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Sent to the list 9/4-
Hey all,
A number of folks are trying hard to get the Park Board to revise or rescind some of the flawed decisions contained in their response to the Dog Park Task Force's report, and we could use your help. Although several other very questionable decisions were included (picking locations the TF thought were poor, changing basic DP requirements to remove having a water source, etc.), as the rule changes directly impact Penn Valley, that has been my focus.
If you need to be brought up to speed, last Tuesday the Board delivered their recommendations in response the dog park task force report. The most shocking changes, at least from my point of view as a task force member, were the rule changes. The task force took a lot of time figuring out whether changes to the Penn Valley rules were needed- you may remember a few emails that went to this list on the subject, looking for feedback. There was some discussion on new rules for children, but the overwhelming consensus was that no significant changes were needed- that folks bringing kids to the park should be trusted to do so responsibly- like any other city park. I have seen lots of families with small children enjoying the dog park, and am aware of no real issues regarding kids in the dog park. As a result of these discussions with PVP DP users and among the task force, along with internet research, the task force concluded new rules on kids were not necessary, and explained our reasoning in detail in the Appendix of the report. Unfortunately, the Board either didn't read or didn't agree with our recommendations, and unanimously approved two rule changes- one limiting users to two dogs per person (which bans me- I have three) and another banning children under 8. The following letter (at bottom of email) will hopefully make the Star, but regardless, if you don't agree (and if you don't bring kids under 8 or more than 2 dogs, please consider the many reponsible users that do, as well as the fact that these situations may fit you someday), please contact the Board, political officials, and the media (see contact info below- thanks Ali!) --Click on'Read More' below--. I don't like having to beat the Board over the head to get these changed, but they don't seem to respond to much else- for instance, an email sent to the Board before these changes were approved pointing out our concerns did not generate a reply. Please see the text of the letter to the editor below for points, if necessary. If we don't fight these, don't be surprised if other arbitrary dog park rule changes come out of nowhere in the future. Thanks for helping!
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Couple of quick notes:
Be aware there is a small hole at the top of the expansion area under the fence from erosion- smaller dogs (20lbs or less, probably) can fit through it. We will try to relocate some rocks to deal with it, but FYI- good reason to use the small dog area!
The small area at the end of the new parking lot is not for parking, it is to make it easier for folks trying to back out of the last spaces. If there aren't lines denoting parking spaces, it isn't a parking spot. Not a huge deal, at least until somebody backs into a car parked there...
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There are a bunch of cool events coming up-
Parks is doing their second annual 'Dippin' Dogs' swim party next Wed. at the Springs Aquatic Center up north. Should be really cool this year, as the Springs is an actual mini-water park and there may be more fun things to get in other than a pool. Also supports doggie charities, and Hallmark is supposedly going to be out there looking for doggie talent. See link- advance registration required.
Later in Sept. (26th), the Royals are
doing a doggie charity game.
Our friends at KC Disc Dogs are having an event in Grain Valley-
To: Everyone
From: Kansas City Disc Dogs
Subject: 4th Annual Grain Va=ley Disc Dog Catch
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2009
Location: =rmstrong Park,
=3B 713 S Main StTime: 10:00 Registration
&n=sp; 10:30 First Toss
4. Our Blue Springs dog park (great park, has a pond, check it out sometime!) friends have a dock dog fundraiser/competition coming up-
Help spread the word! The Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival, in partnership with MoKan Dock Dogs and RUFF, will host a Dock Dog event September 18-20th. Youve seen Dock Dogs competitions, its the fastest growing sport in the US. Open to all dogs regardless of breed or size, its a fun activity for dogs and people! Dogs will compete in all three disciplines of Big Air, Extreme Vertical and Speed Retrieve, competing to see who can jump farther, higher and faster than the rest of the pack.
