Hello all,
As you have likely noticed, the work on the new parking lot and expansion is progressing well. If you are not up on the history and details, in 2006 DIG successfully applied for PIAC (Public Improvement Advisory Committee- a city mechanism to fund neighborhood projects) funding for a parking lot and expansion. That work is now going, and includes a parking lot on the hill, fence expansion up the hill toward the lot, improvements to the area off 29th street and runoff control measures, specifically numerous rain gardens. I have attached an image file that contains a good snapshot of the overall plan ('#1' in image)- note that the general dimensions are accurate, but some items listed (like the terracing inside the present area near the big rocks) did not get included in the final plans (join the list to get the image- PR). A small dog area is planned for but not funded (area to the north of the parking area next to the fence in the image- more on that later). All of the non-plant related work should be done by 4/20.

Obviously, it is great that we are getting this work done to provide much needed parking and additional space, especially with the popularity of the off-leash area clearly growing. However, some inconvienences will come along with the construction. The contractor is required to block off areas where he is working for safety reasons. As a result, areas around the park may become inaccessible during the work, and it is possible the off-leash area itself may be closed at times if needed. We will do our best to encourage that the work be done as unobtrusively as possible, and will try to provide updates on areas being closed in advance, but expect the unexpected and adjust approriately. One possibly major inconvienence that is coming up is the work off of 29th street, which could result in that popular parking area not being available. Once the parking lot is poured (presently in progress), work will shift to the 29th street area (29th st. is the street that goes down the hill from the back of the Fed to Broadway). Please consider getting in the habit of using the Off Broadway Lot until the work is done. It will be the one parking and park access area that should remain available throughout the work, and is easily accessible by taking 29th down to Broadway, turning left (south) on Broadway and then veering to the right and going under the overpass to Off Broadway.

Obviously, please be considerate of the contractor. DO NOT cross orange fences, even if down. DO NOT park in the construction area on the hill. DO NOT park on the grass across from the 29th street parking area. Read updates sent to the list. Thanks, your cooperation will lead to the work being done more quickly!
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DIG had a meeting of our new board, and elected officers for 2009. They are:
Paul Randall - President
Bob Hale - Treasurer
Julie Weeks - Secretary

A subsequent email will provide contact information for all the board members. Of course, DIG can always be contacted by replying to this list, or through the 'contact us' link on the website (diginthepark.com). Please remember that DIG is a 501(c)3 non-profit, not a city funded organization, does not have formal authority over the park, and is limited in what we can do by how much volunteer and membership support we get. We are always interested in helping to make the park better and hear about ideas and concerns, but we can't fix everything, and even great ideas can only be acted upon if we have sufficient cooperation and volunteer support to make it happen. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please respond to the list!
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Although we are still hashing out some of our plans, we can share a few things DIG will definately be doing in 2009:
1. Will host a table at the Pet Expo April 18-19. We need volunteers, let us know if you want to help staff the table!
2. Will have a spring fundraiser at Pizza 51, likely in April. Again, will need volunteers.
3. Will host another 'Take your dog to movie night' with Parks and Rec on May 21st at the park. Ditto on volunteers. Movie TBD.
4. Have more regular and better attended cleanups. Again, need volunteers.
5. We are looking into funding the small dog area as our main focus in 2009. We will definately make this goal the beneficiary of one fundraiser. If we decide it is feasible, big volunteer and donation effort needed!
6. We are experimenting with alternating poop bag purchasing with Parks and Rec throughout 2009. The black bags on a roll are DIG purchased. Parks and Rec will be hurting in the new budget, so we are trying to help out.
7. We will try to do coffee events again this summer. This one will largely be decided by volunteer help- we can almost certainly get the coffee, but won't ask the same couple of people to do almost all of the events again this year, as it isn't fair. So if you want to help, let us know (it is easy). We will invite non-profits to come out for them, so it

helps not only DIG, but other doggie non-profits as well.
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We have gotten some complaints about some recent very poopy periods at the park, so please keep the following in mind. We realize that DIG members are probably among the most consistent at cleaning up after themselves, but unfortunately a greater share of the burden will always fall on the most responsible:

If you are already picking poop up, consider looking around for an extra pile to get with your bag.
Consider having your own little cleanups- five minutes spent getting everything you see is a huge help. I suspect independent clean-ups play a significant role in keeping the park clean. Thanks to all who do that!
If you know your dog always/usually does #2 at the park, but you didn't see it, pick up another pile to compensate for the one likely missed.
If you can't find a pile, pick up another one.
If you know of a regular who consistently fails to clean up after themselves, there is nothing wrong with nicely saying 'do you need a bag?' if they ignore what their dog just did.
If you see someone's dog doing #2 but they aren't paying attention, give them a head's up. Or pick it up yourself and nicely tell them later that they 'owe the park one'.
No one should get angry if asked to be responsible. Folks who do not make a sincere effort to clean up after their dogs are essentially telling everyone else in the off-leash area that cleaning up after their dog is everyone else's responsiblity. Parks and Rec does not pick up poo, and it takes a long time to break down naturally (while contaminating run-off the whole time). Peer pressure is the best solution to deal with the poo-irresponsible- folks will either start doing their doody or get sick of being hounded and stop coming. Which 'eliminates' the problem.... :)

Thanks, see everybody at the park!
Paul Randall, DIG President