Saturday, April 13, 9 am: S Street Dog Park Clean Up. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Come out this Saturday morning, April 13, at 9 am and help with a spring clean up of the S Street Dog Park. It will involve some leaf removal, trash pick up, weeding around the fences and some general maintenance.
The park is located in the triangle area bounded by S, 17th and New Hampshire NW.
There will be tools available but if you can bring your gloves or a rake or an outdoor broom that might be helpful. Work shouldn’t take more than an hour if there is a good turn out, according to organizers.
After the dog park clean up is finished, you are also invited to join the Dupont Circle Citizens Association in sprucing up the neighboring T Street “People Park” at 17th and T Streets.
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Repairs and renovations to the 17th and S Street NW dog park are done . (Luis Gomez Photos).
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
Rover: get ready to rock and roll with your four-legged buddies! This summer’s repairs and renovations to one of Borderstan’s favorite dog parks are now complete — and boy, does the park look good!
Repairs to the 17th and S Streets NW dog park took place during the month of July. The scheduled work included fixing tears and holes in the K9Grass surface, power-washing and vacuuming the turf, cleaning the turf with odor-killing enzymes and anti-microbial sprays, removing dead trees and stumps, planting new trees in the park and covering the tree and bench area with wood chips.
The 17th and S dog park is managed by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation and is frequently cleaned by neighborhood volunteers. For more information on the park, call or email the DC Department of Parks and Recreation at (202) 671-0421 or [email protected].
The S Street dog park will undergo repairs and renovations. (Luis Gomez Photos).
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com
The popular neighborhood 17th and S Dog Park, renovations are scheduled to begin this month. Known and adored for its K9Grass surface, the canine playground will undergo necessary turf repairs, turf cleaning and landscaping. The work is scheduled to start on Monday, July 9, and is expected to take three-to-four weeks.
Some of the scheduled work includes: fixing tears and holes in the turf, power-washing and vacuuming the turf, cleaning the turf with odor-killing enzymes and anti-microbial sprays, removing dead trees and stumps, planting new trees in the park and covering the tree and bench area with wood chips.
As of now, it is uncertain if the dog park will be closed across the duration of its repairs, or if parts of it will remain open throughout the work.
For more information, call or email the DC Department of Parks and Recreation at (202) 671-0421 or [email protected].
Saturday May 5: Help with the spring cleanup at the 17th Street Dog Park. (Luis Gomez Photos)
On Saturday morning, May 5, if you are a dog park user — or simply a neighbor — you are welcome to join the spring cleanup of the 17th Street Dog Park (at S Street and New Hampshire Avenue NW). Volunteers are asked to be at the park at 9 am to clean and even out some areas of the park, according to organizers. Please, bring a shovel or garden implements if you have them.
The park opened September 3, 2009.
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Saturday, Oct. 2: Blessing of the Animals at 17th Street Dog Park, 8 to 9:30 am. The mini-walk benefits Charlie’s Place for the homeless. (Greater Dupont Homeless Project)
What: Blessing of the animals, conducted by Rev Emily Guthrie of St Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
When: This Saturday morning, October 2nd, from 8 to 9:30 am.
Where: 17th Street Dog Park at 17th and S Streets NW (outside fence by tables and benches). Dogs and people of all faiths are invited to take part in the traditional blessing of the animals. Dogs will receive medals of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals (Feast Day is this weekend). Pets will also receive treats, including doggie ice cream or baked goods. Blessing ceremonies will be brief with one every 20 minutes. Coffee and pastries for the humans.
Why: In addition to the blessing of our pets, this event will feature a mini-walk around the Dog Park to help raise funds for Charlie’s Place, the homeless outreach program at St Margaret’s Church (1830 Connecticut Avenue NW). Charlie’s Place offers hot meals and counseling, and has placed dozens of homeless people in housing and jobs, getting them off of the streets. This event will be in conjunction with the Fannie Mae March for the Homeless.
About the Mini-Walk: After each blessing ceremony, participants will be invited to take a walk around the block and make a donation to Charlie’s Place. This will qualify this as a “mini-walk” according to the Fannie Mae Foundation, and make the group eligible for matching funds. (Give what you wish, but for $25 you get a T-shirt). Last year, Charlie’s Place raised more than 40% of its total budget ($58,000 out of $120,000+) from a mini-walk and the November March for the Homeless. Credit cards, checks and cash accepted.
One but Not the Other? You may do the blessing without the walk or the walk without the blessing.
Looking south at 17th and New Hampshire NW: Saturday at the dog park. (Borderstan)
The official community group for the 17th Street Dog Park is Circle Dogs. Find them on Facebook or check out their Web page:
Circle Dogs is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization partnered with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to provide custodial care of the dog park at S Street Park. Circle Dogs’ mission, focused on dog parks in the Dupont and Logan Circle neighborhoods, is to provide a safe, clean, and accessible environment for people and dogs to exercise and socialize together at designated dog parks.
Neighbor Julie–who often attends dog park meetings–made it to Sunday’s “emergency” meeting regarding Dupont Circle’s 17th Street dog park. Here is her report.
Attendees included Mike Silverstein, ANC 2B/Dupont Chair, Bob Meehan, ANC commissioner, board members from Circle Dogs DC, Shaw Dogs Co-Chair Andrea Doughty, Sgt. John McDonald of PSA 208, and many community members and dog owners. The meeting was, in content, essentially a repeat of the meeting early in October. No new issues were raised, there was a review of the three main issues and discussion about proposed solutions: (more…)
While the debate over rules and regulations–and how to enforce them–takes place for the 17th Street dog park, a reader went online and found examples from other locales. Thanks to reader Avi for these:
And I will add Fairfax County and Arlington County,Virginia. Their rules are posted at these links.
