We had a chance recently to sit down with our friends at See Spot Run to talk about the organization, its goals and what we can all do to continue to make our dog park a fantastic place for furry friends and humans alike.
See Spot Run is volunteer-led operation that is also a 501-(C)(3) non-profit organization. The property where the Dog Park is located is leased to the group by the City down at Veterans Memorial Park. Prior to the creation of this park, there was no special area set aside solely for dogs. The park has been in operation for more than ten years.
The current monthly cost to operate the park is $1200 “which includes park insurance, liability insurance, water, park supplies (trash bags, pet waste bags, garbage cans, hoses, rakes and water bowls), park maintenance, storage, administrative expenses (emergency phone, accounting software website and hosting, computers), trash removal, Chamber of Commerce dues and City business license,” according to current board president Sandra Fraser.
Many people have wondered why there is no grass at the dog park. Well, it isn’t for lack of wanting grass. That would be a nice feature, especially during the hotter summer months. However, the initial installation of the park included a very firm base layer, to prevent dust from blowing. Installing grass would require that base layer be remediated to allow for expansion of the irrigation system as well. It’s not just a matter of putting down sod and hoping it takes. The monthly cost to maintain the park would more than triple, which means more consistent funding would be required.
There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to help with the Dog Park. Nearly every month, there is a park cleanup day. These are the second Saturday of the month, from 7:00AM to 11:00AM (no cleanups in July or August). The cleanups involve picking up trash, pulling weeds, stocking dog waste bags, checking for holes in the fencing, checking the walking path for potential tripping hazards, filling in holes, checking the irrigation for the numerous trees on the property and checking for irrigation leaks. All of this work is completed by volunteers monthly, in addition to the daily work much of the board members and volunteers put in.
For those wishing to assist See Spot Run in achieving some of their future goals, you can participate by joining the board or assisting them in their efforts. Fundraising is a big part of the board’s activities and it includes selling sponsorship signs (like the one accompanying this article), manning booths at Spring Jamboree, the City’s annual Pooch Parade, an annual Bingo and Raffle Night with Silent Auction, calendar sales and bake sales, among other duties.
Residents can support the Dog Park by following the posted rules and practicing proper pet etiquette, picking up after their pets, leaving donations for using the park and also contribute in other ways. You can buy engraved pavers to put down at the park, donate via Facebook or the via PayPal on their website or use AmazonSmile and designate See Spot Run as your selected charity.
We love our Dog Park and the volunteers of See Spot Run!!
