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!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

Hello everyone,
I wanted to share with everyone our plans for DIG in 2008! They are quite aggressive, involving more events, including many at the park. Should be a fun year at the park- we hope you can come out and support us at these events! We also always need more volunteers- let us know if you are available.

It also seems logical to mention what we accomplished in 2007, which is detailed at the end of this email.

Plans for 2008
DIG will-
1. conduct seven 'Coffee with the Dogs' events, 9-11 AM first Saturdays of each month, April 5 - October 4. We will provide great, locally roasted coffee- you all provide the conversation. These events will be weather permitting.
2. have seven 'Hairy Happy Hours' at the park, where we will bring a cooler (or coolers) with soft drinks to sell for small donations, with cooler space left for BYOB'ers. 5:30 to 7:30 PM, third Thursdays of each month, April 17th - October 16th. Weather permitting.
3. have three larger fundraising events- a Spring event at Pizza 51, an educational event (similar to the event we had with Dr. Hunthausen), and a big fundraiser in August (like our 'Dog Days' fundraiser last year).
4. conduct bi-monthly Park Cleanups- March 9th, June 8th, August 10th, October 12th.
5. push, hard but politely, to get the PIAC work funded last year done ASAP. Expectation is that work will at least be out for bid by Spring (4/1). If that date is not met, we will push harder and harder the longer work is delayed. These improvements are badly needed- especially for handicapped users.

What we accomplished in 2007:
• Applied and approved for 501(c)3 non-profit status.

• Applied and received a $155,000 PIAC grant for a parking lot and expansion.

• Raised nearly $5000 at two large and several smaller fundraising events- slightly less than $4000 in bank starting 2008.

Hello all,
We have a new DIG Board of Directors! Overall, there are very few changes- we elected the same officers as last year. The Board consists of:
1. Millie Crossland - Secretary
2. Stephanie Fuqua - Fundraising Committee Chair

3. Bob Hale - Treasurer

4. Jon Lowe

5. Suzanne Niemeyer

6. Paul Randall - President

7. Julie Weeks - Fundraising Committee Chair

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attached below is the agenda from the meeting, which lists a lot of good information, including what we accomplished this year. Note that the volunteer of the year voting has not been completely finalized- the winner will be announced soon. Also, expect another email in the next few weeks with our plans for 2008, which are quite aggressive. Keep your eyes open- I think many people will be excited about some of the things (coffee at the park, happy hours, more great fundraisers...) we are planning!

Dogpark Improvement Group (DIG) Annual Meeting Agenda- 1/14/08



1. Who we are:

· The Dogpark Improvement Group (DIG) is a volunteer, non-profit organization composed of individuals coming together to support the Penn Valley Dogpark. As of January 14th, 2008, DIG has 121 members. DIG is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

· The DIG mission statement:

The Dogpark Improvement Group Corporation (DIG) is a not-for-profit, charitable corporation dedicated to:

1. Improvement of the Penn Valley Dogpark (park) in Kansas City , Missouri by raising funds to promote the physical structure and overall conditions of the park.

2. Advocating with the appropriate governmental officials and other organizations to promote the park's needs and its patrons' concerns.

3. Promote responsible dog ownership through education.

4. Support other charitable pet organizations if and when appropriate.

· Board members and officers for 2007:

1. Millie Crossland - Secretary

2. Stephanie Fuqua - Fundraising Committee Chair

3. Bob Hale - Treasurer

4. Jon Lowe

5. Kathleen McCarther - Fundraising Committee Chair

6. Paul Randall - President

7. Julie Weeks - Fundraising Committee Chair

Hello all!
Couple of events going on this weekend that may be of interest-

Park Cleanup, Tree Maintenance Sunday morning
The new volunteer team will be working on the following tasks Monday morning starting at 9AM. If you are interested in helping, please join us! If you have a task that you think needs to be done and isn't on the list below, show up, find us, and we will help you to complete it!
Move new trash barrels to entrances.
Remove orange fencing from trees, reposition stakes, stake leaning trees straight.
Pick up small trash items throughout the park (plastic, cigarette butts, toy pieces), concentrating on bench area.
Pick up rocks throughout the park.
Pick up poop throughout the park.
We could use a couple of kid's wagons for the rock pickup. Remember that if 9AM is a bit early but you want to help, you can do items 3, 4 and 5 anytime.

