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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HAMDEN RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS’ GROUP (HAMDEN R-DOG), A COMMITTEE OF HAMDEN COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND, INC., FOR THE YEAR 2002 R-DOG Organization
Mission Statement • to gather support for the creation of public dog parks in our town • to work with the town in the planning, creation, and maintenance of these parks • to provide support for, and promote the upgrading of, Hamden’s animal shelter facilities. Through these activities, we plan to continue to add to the amenities available to current and future residents of Hamden. Growth and Activity Regular monthly meetings were held on the first Tuesday of each month throughout the year at Larson Place (formerly Bridges at Lake Whitney). The website was moved to a new server and a new domain. It is now at www.hamdenrdog.org. During 2002, the focus of the group continued to be on the dog park project. The animal shelter part of our mission was put on the back burner after a group of members met with Chief Robert Nolan of the Police Department, who told us it would be some time before plans were drawn up for the new police headquarters. He and Mayor Carl Amento have indicated that an animal shelter will definitely be included in those plans; however, it may be another two years before further activity on our part is indicated. Parent Organization The Department of Parks and Recreation and R-DOG members collaborated in the construction of the dog park on a wooded site on Bassett Park land between Waite Street and the New Haven Country Club. An existing unpaved parking lot is adjacent to the site, which is several hundred yards from the nearest residential area and from the playground, and across the street from the lower baseball fields. The site is just over one acre. Design and Cost Construction In June the fence was installed by an outside contractor. In July the brick patio, entrance, and walkway were laid by Parks and Recreation personnel. In August a large sign was installed close to Waite Street announcing the Hamden Dog Park at Bassett. In September the Dogipot dispenser stands, picnic tables, benches, and a covered bulletin board were installed by Parks and Recreation staff. Three flowering trees were planted. Landscaping was not fully completed in 2002, but is expected to be done in spring 2003. Park Rules Park Opening ParkUse Town Capital Budget After many delays, the Legislative Council of the Town of Hamden approved the funding in full in February, 2002. R-DOG Fundraising 2002 was a very satisfactory year for the organization. Hamden Community Playground Officers VS 3/09/03 2001 ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE HAMDEN RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS' GROUP (R-DOG)
Mission Statement (January 2001) The mission of R-DOG is to promote responsible dog ownership of the more than 7000 dogs estimated to be living in Hamden. Our immediate goals are: • to gather support for the creation of public dog parks in our town Through these activities, we hope to add to the amenities available to current and future residents of Hamden. Growth and Activity During the year, the membership grew from 91 to 237 people. Regular monthly meetings were held throughout the year at Bridges at Lake Whitney, 1450 Whitney Avenue, Hamden (except for two months when, instead, members attended several town meetings to show support for the project). A web site was launched in August (http://home.cshore.com/hamdenrdog), as well as an e-mail newsletter list. E-mail news now reaches around 100 individuals. Printed information was provided to the various Hamden departments and commissions, the Legislative Council, and also to local newspapers as required. During 2001, the focus of the group was on the dog park project. However, a considerable amount of background research was also done on animal shelters, both Hamden’s and those of other local towns. Merger Early in the year, R-DOG entered into negotiations with Hamden Community Playground, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a view to merging. Both organizations have as their goal the creation and support of amenities in Hamden’s parks. An accountant and a lawyer were consulted, and the formal inclusion of R-DOG as a committee of HCP, Inc., was completed. All donations for the dog park are made to Hamden Community Playground, Inc., and are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Selection The Department of Parks and Recreation and R-DOG members collaborated in the selection of a wooded site on Bassett Park land between Waite Street and the New Haven Country Club. An existing unpaved parking lot is adjacent to the site, which is several hundred yards from the nearest residential area and from the playground, and across the street from the lower baseball fields. The site is just over one acre. Design and Projected Cost The Departments of Engineering and Parks and Recreation, together with R-DOG members, worked out a plan for the site, incorporating 5’ vinyl-clad chain-link fencing, double gates, utility gates, a small-dog area, a wheelchair-accessible trail, benches, plastic bag dispensers, and trash cans. A brick patio at the entrance will help to keep the footing from becoming muddy in wet weather. The site will remain wooded. The Engineering Department budget for the project comes to around $30,000, although town and volunteer labor will reduce this amount somewhat. Construction The perimeter of the site has been marked by town personnel, as have unhealthy trees that will be removed. Volunteer members of R-DOG spent several Saturday mornings in the late summer and early fall clearing undergrowth. Town workers sprayed an area of poison ivy close to Waite Street. Departments A petition signed by 652 individuals (640 Hamden residents) was submitted to the Mayor and the Legislative Council in early April by R-DOG, along with a packet of information about dog parks in other towns and states. In the spring, the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Parks and Recreation approved the concept of a dog park as well as the selected site. The Planning and Zoning and Traffic Departments approved the site in July, completing the approval process. Commissions In April the Natural Resources and Open Space Commission approved the concept of using town-owned land for dog parks. In May the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the use of the Bassett Park site for a dog park. The Director of Parks and Recreation designated the site for dogs, as specified in Sect. 95.11 of the town code. In July the Inland Wetlands Commission approved the use of the Bassett Park site for a dog park. Outside approvals The Regional Water Authority sent a letter to the Inland Wetlands Commission approving the plan. The Quinnipiack Valley Health District sent a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission approving the plan. Town Capital Budget The Mayor’s recommended capital budget for 2001-2002 (prepared in February 2001) included a Parks and Recreation Pet Park line item of $20,000, to be funded by state Local Capital Improvement Project (LoCIP) funds. The recommended budget was approved in general by the Council in April. In August, the Mayor sent a request to the Legislative Council to approve the money for this line item. In September, the Parks and Recreation Committee of the Council voted to table the item pending information from the Town Attorney on liability. In October, the Committee voted to forward the item to the full Council. The Council tabled the item again, pending more information from the Town Attorney. The item has not yet been taken from the table for further discussion due to the election process and Council reorganization at the end of the year. R-DOG fundraising R-DOG undertook to raise $10,000 towards the cost of the project. At the start of the year, $700 had been raised. At the end of the year, the total reached around $8,000. In August a letter of appeal was sent to some of the dog owners in town as well as to the members of R-DOG. In early September, a similar letter was sent to around 200 business owners in town. Both groups were asked for donations, and also given the opportunity to sponsor an inscribed brick to be placed in the brick patio entrance to the park ($40 for a regular brick; $100 for a double-size brick). To date, 53 bricks have been sponsored. On September 30, a walkathon at Brooksvale Park and the Farmington Canal Trail (R-DOG’s Walk in the Park) brought out almost 200 people and very many dogs. As well as the walk, participants of all ages enjoyed games, contests, and a demonstration by one of Hamden’s police K-9 teams. On November 17, Holiday Pet Photos was held for the second year at the Veterans’ Memorial Building at Brooksvale Park. Both the Walk and the Pet Photos events were co-sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation. On December 15 and 16, R-DOG members had a booth in the Hamden Plaza Petco to provide information and solicit donations and brick sponsorships from customers. All of the above fundraisers were productive and fundraising will continue. R-DOG Chairs Hamden Community Playground Officers VS 1/08/02 |