Lansing, MI ~ Dog Park Grand Opening ~ June

[ramanth]

Mayor Virg Bernero,
The LANSING CITY COUNCIL
and
the Ingham County
Board of Commissioners

Invite you to celebrate
the Grand Opening of the
Howard & Erna Soldan
Dog Park

With a
“Leash” Cutting

Monday, September 17th, 2007

Beginning at 11:30am

The dog park is located in Scott Woods and access is gained by parking at the rear (north end) of the Hawk Island Parking Lot

1601 E. Cavanaugh in Lansing

(follow the dog park parking signs)

Refreshments will be provided

The Leash Cutting will be held rain or shine



I am active with the board of directors of the non profit group 'Friends of Greater Lansing Dog Parks' and I would love to share this event with my Pet Talk friends.

There is no membership fee to use the park. Just a parking fee of $2 for Ingham county residents and $4 for out of county/state residents.

For updates on the status of the park, please visit: http://www.lansingdogparks.com/

The Howard and Erna Soldan Dog Park will be nestled on 17 acres of land within Scott Woods, which is north of Hawk Island County Park.

Here is a model of what the park will look like:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lansing_dog_park/howard%20and%20erna%20soldan%20dog%20park/siteplan.jpg


I'll keep this thread updated with info about the date and events planned.

Right now this thread is to see if there is any interest in attending the Grand Opening. :D

[Cinder & Smoke]

The actual date is TBA, but we plan to have our local Dog Park opened in June
with a Grand Opening ceremony to kick it all off.

Right now this thread is to see if there is any interest in attending the Grand Opening. :D


:eek:
4.5 Hours in the Bus between Home & Lansing, MI. (And 275 Miles ONE way!)
Will there be Blankies & Pillows provided for da Bus Drivers?

Serious Question:
Will there be enough Parking to handle the expected multitudes?
How many miles is it to the nearest alternate parking lot?

Seventeen Acres - how many dogs can you loose in 17 acres?
Keep us posted on Progress and Facilities ...
Is the Lake already there and full of water - or is it "proposed", too?

When's Kia Birfday? Maybe we can make this a Two-Fur-One Trip.

[cyber-sibes]

oh Kimmy, that looks absolutely wonderful! What a beautiful place! Although I do wonder about that 17 acre part - how will one ever catch a husky?? :rolleyes:
Depending on when the opening is, if we're still in Ohio then, I'd love to come. Are you planning to come to Findlay for Memorial Day? I really hope so.

[ramanth]

Will there be enough Parking to handle the expected multitudes? How many miles is it to the nearest alternate parking lot?

Parking is done in Hawk Island Park.

Check out this map:
http://www.ingham.org/PK/Maps/HI%20Color%20Facilities%20Update.pdf

The Dog Park will be located north of the sledding hill (upper right corner of the document). For the Dog Park you will want to park as close to the sledding hill as possible. But as you can see, there is lots of parking available. There will be permanent signage in place to direct traffic.

Hawk Island has a 'no dogs allowed' policy, so dogs must be walked from the parking lot straight to the dog park. No lingering in Hawk Island allowed.


Seventeen Acres - how many dogs can you loose in 17 acres?
Well, the Lake Orion Bark Park is larger than 17 acres and we didn't seem to do too bad. ;) :D


Is the Lake already there and full of water - or is it "proposed", too?
Lake is already there. It's more of a pond that's fed by run off from a near by stream. Right now we've been raising the money for the perimeter fencing. Improvements will include fencing in the water area with a seperate gate to a beach/water access. Snow fencing will likely be put up in the meantime.


When's Kia Birfday? Maybe we can make this a Two-Fur-One Trip.
June 29th, but we have no problems with celebrating early.