I have to believe that DC Parks and Recreation, Circle Dogs DC (Facebook Page) and ANC 2B have spent some time studying what other cities and counties have done in terms of dog park rules and regulations.
Also, Shaw Dogs is holding its monthly meeting next Wednesday the 21st at 7 p.m. at Hotel Helix. Shaw Dogs is the group that takes care of the dog park on 11th Street NW (south of R Street). They have a listserv and information on Yahoo! Groups.
Note: Neighbor Julie from Borderstan attended last night’s meeting on the 17th Street dog park at the DC Jewish Community Center. Following is Julie’s report.
Overview
First and foremost, NOTHING WAS RESOLVED regarding issues on the 17th Street dog park. No changes (from the government point of view) are likely to flow from this meeting. Commissioner Meehan, however, seemed eager to get some sort of resolution passed at tonight’s ANC meeting. I don’t believe there was enough of a consensus to make that possible.
Attendees numbered about 35. Emotions were running fairly high. While discussion could be heated, it remained civil. Many issues were brought up for discussion–though due to time limitations and the many points of view–the discussion focused primarily on operating hours of the park and the number of dogs allowed in the park at any one time. It was suggested that a follow-up meeting take place in 1 to 2 months to further discuss the issues and their suggested resolutions. (more…)
Example of a fluffy dog: I have always thought of Chow Chows as unpredictable when it comes to biting and nipping. Good luck checking a male Chow Chow’s genitalia. (Photo: Wikipedia.com)
Before reading, you might want to read the posting directly below, “TUESDAY: 17th Street Dog Park Community Meeting.” From the posting: The Dupont Current ran a front page story in last week’s paper, “Park success may lead to bone of contention.” ANC 2B/Dupont Commissioner Bob Meehan is quoted in the Current story and told the paper that the believes the meeting will focus on hours of operation, the number of dogs in the park at any one time and whether un-neutered male dogs should be permitted on the premises.
Prohibition of un-neutered males in the dog park? I see. Okay…
No disrespect to Commissioner Meehan is intended here; he was one of the ANC 2B/Dupont commissioners who worked very hard to make this dog park reality. And, as a dog owner, I know how contentious these issues can be. I am sure Meehan was just saying what some dog park regulars have suggested.
However, if it is decided that male dogs who are un-neutered are going to be banned from the 17th Street dog park, I have some questions: (more…)
The 17th Street dog park opened September 3 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew numerous city and local political and community poobahs. (Photo: Luis Gomez Photos)
DC Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday about the operations of the new dog park at 17th-S-New Hampshire NW. Location is the DC Jewish Community Center at 16th and Q NW at 7 p.m. Here is a notice from the Facebook page of Circle Dogs DC:
Circle Dogs DC will be at a community meeting at 7pm on 13 Oct at the JCC (16th and Q). It will be a forum to discuss any dog park related issues, including rules, hours, comments, compliments, etc. Please plan to attend if you can! If you cannot and want something brought up, please email your question or comment to the gmail account and we will bring them to DPR’s attention.
I know from personal experience as a dog owner in the hood that there are issues about the dog park. The two I am aware of are the number of dogs in the park (a sign at the entrance says a maximum of 12 dogs in the park at one time) as well as parents allowing small children to play in the park (my own personal hot button). Since dogs are a serious issue in Borderstan, this ought to be an interesting meeting. (more…)
Lupe at the ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday for the new dog park on 17th Street NW. Behind Lupe from left: Councilmember Jack Evans, Mayor Adrian Fenty and ANC 2B Chairman Mike Silverstein. (Photo: Luis Gomez Photos.)
Ug. Summer is sort of over, but autumn doesn’t officially begin until September 23. In the meantime, here’s a cute-dog-pic for you: Lupe at the opening of the 17th Street dog park last Thursday with political poobahs.
From left: Jack Evans, Adrian Fenty, Mike Silverstein (chair, ANC 2B-Dupont) and Ximena Hartsock at the inauguration of the dog park today. (Photo: Luis Gomez)
Dogs and owners enjoy the special artificial turf for dogs. (Photo: Luis Gomez)
There was a dog fight shortly after the ribbon cutting today. (Photo: Luis Gomez)
The weather was great for the political poobahs who turned out on a sunny afternoon for the opening of the dog park at 17th-S-New Hampshire NW.
DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, Council Member Jack Evans (Ward 2) and Dr. Ximena Hartsock (Acting Director, Parks & Recreation) cut the ribbon to the converted dog park on 17th Street.
Many dogs and their owners also turned out for the dog park, which was plagued by long delays and an opening date several months after the original deadline.
Unfortunately, there was a dog fight right after the ribbon cutting. It appeared that a big dog got hold of a Chihuahua, but I don’t know if the smaller dog was hurt. One thing missing from this park is the separate area for smaller dogs that is part of the Shaw Dog Park on 11th Street NW.
One thing I hope we don’t see more of at the new dog park: a small child was running around in the middle of the dogs. Small children should never be inside an enclosed area with dogs. What if that dog had gone after the small child instead of the small dog? Note to parents: Please read Child Safety: On Dogs, Dog Parks and Small Children.
The dog park at 17th-S-New Hampshire NW opens Thursday at 4 p.m. The special artificial turf for dogs was put down earlier this summer. (Photo: Luis Gomez.)
DC Striving says “yes” in Could it be true? Should our dogs rejoice?
Here is the last posting on the park: “K9Grass” is the Bright Green Stuff at the New Dog Park .
