Texas Dog Park Meet

[aly]

I *think* most people are preferring Austin so I'll just make this poll for dates since I think we've decided on the place. I'll post some specifics about different parks in Austin later today.

I'm going to include the weekend of Oct 25-26 in the poll, but I can't make it that weekend because I'll be at the New Mexico meeting.

Other than that, I'm pretty open and could make any weekend since I don't have to travel.

You can select multiple choices if more than one works for you.

[micki76]

Originally posted by aly
I'm going to include the weekend of Oct 25-26 in the poll, but I can't make it that weekend because I'll be at the New Mexico meeting.

Uh, then why would anyone choose that weekend?!?! :eek:

[aly]

Originally posted by micki76
Uh, then why would anyone choose that weekend?!?! :eek:

Well, if everyone chooses that weekend, I can take a hint! HAHAHA!

[Kfamr]

If I was them i'd vote for that weekend! KIDDING! :D :p

[aly]

Originally posted by Kfamr
If I was them i'd vote for that weekend! KIDDING! :D :p

No Piper for YOU!!!!!!!!!!

[aly]

I'm going to summarize some of the parks in Austin that I'm reading about in my book, The Texas Dog Lover's Companion - The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog. Later on, I'll come back and post on some that are in the surrounding areas around Austin. The rating system uses paws .. 4 is the best.

Auditorium Shores 3 and a half paws

- 10 acres .. dogs can run free as long as they are under sight and voice control
- wide open spaces, shade trees, restrooms and water fountain, gazebo with stream running near it, right by Town Lake, shower (installed for joggers, but dogs like to play in the water)
- flock of ducks live under a nearby bridge (so for duck chasers, this might not be the best place .. but if we do go here, i'm sure we can keep safe distance from the bridge)
- open 6am - 10pm

Bull Creek District Park 3 and a half paws
http://www.briangreenstone.com/austin/bullcreek/ AWWWW, they have doggy pics!!

- lots of trees
- creek for dogs to swim in (mostly shallow with a few deep areas)
- 48 acres (only a small part designated as leash free)
- restrooms, picnic tables
- open 10am - 5pm

Emma Long Metropolitan Park 3 and a half paws
http://www.austinlakeproperty.com/Emma%20Long%20Park.htm

- 1147 acres (only 70 acres are developed)
- dogs must remain leashed in most of the park, but there is a leash free area
- along the shores of Lake Austin
- dogs may go in water on leash and as long as they are outside of the designated swimming area
- snack bar and restrooms
- there is an entrance fee ($5 per vehicle on weekends)
- can hike up a bluff to see beautiful views of the city
- open 7am - 10pm

McKinney Falls State Park 3 and a half paws
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/mckinney/mckinney.htm

(I've been to this one once. I really liked it, but there are no offleash areas)

- 3 mile paved walking trail
- 3/4 mile natural walking path
- dogs not allowed in water
- 3 mile mountain bike trail
- restrooms
- $2 per person entry fee
- open 8am - 10pm

There are a lot of other parks listed in the book, but I weeded out the ones that probably wouldn't work for us.

Here is a list of restaurants that allow dogs to visit!

Amy's Ice Cream
Backyard Burgers
Boar's Head Bar and Grill
Dirty Martin's Place "No killer dogs, please"
The Green Mesquite
Little City Espresso Bar and Cafe
Magnolia Cafe
Mesa Hills Cafe
Mojo's Daily Grind
Nick's Great Pizza
Pizza Nizza
Romeo's
Ruta Maya Coffee House
Schlotsky'sSfuzzi
Smoky J's
Spaghetti Warehouse
Sweetish Hill
Texas Picnic Company and Bakery
Thundercloud Subs
Upper Crust Bakery
Waterloo Brewing Company
Waterloo Ice House
Wheatsville Co-op
Wylie's Bar and Grill

*All these places have outdoor seating where the dogs are allowed.

We also have a Groovy Dog bakery where dogs can go and get gourmet doggie treats! http://www.groovydogbakery.com/

This lists Austin's leash free areas and has maps to them. Some of the places I mentioned are on the list in case you wanted to see their locations: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/dogparks.htm

Another place dogs are allowed is under the Congress bridge where people go to watch the bats fly out every evening. I think by the time we meet though, the bats will not be there anymore. They stop flying out sometime around October.
http://www.batcon.org/discover/congress.html

[aly]

Oh yeah, another option is Pease Park, which is the one I usually go to. Its nothing special and I think the other places may be better for us. I can post a description if anyone wants to try this one.

If anyone has swimming dogs, we may be better off meeting before November. My dogs won't touch the water. Well, Lolly MIGHT.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by aly
No Piper for YOU!!!!!!!!!!

But Aly -- I promise to have new pictures EVERY day! :p :p

[micki76]

Wondering what weekend everyone has voted for and why? I prefer any weekend other than Nov 8-9. I have a prior commitment that can't be changed.

Would it be easier to set up a chat time for all interested parties to discuss dates and such? I'd hate for someone to miss out, when it could easily be moved up or back a week.

Aly, those parks look great. So, (I know nothing about dog parks) could I have Chester there on a leash? Would he be attacked by other dogs? I don't feel comfortable allowing him off leash in an open area. He's a terrier, ya know. I really want to bring him, though. He and I have only spent 5 days away from each other in 5 years and those were when I had surgery. :) I can't sleep without him next to me!! Really!