Depending on when the opening is, if we're still in Ohio then, I'd love to come. Are you planning to come to Findlay for Memorial Day? I really hope so.
I didn't know you were moving Pat! And yes, we are planning to come down Memorial Day. :D We have to introduce Chipper to the gang! :D

[cyber-sibes]

I didn't know you were moving Pat! And yes, we are planning to come down Memorial Day. :D We have to introduce Chipper to the gang! :D Yup, JoJoe's been in RI since the end of Oct. Looks like he plans to stay, so I guess I'll go too. Wouldn't want him to forget me, LOL! We're planning to move in mid June . I told him I want to be here for the PT pic nic. ;) I'm looking forward to meeting Mr. Chipper & seeing the PT gang one more time!

[animal_rescue]

Ohhh if I could drive I would go!

[Cinder & Smoke]

We're planning to move in mid June .

... & seeing the PT gang one more time!

:eek:

Whadda-ya-mean "One More Time???" :(

You planing to tear up your driver's license when you get to RI? :p
You made it out east to see "him" ...
What's the problemo heading back west to see US?

:D

[k9krazee]

:D Count me in!!!

Kimmy, are you going to the March 10th playdate? I was debating whether I wanted to or not.

[ramanth]

Kimmy, are you going to the March 10th playdate? I was debating whether I wanted to or not.
I think that can be arranged. :D

[cyber-sibes]

:eek:Whadda-ya-mean "One More Time???" :(:DOf course I'll be back to Ohio to see my skin-kids, but I'm not sure about bringing Star & Sherman, I'll just have to wait & see how it goes. Maybe sometime my SIL & her boxers would tolerate all of us as houseguests, but there's been some friction between her Petunia & my Star. Sure won't be like having the dogpark a mere 5 miles away!

[k9krazee]

I think that can be arranged. :D

I'll PM you!

[Cincy'sMom]

Of course we'll have to see what the date is, but we'd be interested!!

[Fett]

I'll be there! ;)

I'm curious how Chipper will be at a dog park like Findlay. He's only been to the Lake Orion one once for a half hour and got completely beaten up by some dog within the first 10 minutes we were there. :(

[cyber-sibes]

There's always plenty of "monitors" at the Findlay gathering, we can keep a close eye on him. Did his little incident make him fearful around other dogs?

[ramanth]

There's always plenty of "monitors" at the Findlay gathering, we can keep a close eye on him. Did his little incident make him fearful around other dogs?
Nope. He loves to play and attends Doggy Day Care where they say he plays great with all the other dogs. :)

The dog at the park was aggressive. He went after two other dogs that were minding their own buisness after he grabbed Chipper and shook him.

[Dorothy39]

Geesh Kim, ~~~ :eek: ~~~~ Where in the heck have I been, I didn't know about this Dog Park until now!! I It seems that I hear a lot of News on Pet Talk.

You say this is an "off leash" park? :D 17 acres? :eek:

Maybe I'd better show up with a Chihuahua :D because my Jackie Louise has never been off leash in our yard.

[ramanth]

You say this is an "off leash" park? :D 17 acres? :eek:
Completely off leash! :D

I'd love to meet you and your little Chi. :D

[k9krazee]

Maybe I'd better show up with a Chihuahua :D because my Jackie Louise has never been off leash in our yard.

Awwww...but but...I wanna meet Jackie Lou!! :p

[crow_noir]

So when is this play date at this park? Date and time?

Koli is going to be down that way for a week starting tomorrow. I think we are picking her up on the 10th.

I don't know about stopping by for it though. If i still had King I'd bring him in a heartbeat!!! Koli however... She's a rather bossy alpha type and if she doesn't get her way she likes to resort to using teeth. I'd feel as that it was reflecting on me as a person. ... when in fact people wouldn't know that i took her on as a foster "no questions asked."

~ ~ ~

As for the size of the park. We have one near here that is 24.9 acres! :- D I LOVE it! The dogs love it too of course.

It's rare that someone can't catch their dog when it's time to go home. Usually the dogs are begging their owners to take them home. LOL It's a big place with lots for them to do.

