take lots of money and volunteer effort to build. The more help we can get in that direction, the quicker the project will be completed. Once the city council approves the master plan, we will need to get to work on assisting the building of this park. Remember, the Tri-City Dog Park Society is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible. We'll be asking for leads on grants and business sponsorship opportunities as well as individual donations and volunteer time. I know that together we will be able to get a lot done, as we have always been able to in the past. Thank you!

Audrey Ulrich
President, The Tri-City Dog Park Society
www.tricitydogparks.org

"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole."

Hello everyone!

I hope you and your fur friends are enjoying the nice Mid Columbia spring and having many fun romps at our pilot dog park. I am forwarding to you an important invitation from the Richland Parks and Rec Department to come show your support for the new Badger Mountain Park master plan which will be up for a Park and Rec vote this Thursday, May 14th 7pm at Richland City Hall Council Chambers 505 Swift Blvd. The new design would include an expanded PERMANENT 5 acre dog park site. (Proposed design attached here). The Tri-City Dog Park Society has been part of the planning process and we have been able to look over the design. We have found it to be a well designed park and are in favor of a strong "YES!" vote from our park and rec commission. I will be reading a statement of support during the open comment portion of the meeting and will ask for a show of hands in support of the proposal, so even if you are shy to give a comment, please come and raise your hand so that our Park and Rec commission knows there is strong support for this project. And if you wish to comment on the design, your general feelings about dog parks or anything else this is your chance to do so. If the commission votes yes on this project it will then go before the City Council for a final vote. Again the meeting is Thursday, May 14th 7pm Richland City Hall Council Chambers 505 Swift. Our participation at this meeting will be in lieu of our regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

Hope to see you there!

Audrey Ulrich
President, The Tri-City Dog Park Society

Note: Our monthly meeting has changed to the third Thursday each month, at 7 pm at Hastings Hardback Cafe in Richland. This is your opportunity to have a say in what we're doing and to know the latest information. All are welcome! Hope to see you there!

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4/3/09
The community meeting regarding expanding the dog park at Badger Mountain Park was a huge success for The Tri-City Dog Park Society and everyone who loves dog parks! The Badger Mountain Elementary School Library was standing room only with supporters for the project. Thank you to everyone who participated. Many great ideas were shared and plans for the expansion were reviewed. Many concerns encountered at the current location would be addressed by the new park's design. The new park will feature a small dog area and an all dog area. Each area will have two fenced parks that will be rotated to keep the grass, trees and shrubs healthy. The small dog area will be two 1/2 acre lots. The all dog area will be two 2 acre lots. Just for perspective, the park planner said the current location is just over 1/2 an acre. Plans include lots of trees, some covered seating areas, dog/owner drinking fountains, nearby rest rooms and parking just outside the dog park. Another important question was whether the current temporary site will remain until the new park is built and the answer is yes. They have extended the site past the original 6 months which would have ended in April.

The next step is for the Richland Park and Rec commission to vote on these alterations to the master plan. That is set to take place Thursday May 14th 7pm and council chambers 505 Swift in Richland. We need everyone to come out and speak in support of the new design. This is not the forum to argue about small details or problems with the current site. This is your opportunity to let the commission know how much you appreciate their efforts to create a more dog friendly park system and encourage them to vote yes on the modified plans. Once they vote yes on this we will be facing our last hurdle which will be a follow up vote from the Richland City Council. I look forward to seeing many of you at the next Park and Rec meeting Thursday May 14th 7pm.

Wag on!

Audrey Ulrich
President, The Tri-City Dog Park Society

 

 

Badger Mountain Dog Park info:    Map     Dog Park Photos here.

I've had tons of positive feedback and suggestions for making the dog park even better. Every time I drive by I see dogs and owners enjoying themselves. This park is a great first step. I hope that it will be a huge success and be chosen as a permanent dog park and also pave the way for more dog park locations throughout our community.

Reminders about the new dogpark for those of you who will be visiting:

1. The black portion of the fence is a recycled fence installed by the Little League Association and is not secure. We will be trying to take additional steps to make it more dog proof but it is possible for a dog to push under it or climb over it. It will be necessary for those of you with persistent and resourceful dogs to watch them closely in this area.
   
2. The double gate can be cumbersome to open and close. Please make sure that you get the locking post fully engaged.
   There is only one small poop bag station so whenever possible bring your own bags and leave extras tied to the gate.
   
3. This dog park is one size fits all, so those of you with small dogs need to be cautious of bigger dogs that can chase, catch and shake a small dog. Those of you with big dogs please make sure to monitor your dogs in the presence of smaller dogs.
   
4. We must all be willing to leave the park should a combination of personalities be incompatible. This park will be open everyday for the next six months so we will have plenty of opportunity for our dogs to exercise.
   
5. And finally, please, please, PLEASE keep your dogs on leash when outside of the park!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   We already had an incident where dogs off-leash outside of the park rushed an owner with dogs on-leash jogging around the perimeter. In my time there I saw lots of owners walking leashed dogs nearby. These owners were part of the reason that this park was installed because they raised concerns over off-leash dog play on the ball fields. If this rule is not observed, this park will be considered a failure and will not be chosen as a permanent site. If you see others with dogs off-leash coming and going from the park please let them politely know that leash law compliance is necessary to continued operation of dog parks. We have all worked long and hard to make this happen, now let's be on our best behavior while still having a tail waggin' good time!

 

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About us:

The Tri-City Dog Park Society was formed in March of 2005 by a group of citizens who wanted to establish off-leash recreational areas for dog owners.  With an estimated 50,000 dogs in the Tri-Cities area, it is evident that there is a huge need for a dog park here.  Many new residents to the area have lived in cities that provided off leash dog parks and are disappointed to find no such options in the Tri-Cities. TCDPS has been actively working to raise support for this cause through public education, pet fairs and news media.  In May of 2005 TCDPS put together a petition to collect signatures of support for a dog park in the Tri-Cities area.  In less than a year TCDPS has collected almost 1,000 signatures of support!  In the spring of 2005 the Richland Parks Department sent out their annual survey.  Due in part to educational efforts of TCDPS, the number one requested new amenity was a dog park!  Since that time, The Tri-City Dog Park Society had been actively working with Richland, Kennewick and Pasco Park departments to evaluate potential sites for a dog park. TCDPS is also actively fundraising to help with the cost of establishing a dog park once a suitable location is found. 

Currently, Kennewick is pursuing plans to put a dog park in Columbia Park!  There are many steps that need to be taken before the park becomes a reality, but TCDPS is ready to consult with park design and provide funding for construction projects.  Through the hard work of TCDPS and local parks departments the dream of bringing a dog park to the Tri-Cities is within reach.

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