see everybody at the park- with my three dogs... :)
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Letter to Star-
Last week, the Park Board delivered a disappointingly flawed response to the Dog Park Task Force's report. In addition to picking several dog park locations which the Task Force saw as poor (South Oak Park) to very poor (Blue River Athletic Fields), and making other choices which diverge widely from the recommendations, two arbitrary rule changes for dog park's were included, banning users with more than two dogs (which excludes me- one of my three dogs is not volunteering to stay home) and children under 8. Neither of these rules address an existing problem, and both situations were specifically addressed in the report. The many pictures of young children enjoying the Penn Valley dog park with their families in the task force's report reflect that dog parks get people, including families, back in city parks, which should be a good thing. It is especially disappointing that the Board approved these changes despite educated recommendations otherwise, and without consulting Penn Valley dog park users or the Park Partner organization supporting the dog park. The Park Board would be well served to rescind or revise these rule changes, as well as other poor decisions included in their response to the Task Force's report.
Paul Randall
President, Dogpark Improvement Group (diginthepark.com)
Dog Park Task Force member
contacts-
Parks & Recreation Contacts
http://www.kcmo.org/parks.nsf/web/contact
Mayors Office
http://www.kcmo.org/mayor.nsf/web/home?opendocument
Mayor Mark Funkhouser
City Hall, 29th floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 513-3500 Fax: (816) 513-3518 E-mail: mayor@kcmo.org
City Council
http://www.kcmo.org/council.nsf/council/home?opendocument
1st District
The 1st District is mostly located within Clay County with a portion in Jackson County that includes the northeast neighborhoods of Kansas City.
Councilwoman Deb Hermann
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1624
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Terri Wolfe terri_wolfe@kcmo.org
Councilman Bill Skaggs
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1619
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Jackie Burton jackie_burton@kcmo.org
2nd District
The 2nd District is rich in history. It is very large and is comprised of two distinct sections (north and south of the river). North of the river, is located within Clay and Platte counties. The 2nd District also is the city's aviation hub with the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport and Kansas City International. South of the river, the district includes the West Bottoms, the Downtown Loop and the River Market, which is the city's birthplace.
Councilman Ed Ford
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1601
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Lisa Minardi lisa_minardi@kcmo.org
Councilman Russ Johnson
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1622
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Traci Gleason traci_gleason@kcmo.org
3rd District
The 3rd District has both the heart of the urban core and older suburbs beyond the Blue River. It is the home of Kansas City jazz and the heart of the historic African American community in the city. The 3rd District has the remains of some of the city's first heavy industrial uses.
Councilwoman Melba Curls
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1605
Fax: (816) 513-1612 melba_curls@kcmo.org Assistant: Reva Simmons
Councilwoman Sharon Saunders Brooks
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1608
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Kimberly Randolph kimberly_randolph@kcmo.org
4th District
The 4th District has parts that are up to 150 years old. Today, it remains one of the strongest parts of the city in terms of quality of life, contribution to culture and entertainment, and economic development. The 4th District can claim as its own many of the people whose names are closely associated with the city's history, present and future, including Dr. David Waldo, John Wornall, William Rockhill Nelson and J.C. Nichols.
Councilwoman Beth Gottstein
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1616
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Jim Giles jim_giles@kcmo.org
Councilwoman Jan Marcason
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1617
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Susan Borge susan_borge@kcmo.org
5th District
Originating as a trading post along the Santa Fe Trail in the early 19th century, the 5th District is burgeoning with Civil War and early Western American history, while also providing a more rural feel than the growth-oriented districts to its west. The district is home to the Swope Parkway, Kansas City Zoo and the Truman Sports Complex, which houses the city's professional football and baseball teams.
Councilwoman Cindy Circo
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1633
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Gina Boucher gina_boucher@kcmo.org
Councilman Terry Riley
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1633
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Gina Boucher gina_boucher@kcmo.org
6th District
The 6th District has a long history as an agricultural and early trading center dating back to the Santa Fe Trail and a shorter, post-World War II history as an urban and suburban development area. Elements of both still coexist in the district.
Councilwoman Cathy Jolly
City Hall, 24th floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1602
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Lisa Sturgeon lisa_sturgeon@kcmo.org
Councilman John A. Sharp
City Hall, 22nd floor 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 513-1615
Fax: (816) 513-1612 Assistant: Araceli Gallegos araceli_gallegos@kcmo.org