[ramanth]

So when is this play date at this park? Date and time?

Play Dates are members only and then next one is March 10th from 2-4 p.m.

To become a member visit: http://www.lansingdogparks.com/membership.html

For more information on upcoming Play Date: http://www.lansingdogparks.com/e-news/Lansing%20Unleashed%20E-News%20022207.Play_Sessions.pdf

Once the park opens, it's open to the public. Membership fees just get you special perks and is a way for us to generate the funds we need asides from general donations.

:)

[crow_noir]

If i lived closer I'd consider joining.


Play Dates are members only and then next one is March 10th from 2-4 p.m.

To become a member visit: http://www.lansingdogparks.com/membership.html

For more information on upcoming Play Date: http://www.lansingdogparks.com/e-news/Lansing%20Unleashed%20E-News%20022207.Play_Sessions.pdf

Once the park opens, it's open to the public. Membership fees just get you special perks and is a way for us to generate the funds we need asides from general donations.

:)

[ItarilleAncalim]

erm, one question on the size... How easy would it to be to lose a blue heeler/beagle mix at this park... :(

[Cinder & Smoke]

How easy would it to be to lose a blue heeler/beagle mix at this park... :(

Ooooh, Pretty "Easy"! :eek: :p

I've done a "lap" around the 2 acre Findlay Dawg Park trying to attract Bowser's "attention" -
more than once!
(He can do a pretty *quick* 3-Step & Shuffle when he puts his mind to it!)

But in reality, with a few "helpers" assisting, even a determined Hide & Seeker
can't stay "gone" forever in 17 acres.

If you're really worried, go to one of the nevelty shops or a farm supply store -
they both sell "Bells" of various sizes ... pick up a Brass Bell and a snap hook ...
*Hook* the bell to said Blue Heeler/Beagle's collar and you've got an Auto-locating Dawg!

:D

[ramanth]

erm, one question on the size... How easy would it to be to lose a blue heeler/beagle mix at this park... :(
The pond takes up a good chunk out of the middle, so it's not 17 acres of land.

I have a Husky/blue heeler mix, but she has mild seperation anxiety and won't go too far from where I am. Even if she does get out of sight, I never worry about her never coming back. The park is fenced in and she'll appear eventually. :)

[k9krazee]

Got an email and it said the park should be opening in the next couple of weeks!

We're excited!

[ramanth]

:D

Yep, they are keeping me on my toes with updating the website.

[Cinder & Smoke]

E-Mail dated July 12, 2007 >>>

Hello Friends of Greater Lansing Dog Parks:

Update on Opening the Soldan Dog Park:
We just learned some good news and bad news from Ingham County Parks Department. (They are the primary staff helping to get the park ready to be opened.) First the bad news: There is still much work to be done in clearing the pathways and preparing walking paths in our large park. Items needed for a successful public dog park (think rules signage, poop bags, porta-jon, pet and human water fountain) still need to be installed. Sturdy rye grass needs to be planted in bare areas and given a short time to root. Another challenge: We walked the park a few days ago and discovered that there is much more poison ivy than ever anticipated, not only in green areas next to the path but also on some areas of the walking path. You may have read recent news reports of the proliferation of poison ivy; our park is an undeveloped wooded area we want to retain as much as possible but without the large quantities of poison ivy. People can be trained to avoid it, but not unleashed dogs. These are all things that have to be completed before the start of the high level of usage we are expecting.

Right now we do not have a projected target date for opening the dog park, though we hope it will be in the early part of August. (Yes, we are as frustrated as you are with the wait, maybe more so.) Ingham County Parks has just taken over Potter Park Zoo and their first priority for the work crews is at the zoo, which is facing a major accreditation visit in July. We are discussing the possibility of recruiting volunteers from our membership to help with some of the work. We know that everyone is anxiously awaiting the park opening (believe us, we are getting your calls and the emails) but please do not try to use the park just yet. The gates are closed for now. You may still walk with your dog on leash in the adjacent Scott Woods Park as well as many other parks in the area, of course. Information will be available on this website when the park is open to the public.