Wayside Waifs Adoptathon
From Wayside Waifs-
>Wayside Waifs 2007 Adoptathon
>
>http://www.waysidewaifs.org/site/R?i=PZB9z_KcjMVW2OsL2v3b5A ..
>
>Search Adoptable Animals
>
> http://www.waysidewaifs.org/site/R?i=GHgWGwxxoSFe5cQQgYs0Zg ..
>
>Join us this weekend for our 1st annual Adopt-a-thon!
>
>Every adoption is half price! Help us place all 300 animals in good
>homes this weekend. Check out all of our animals on our website and
>come early for a good selection!
>
>Sponsored by 106.5FM The Wolf
>
>Forward this email to all your animal-loving friends to let them know
>about the 1st Annual Adopt-a-thon!
> http://www.waysidewaifs.org/site/R?i=BKAvLmN21bpOvLv4nWjung..

Dogpark Ordinance
The new dogpark ordinance continues to make the news

Hello everyone!
Our Dog Days fundraiser was a huge success! We sold out (150 tickets), making over $4000 dollars (more than all previous fundraisers combined!), which means we will be donating over $400 to Spay and Neuter Kansas City's Assistance program. Look for the money raised to fund some cool stuff at the new improved dogpark. We also provided some good publicity to SNKC, as well as a bit to WOOF and KCDA. Plus, it was a GREAT time- if you missed it, well... you missed it. Another good time will be had at our next fundraiser, at Pizza 51 in mid-late October- we will keep you updated!

KCMO Parks and Rec is having

Sent to list tonight-

Hello all,
Tomorrow night is 'A Dog's Life' at America Heartland Theater, reception 6:15-7:15, showtime 7:30. If you have bought tickets, we will have vouchers for you (if you don't already have one) tomorrow night. Snacks, a free drink, and a raffle for the theaters suite on a future night at the reception. We should be able to get additional tickets tomorrow night unless the show sells out- if you want to come but haven't bought, come buy them tomorrow night (update- NO TICKETS AVAILABLE ADJACENT TO OR IN OUR BLOCK- TICKETS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE, BUT NOT WITH THE GROUP). Big thanks to Polsinelli Law Firm for purchasing a sizable block of tickets- with their help, we sold over 60 overall and will come away with a respectable take for the bank account.

We have been invited to participate in the Pet Expo

sent the following to the list yesterday-

Our PIAC request was approved- $155,000 is reserved in this year's budget to expand the park and put in a new parking lot. Per Parks and Rec, the funding will be available in June, and after the bidding process it should be mid-late July or early August when work starts. The park planner will be meeting with us and the general park population later to discuss her preliminary park plans.

We need volunteers to

Two break-ins were witnessed Saturday, 3/11. Both were in the small parking area off of 29th St. (street that goes down to Broadway):

10:30AM- gold Nissan Altima/Maxima with tinted windows- Black male, 20's, clean shaven, short hair, medium build observed getting back into car- two vehicles with broken windows. Car drove up to Wyandotte and slowly drove along construction area.

Noon- dark gray, small, newer car, possibly Honda Accord or small Pontiac- Car was observed backing in beside car, paused there briefly, then pulled out and backed in beside another car. Trunk popped open on car parked next to (door was unlocked- actually my car, which I generally always lock). Black male was seen peeking around end of car to look in trunk. Vehicle quickly backed out of spot and drove down to Broadway.

KCMO PD was called on both occasions- two patrol cars were sent.

Some things we can all do to help:
Don't bring valuables to the park, or if you do, bring them into the park with you!

Hey everyone,
The TIF amendment that has a line item for funding a parking lot for the dogpark got out of the Planning and Zoning Commission's meeting with a recommendation to approve, and was passed by the City Council Thursday. See the article below for details. Although it doesn't mention our item, we are included on the list. With $13 million to work with, plus the fact that we submitted a letter in support to help the effort (letter is posted in the articles section), and had five people show up at the meeting to show support, we should be in good shape.

Sent this to the list tonight-

Hey everyone,
The annual meeting is tomorrow, January 29th, 6:30 PM at the Muelbach Suite (third floor in the new addition) at Boulevard Brewery, 2501 Southwest Boulevard. There will be signs in the new building directing you where to go. Click here for a link to directions to the brewery. We will review what DIG has accomplished in it's first year, our plans for next year, and take your input on any matter- what you want the group to do, improve, fundraising ideas- anything. We hope to see you there!

Unfortunately there was a very serious attack at the park