I also need to know what areas to avoid when making a hotel reservation. I believe the area around the Highland Mall is a bit, uh, not so nice. :) Other than that I have no idea. I could stay with my cousin, but there are too many people in their small house already, plus I'd like to be relatively close to wherever we end up meeting so I don't get too lost!

[PJ's Mom]

I voted for the first weekend in November. No reason, really. ;)

[aly]

Hey micki,

You could stay with me if you wanted, but Chester might hate how many animals I have (5 dogs and 4 cats right now :eek: ) And I think Tonya and Piper might be here too if she can make it. I have an upstairs and downstairs, but no good way to block off rooms.

If you want to stay somewhere south, you'd be close to where I live and we could carpool or you could follow me in your car. Just don't get a hotel on I35. Somewhere off south Mopac would be good. My book has a list of pet friendly hotels also, but those are listed online as well. If you don't want to stay somewhere south, let me know and I can recommend some good areas up north.

This hotel is pretty close to where I live and allows dogs. Check it out:

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/us/FOLDERtx/usonlinetx8993000la.shtml

They don't even make you pay a pet fee or deposit :)

[aly]

I put in a vote for every weekend except those 3 mid-October weekends.

If you guys are here the Saturday after Halloween, you'll have to come to my shelter! We're organizing a paw-ty for dogs to come trick or treating, play games, and get their pictures taken!

[micki76]

Originally posted by aly
Hey micki,

You could stay with me if you wanted, but Chester might hate how many animals I have (5 dogs and 4 cats right now :eek: ) And I think Tonya and Piper might be here too if she can make it. I have an upstairs and downstairs, but no good way to block off rooms.

:eek: I'd fear for us all! Especially Piper!

That LaQuinta is booked for the Halloween weekend. But another weekend they may have rooms.

What about these 2 LaQuinta Inn & Suites(prefer LaQuinta, they have fridges & micros as well as interior hallways):
7625 E Ben White 78741 OR:
11901 N Mopac 78759 ( I used to know this area some)

What do you know about the Econo Lodge on US 290? Anything?

Or the Quality Inn on 290?

[zippy-kat]

I voted Nov 15 or later.
I probably wouldn't be able to do it earlier due to work (assuming I find something--hey aly, is your shelter still hiring? lol), school, and the up-coming Oct trip.

[aly]

If we end up doing one the November 1st weekend, we could always do another one on a weekend that you can make it, Tonya!

And yes, my shelter is almost always hiring because there's a pretty high turnover rate!

[ParNone]

I think I voted for the 1st and 3rd week in Nov, but any of
the Nov dates work for me.

All the parks look gorgeous. I'm somewhat partial to creeks
over lakes, visually though, so Bull Creek and McKinney Falls
looked really good to me. Oz doesn't swim, but he does like
to wade in to fetch things from the water and to take drinks.

Oz and I are fine with on leash spots, if that works out better
for Micki, so she can bring Chester. Oz is pretty use to being
bossed around by fiesty terriers, so Chester'll make him feel
like he never left home. :) How's Chester feel about being
nose poked in the butt?;)

Par...

[aly]

Micki - I wouldn't go to the one on East Ben White .. usually areas in the east part of town are not too safe :eek:

I'd probably go for the North Mopac one over the 290 ones. The south one is in the best/safest location. The North one is sort of close to an unsafe part of town, but I don't remember the immediate vicinity. I'll drive up there tomorrow and look (it is pretty close to my shelter).

[micki76]

Originally posted by ParNone
I think I voted for the 1st and 3rd week in Nov, but any of
the Nov dates work for me.

All the parks look gorgeous. I'm somewhat partial to creeks
over lakes, visually though, so Bull Creek and McKinney Falls
looked really good to me. Oz doesn't swim, but he does like
to wade in to fetch things from the water and to take drinks.

Oz and I are fine with on leash spots, if that works out better
for Micki, so she can bring Chester. Oz is pretty use to being
bossed around by fiesty terriers, so Chester'll make him feel
like he never left home. :) How's Chester feel about being
nose poked in the butt?;)

Par...

He's ok with nose pokes, but any humping will not be tolerated - Mr. Reece!:p



Originally posted by aly
Micki - I wouldn't go to the one on East Ben White .. usually areas in the east part of town are not too safe

I'd probably go for the North Mopac one over the 290 ones. The south one is in the best/safest location. The North one is sort of close to an unsafe part of town, but I don't remember the immediate vicinity. I'll drive up there tomorrow and look (it is pretty close to my shelter).

Thank you! I'm intersted in the LaQuintas for the fridge and micro, but I want to be safe, too! Of course, Chester will protect me! He's my little KILLER!! :eek:

Please don't drive all the way up there, I'll be fine. I'm pretty dangerous myself!!! :eek: Also, my cousin is a big firefighter and is just a call away. :)

[aly]

Its no problem micki :) I'll take the dogs for a ride :D

We should have a backup plan in case it rains. Hmmm .. party in micki's room!

[micki76]

I know, I thought about getting one of the 2 room suites. Seriously, I'm thinking about actually getting one. I don't know if the LaQuinta has those, but I'll check into it! Hey, pets are allowed, and I didn't see anything about not allowing pet parties! :D :D :D