Small Dog Area (Now for the really good news): Ingham County Parks Department, with the approval of Ingham County Parks Commission, has agreed to fund the additional approximately $5000 needed to enclose a small dog area within the Soldan Dog Park! As you know, we have located what we think is the best spot for a small dog area; it is the SE corner of the park right by the main entrance and would be an area approximately 85 feet by 110 feet. (This is the largest area possible to still be in the front of the park). The fencing for the small dog area is tentatively scheduled to be installed in the next few weeks and should be ready when the Soldan Dog Park opens.

We sincerely thank our members who have already donated funds toward the small dog area. Your donations will go towards any extra costs needed for the small dog area and startup costs for the park.

What about updates? Our members will get the very first notification when the park is ready to be used.

That is all for now. Woof! Stay in touch through our web site at: www.lansingunleashed.com (http://www.lansingunleashed.com)

Posted by Phred

[crow_noir]

Given the choice of waiting or being covered in itchy red oozing welts, i think most people will choose to wait. ;-)

[ramanth]

Yeah, we're all pretty sad about the delay, but I'd rather get all that stuff out because I'm very allergic to poison ivy.

[Cinder & Smoke]

I'd rather get all that stuff out because
I'm very allergic to poison ivy.

:eek:

ME too! :(

And the Muttz are QUITE Skillful in "spreading" it around!

Dunno WHO DUN IT ... but Clipp, Clopp, or FluffieBall managed to bring some
home at the Ranch a couple months ago ... just as this year's "crop" blossemed!
:mad:

Takes a day or so before you realize :eek: - it's prolly Poison Ivy ...
then another day to decide YOU haven't been near the stuff ...
so - WHERE'd it COME from??

I took all three to the BigLake and *tossed* 'em in! :p

(And smeared "Itch Stop Goo" all over my hands, arms, and legs.) :mad:

:rolleyes:

[ramanth]

Icky!!! The worst time was when I walked through some smoke while helping my dad burn down some brush on our property. Shortly after I had a hard time breathing. Docs took a look with a scope and said I inhaled burning poison ivy! :eek: :( Not a fun series of shots.

Been lucky so far this summer. *knock on wood*

[ramanth]

Mayor Virg Bernero,
The LANSING CITY COUNCIL
and
the Ingham County
Board of Commissioners

Invite you to celebrate
the Grand Opening of the
Howard & Erna Soldan
Dog Park

With a
“Leash” Cutting

Monday, September 17th, 2007

Beginning at 11:30am

The dog park is located in Scott Woods and access is gained by parking at the rear (north end) of the Hawk Island Parking Lot

1601 E. Cavanaugh in Lansing

(follow the dog park parking signs)

Refreshments will be provided

The Leash Cutting will be held rain or shine

[k9krazee]

*sigh* I saw that in my email this morning. Why does it have to be on a weekday? :(

[ramanth]

Yeah, I was hoping for a weekend too but they had to go by the schedules of the mayor and board of commisioners. I take it you have to work?

[k9krazee]

No, I'm up at school.

[ramanth]

What?? You're choosing an edjumacation over the dog park? ;) :p :D

I wouldn't fret about missing it. However, since it'll be officially open after the 17th, we'll have to make plans to visit together. :D

[k9krazee]

Oh of course!!!! :D Maybe after the September 22nd thing? Maybe? Or Sunday? Haha

[crow_noir]

That sounds like fun! Could I come too if you go on Sat?


Oh of course!!!! :D Maybe after the September 22nd thing? Maybe? Or Sunday? Haha

[ramanth]

Saturday the 22nd would depend on our timing. I usually don't work Sat. but traded a shift with someone. I have to be to work at 4 p.m. If we got done with the CAHS Hike in time for some dog park action, I'm game. :)