Lansing, MI ~ Dog Park Grand Opening ~ June

[k9krazee]

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

We're excited!

[ramanth]

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

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.

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!


Takes a day or so before you realize - 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!

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

[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! Not a fun series of shots.

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